Corvallis Microfluidics Tech Hub
Lead Agency: Oregon State University
State Served: Oregon
Applicant-Defined Region: Corvallis, Oregon Small rural Metropolitan Statistical Area (MSA) with MSA partners (Portland-Vancouver -Hillsboro, OR-WA; Salem, OR; Eugene-Springfield, OR and the small rural MSA, Albany-Lebanon, OR) and Native American communities.
Core Technology Area: microfluidics
Contact: Tom Weller (tom.weller@oregonstate.edu)
Media Contact: Michael Collins (Michael.collins@oregonstate.edu)
Organizational Link: https://cormictechhub.org/
The Corvallis Microfluidics Tech Hub (CorMic), led by Oregon State University, aims to establish global leadership in the development, scaling, and commercialization of microfluidics technology for use in semiconductor cooling, continuous flow processing, and biotechnology. By creating a platform for high-performance computing, biotechnology, advanced energy, and advanced materials, this Tech Hub will enable manufacturing companies to collaboratively demonstrate microfluidics technologies across a range of products, including semiconductor manufacturing and bioscience, which will mitigate supply chain risks and contribute to advancing a technology central to our national security.
CorMic seeks to take advantage of the semiconductor industry’s transition to liquid cooling of integrated circuits, as well as other emergent microfluidics applications, by transforming Oregon into an internationally leading center for microfluidics research and manufacturing.
The consortium’s proposal plans to:
- Establish and equip a shared CorMic Foundry to provide tools and services for product development, commercialization, and high-volume manufacturing to end-user companies and startups;
- Deploy accelerator programming unique to the microfluidics industry, with direct access to entrepreneur support, startup funding, and scale-up consulting;
- Build a world-class microfluidics workforce by forming an industry-led partnership of companies, universities, workforce development organizations, community colleges, and other institutions focused on inclusive outreach, training, and education; and
- Govern the consortium, including strategic planning, organization, execution, and evaluation of programs, to create a globally leading microfluidics economic engine in the region.
To ensure that the impacts of the Tech Hub project benefit the entire region, the consortium is committed to maximizing use of organized labor; integrating diversity, equity, and inclusion principles in program design; and partnering with area stakeholders to ensure affordable, residential housing for the region’s growing microfluidics workforce.
This summary is based on information submitted by the applicants.
Strategy Development Grant Amount: $500,000
Designee Narrative (PDF) (submitted by the designee in its Phase 2 application package)
Additional Designations Earned in Region
