Development of Advanced Bio-Based Materials from Feedstock to Fab

This project will develop high-performance, cost-competitive, and bio-based polymers for use as photoresists in semiconductor manufacturing and other advanced materials applications. The semiconductor industry relies on light-responsive organic polymers known as photoresists to pattern electronic features with nanoscale fidelity. Despite their critical importance, the photoresist supply chain is extremely fragile and resource intensive, relying entirely on fossil-derived chemicals sourced from overseas. Through multi-disciplinary biological, chemical, and materials engineering, we will transform renewable agricultural byproducts into sustainable photoresist materials, ultimately reducing supply chain risk, cutting carbon emissions, and establishing a domestic production pathway for a strategically critical material.

“Our project aims to advance the use of bio-based materials beyond proof-of-concept demonstrations and into advanced material applications. Our team brings together expertise in genetic engineering, fermentation science, materials science, and nanofabrication to transform renewable, waste-derived feedstocks into critical materials used in semiconductor manufacturing. The impact of this work will be reduced supply chain risk and increased domestic production for strategically critical materials, as well as cleaner manufacturing processes with lower carbon emissions.”

Ryan Cardiff, PhD Candidate in Molecular Engineering, University of Washington