U.VA. ENGINEERING SCHOOL TO ASSIST VIRGINIA'S
GROWING MICROELECTRONICS INDUSTRY

	CHARLOTTESVILLE, Va., Nov. 23 -- The University of
Virginia's School of Engineering and Applied Science is launching an
institute that will assist the high-technology industries that are
emerging across the state.  With the aid of an investment in
technology and services by IBM valued at $1 million, the U.Va.
Institute for Microelectronics (VIM) begins operating on Dec. 2.
	What will set VIM apart from other initiatives will be its
ability to build partnerships between industry and higher education
that can move quickly to exploit a broad array of opportunities in
microelectronic technologies.
	VIM will draw on the engineering school's wide range of
expertise to foster new advances in electronic materials and
devices, and in the design and production of microprocessors and
other complex microelectronics systems.  VIM expects to serve as a
valuable resource for the semiconductor producers that establish
major fabrication plants in Virginia.
	"We plan to build on our faculty strength to seek
partnerships with industry through this new institute," said Richard
W. Miksad, dean of U.Va.'s school of engineering. "Our strategy is
to sharpen our focus in areas in which we can play a leadership
role.  This effort in microelectronics, which includes several
engineering disciplines, is the first step in this direction.  We
are fortunate to have IBM as an early supporter of this venture."
	Miksad has appointed U.Va. professor of electrical
engineering Barry W. Johnson as VIM's first director.  "Barry's
broad background and knowledge of microelectronics -- from systems
to devices -- provide the skills needed to lead VIM," Miksad said.
In addition, Miksad noted that John C. Bean, an
internationally-renowned expert in microelectronics and
semiconductor technology and a former AT&T Bell Labs researcher,
will join the faculty this spring.  Bean will play a key role in the
research activities of VIM and in developing research relationships
with industry.
	To help establish the institute, IBM is providing an
investment of computer technology and related support valued at
nearly $1 million.  IBM's involvement in the microelectronics
institute builds on a growing research alliance with the engineering
school, which includes several collaborative projects among U.Va.
faculty and IBM researchers.  The University and the engineering
school are providing additional resources to the institute.
	IBM has long been a strong supporter of university
research.  "There is great value in fostering development in key
technology ares, and this alliance builds on existing and growing
strengths in microelectronics at U.Va.'s engineering school," said
John E. Kelly III, vice president of strategy, technology and
operations for IBM Microelectronics.  "It also builds on a broader
relationship between U.Va. and IBM that extends from research
collaborations and the testing of new technology applications to the
hiring of skilled U.Va. graduates," said Kelly.
	IBM and three other major computer industry manufacturers --
Toshiba, Siemens and Motorola -- last fall announced plans to build
semiconductor plants in Virginia.  Dominion Semiconductor, a joint
venture between IBM and Toshiba Corp., is currently completing the
first of these fabrication plants in Manassas.  Staffing is underway
in anticipation of launching production in late 1997.
	"These businesses will act as magnets to attract other high
technology industries to Virginia and will create an even greater
need for design and manufacturing engineers trained in
microelectronics," Miksad said.  "We expect VIM to play a key role
in this process."
	U.Va.'s institute will coordinate research now being
conducted under other auspices in the engineering school and will
involve faculty from the departments of computer science, electrical
engineering, materials science and engineering, systems engineering,
and mechanical, aerospace and nuclear engineering.  "VIM will
identify and support key technologies in microelectronics research,
while strengthening the engineering school's academic programs al
all levels," said Barry Johnson, VIM's new director.
	VIM's activities will provide opportunities for student
internships and bring industry expertise directly into the classroom
through faculty/industry exchanges.  The institute will focus on a
number of research initiatives including:
	¥  design for semiconductor manufacturability
	¥  sub-micron technologies
    	¥  microsystems and adaptive microinstruments
   	¥  high performance optical and electronic devices
	The institute's operations, which initially will be
supported by the engineering school, will have a budget of more than
$350,000 over the next two years.  VIM will seek additional industry
partners and state funding to broaden its base of support.
 	VIM also plans to extend its partnership program to small
and mid-sized companies around the state, enabling other businesses
to tap into the institute's research and development capabilities.
###
November 22, 1996
	For more information, call Charlotte Crystal, U.Va.
information officer, at (804) 924 6858.  Television reporters should
call our  TV News Office at  (804) 924-7550.