US invests $500 million in NVIDIA-backed SandboxAQ to domesticize semiconductor materials
Business
The US government just invested $500 million in SandboxAQ, a startup backed by NVIDIA, as part of its CHIPS Act push.
The big idea? Make key materials for semiconductors right here in the US so the country isn't stuck relying on imports or facing shortages.
SandboxAQ will work on swapping out "forever chemicals" (PFAS), inventing new catalysts, and finding ways to make magnets and batteries without rare earths.
Commerce Department takes non-voting sandboxaq stake
The Commerce Department is taking a small, non-voting stake in SandboxAQ, so if these ideas take off, the government gets a cut of future royalties.
If it all works out, this could really strengthen America's chip supply chain and help tech manufacturing stay local.