Applied Materials and UCLA Engineering Accelerate Semiconductor Innovation at the EPIC Center
Key Highlights
- ➤UCLA Samueli joins Applied Materials’ EPIC Center as a semiconductor research partner
- ➤EPIC Center R&D targets 3D chip scaling, advanced packaging and energy-efficient AI materials
- ➤Applied Materials says EPIC Center is the largest-ever U.S. investment in advanced semiconductor equipment R&D
- ➤EPIC Center aims to shorten breakthrough chip technologies’ path to full-scale manufacturing
- ➤EPIC Center is on track to become operational in 2026
Expert Statements
Dr. Prabu Raja, President of the Semiconductor Products Group at Applied Materials
“As the industry races to bring new AI chip technologies to market, the EPIC Center will play a pivotal role by convening the industry’s top innovators in a collaborative environment designed to accelerate the path from breakthrough research to full-scale manufacturing”
Dr. Prabu Raja, President of the Semiconductor Products Group at Applied Materials
“UCLA has a long history of semiconductor technology innovation and Applied looks forward to welcoming their researchers to the EPIC Center where together we will work to solve the industry’s toughest challenges.”
Ah-Hyung “Alissa” Park, Ronald and Valerie Sugar Dean of UCLA Samueli
“Accelerating semiconductor innovation in the new era of AI requires transformative collaboration between universities and industry partners more than ever before”
Ah-Hyung “Alissa” Park, Ronald and Valerie Sugar Dean of UCLA Samueli
“UCLA has a long history of pioneering semiconductor research and innovation, and this collaboration builds on that legacy by bringing together university research and industry expertise to advance the chip technologies that will define the future of computing while preparing the next generation of engineers.”
* R&D programs to focus on speeding up the commercialization pipeline so chip technology moves from breakthrough research to full-scale manufacturing faster * Collaborative work at the state-of-the-art facility in Silicon Valley pairs UCLA’s semiconductor research strength with Applied’s cutting-edge chipmaking equipment and process integration expertise SANTA CLARA, Calif., Oct. 08, 2026 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Applied Materials, Inc. today announced that the UCLA Samueli School of Engineering will join the company’s EPIC Center in Silicon Valley as a research partner. Together with Applied’s scientists and engineers, UCLA researchers will work to solve semiconductor materials and integration challenges with a focus on shortening the time it takes to bring breakthrough research to commercialization.
“As the industry races to bring new AI chip technologies to market, the EPIC Center will play a pivotal role by convening the industry’s top innovators in a collaborative environment designed to accelerate the path from breakthrough research to full-scale manufacturing,” said Dr. Prabu Raja, President of the Semiconductor Products Group at Applied Materials. “UCLA has a long history of semiconductor technology innovation and Applied looks forward to welcoming their researchers to the EPIC Center where together we will work to solve the industry’s toughest challenges.”
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