U.S. still able to build integrated circuits

U.S. still able to build integrated circuits    The U.S. Commerce Department's Bureau of Industry and Security released a study that concluded U.S. companies retain broad domestic capability to create and build integrated circuit products.
   The Defense Department views integrated circuit design and fabrication as essential strategic capabilities needed to maintain U.S. technological advantage in weapons systems, BIS noted.
   BIS initiated the study, Defense Industrial Base Assessment: U.S. Integrated Circuit Design and Fabrication Capability, in response to a Defense Science Board report that raised concerns about the overseas migration of critical microelectronics technical, human capital and manufacturing capabilities.
   Data collected by BIS from 49 manufacturing and 106 design companies affirmed that the United States retains a broad infrastructure to create a range of conventional and radiation-resistant integrated circuit devices using standard and non-standard semiconductor materials.
   The BIS assessment recommended that the Commerce and Defense departments monitor the health and competitiveness of the U.S. integrated circuit industry on a 'routine basis, and in particular the limited number of companies able to manufacture at cutting-edge technology nodes below 65 nanometers.'
   The report is available on the BIS Web site.