Currently the United States and the world at large are experiencing a historic semiconductor shortage. As the U.S. government works to address the crisis and reestablish itself as a global leader in the space, it must focus on incentivizing semiconductor fabricators to bring about revolutionary changes that will ensure access to the most advanced microelectronics.

It’s more than just a “nice-to-have” situation; these microchips are needed to power today’s industries and all of tomorrow’s advances, especially as the world transitions to a digital economy. Innovations in finance, healthcare, agriculture, energy, automotive and other industries will be driven by data, and data will be driven by chips. Progress toward that goal will have everything to do with properly applying best-of-breed technology, and that starts at the chip level.

Semiconductors power our phones, computers, TVs and nearly every other electronic device imaginable. They’re not only essential for everyday personal tech, but also for military and defense capabilities, such as drones, jet fighters and advanced weapons systems. They rely on sophisticated chips to keep systems cool while operating, as well as for protective coatings of aerospace craft.

How did we find ourselves in such a dismal chip shortage? Factors include COVID-19; supply miscalculations, especially from the auto industry; Japanese factory fires; closed ports across the world, and a slew of other pandemic-related hiccups. Recently, the U.S. has been a leader in developing the chips of the future, although only 12% of global manufacturing actually takes place stateside. Now is the time for the country to make a strong commitment to development of that technology.

The current shortage should be viewed as as a wakeup call for the U.S. The nation has a chance to make a real effort at rapid progress toward restoring itself as the world’s technological leader through investment in advanced material technology. Much of what we’ve seen from the government to date are broad intentions to address the market, but there must be a more specific focus on efforts to truly revolutionize semiconductor technology, by extending Moore’s Law.

Historically, silicon has been the material of choice for semiconductors, but the material quite simply has reached its technological limits, despite our continued reliance on it. A number of other advanced materials, including lab-grown diamond — the most optimal chip material — offer far more advanced capabilities. Yet despite the promised benefits, industry so far has failed to move beyond silicon. Now, amidst a shortage, we’re forced to focus on manufacturing aging silicon platforms as a means to catch up, even though advanced materials will be key to getting the country back to being the technological champion of the world.

In the U.S. intends to reestablish its leadership position, it will need to value the fabricators and innovators that keep the semiconductor industry competitive today, as well as spur tomorrow’s innovations. Supporting consumers of chips who are impacted by current supply limitations will only halt advances and growth. Failure to address advanced materials is not only detrimental to American competitiveness in semiconductors, but more importantly is a danger to American safety. Continuing to support aging silicon platforms is comparable to investing in stagecoaches after the advent of the internal combustion engine.

Beyond the immediate need to diversify the materials used in semiconductors, the government should invest in advanced material technology as a way to compete with foreign adversaries. Even friendly nations like Japan, Germany and South Korea are prioritizing semiconductor innovation.

U.S. competitors such as China are making firmer commitments to advanced materials, allocating trillions of dollars to becoming leaders in the semiconductor space. They understand the vast benefits of materials beyond silicon, and are implementing the technology to advance their military capabilities.

The progress of international adversaries alone should motivate the U.S. to prioritize the movement away from silicon toward more advanced materials. That, coupled with the fact that the technology enables tomorrow's innovations, makes the need for change a no-brainer.

Adam Khan is chief executive officer and founder of Akhan Semiconductor.

Currently the United States and the world at large are experiencing a historic semiconductor shortage. As the U.S. government works to address the crisis and reestablish itself as a global leader in the space, it must focus on incentivizing semiconductor fabricators to bring about revolutionary changes that will ensure access to the most advanced microelectronics.

It’s more than just a “nice-to-have” situation; these microchips are needed to power today’s industries and all of tomorrow’s advances, especially as the world transitions to a digital economy. Innovations in finance, healthcare, agriculture, energy, automotive and other industries will be driven by data, and data will be driven by chips. Progress toward that goal will have everything to do with properly applying best-of-breed technology, and that starts at the chip level.

Semiconductors power our phones, computers, TVs and nearly every other electronic device imaginable. They’re not only essential for everyday personal tech, but also for military and defense capabilities, such as drones, jet fighters and advanced weapons systems. They rely on sophisticated chips to keep systems cool while operating, as well as for protective coatings of aerospace craft.

How did we find ourselves in such a dismal chip shortage? Factors include COVID-19; supply miscalculations, especially from the auto industry; Japanese factory fires; closed ports across the world, and a slew of other pandemic-related hiccups. Recently, the U.S. has been a leader in developing the chips of the future, although only 12% of global manufacturing actually takes place stateside. Now is the time for the country to make a strong commitment to development of that technology.

The current shortage should be viewed as as a wakeup call for the U.S. The nation has a chance to make a real effort at rapid progress toward restoring itself as the world’s technological leader through investment in advanced material technology. Much of what we’ve seen from the government to date are broad intentions to address the market, but there must be a more specific focus on efforts to truly revolutionize semiconductor technology, by extending Moore’s Law.

Historically, silicon has been the material of choice for semiconductors, but the material quite simply has reached its technological limits, despite our continued reliance on it. A number of other advanced materials, including lab-grown diamond — the most optimal chip material — offer far more advanced capabilities. Yet despite the promised benefits, industry so far has failed to move beyond silicon. Now, amidst a shortage, we’re forced to focus on manufacturing aging silicon platforms as a means to catch up, even though advanced materials will be key to getting the country back to being the technological champion of the world.

In the U.S. intends to reestablish its leadership position, it will need to value the fabricators and innovators that keep the semiconductor industry competitive today, as well as spur tomorrow’s innovations. Supporting consumers of chips who are impacted by current supply limitations will only halt advances and growth. Failure to address advanced materials is not only detrimental to American competitiveness in semiconductors, but more importantly is a danger to American safety. Continuing to support aging silicon platforms is comparable to investing in stagecoaches after the advent of the internal combustion engine.

Beyond the immediate need to diversify the materials used in semiconductors, the government should invest in advanced material technology as a way to compete with foreign adversaries. Even friendly nations like Japan, Germany and South Korea are prioritizing semiconductor innovation.

U.S. competitors such as China are making firmer commitments to advanced materials, allocating trillions of dollars to becoming leaders in the semiconductor space. They understand the vast benefits of materials beyond silicon, and are implementing the technology to advance their military capabilities.

The progress of international adversaries alone should motivate the U.S. to prioritize the movement away from silicon toward more advanced materials. That, coupled with the fact that the technology enables tomorrow's innovations, makes the need for change a no-brainer.

Adam Khan is chief executive officer and founder of Akhan Semiconductor.