The MOSIS 2.0 Developer Workshop in Arlington, Virginia on Sept 12, 2025, opened with a panel discussion led by Michael Haney, Deputy Director of California DREAMS and former director of MOSIS 2.0. The session, “Strategic Leadership through Accelerated Prototyping,” brought together leaders from government and industry to share perspectives on how MOSIS 2.0 can expand its impact.

The panelists included Tim Morgan,Technical Director of the Microelectronics Commons; Eric Makara, 5G/6G Lead of the Microelectronics Commons; Scott Bukofsky, Senior Vice President for Microelectronics at the National Security Technology Accelerator (NSTXL); and Victor Mai, Deputy Director of the Microelectronics Commons at NSTXL.

Maximizing Impact to Government Programs

The panel identified several key areas where MOSIS 2.0 can enhance its value to government research programs. The discussions highlighted the importance of strengthening the pipeline between research labs and production facilities. While the Commons overview chart has many arrows, “one of the most important is the one between the labs and the production facilities.” Government researchers often have strong ideas but not the resources to carry them forward. MOSIS 2.0 can play a central role by helping those ideas move out of labs and into production.

Access remains a significant challenge for many innovators working with traditional commercial foundries and electronic design automation vendors. The complexity of contracting processes often creates barriers that discourage smaller research teams and defense researchers from pursuing their ideas. By establishing pre-negotiated agreements and streamlined systems, MOSIS 2.0 can eliminate these administrative burdens and allow researchers to focus on innovation rather than procurement challenges.

The discussion emphasized visibility and the importance of marketing for maximizing government impact. Panelists stressed that MOSIS 2.0 must raise its profile so government and academic users know the service is available. Many potential users in government and academic settings remain unaware of the specialized services available through the platform. A comprehensive awareness campaign highlighting the unique access and differentiated services that MOSIS 2.0 provides could significantly expand its user base and impact.

The platform functions as a consolidated access model designed to serve both commercial and government requirements. This dual-purpose approach, combined with MOSIS 2.0’s inherent adaptability and agility, positions it as an essential pipeline that government agencies can leverage to access new technologies and emerging opportunities in microelectronics prototyping.

Scaling to Support Broader DoD Requirements

Expanding MOSIS 2.0’s capacity to address diverse Department of Defense needs requires a strategic approach that balances focus with growth potential. Participants drew parallels between MOSIS 2.0 and a startup venture, arguing that establishing credibility must precede any efforts to achieve scale. The panel recognized the challenge this presents given the diverse nature of DoD requirements, and suggested that maintaining focus on a single domain and demonstrating success there would create the necessary foundation for future expansion into other areas.

The panel emphasized that in the early stages, credibility takes priority over scale. They noted that when designers entrust their projects to MOSIS 2.0, they are placing considerable faith in the system’s ability to deliver accurate results on schedule, observing that “no customer wants to be the guinea pig” in an unproven process. To build this essential trust, they recommended that MOSIS 2.0 should thoroughly validate its workflows with both foundries and design tools before researchers begin using the system, ensuring that users can engage with full confidence in the platform’s reliability.

Emerging Defense Application Opportunities

Significant opportunities exist across multiple domains for designers working on defense applications, with particularly strong demand emerging in wireless communications capabilities. The integration of machine learning and artificial intelligence is creating new possibilities for innovative design approaches, including advanced filter design, inverse design methodologies, and the creation of non-intuitive architectures that provide enhanced security features, defense-in-depth capabilities, anti-tamper protection, and resistance to reverse engineering.

The challenge in many defense applications lies not in the technical design work itself, but in clearly defining requirements. Even within established defense programs, specifications can be ambiguous as end users often seek broad capabilities rather than specific technological solutions. This creates opportunities for flexible platforms like MOSIS 2.0 that can adapt to evolving requirements.

The breadth of available technological approaches through MOSIS 2.0 and the broader Commons network provides designers with multiple pathways to solve complex problems. Options range from advanced node monolithic designs to mature node solutions utilizing sophisticated packaging techniques. This diversity of approaches allows designers to access comprehensive expertise and select the most appropriate technological path for their specific applications.

Success in defense applications requires careful alignment of innovations with clearly defined operational needs. Companies that have successfully integrated into both defense industrial base and commercial markets have typically achieved this by designing specifically for defense requirements while maintaining commercial viability.

Connecting to Programs of Record

The relationship between MOSIS 2.0 capabilities and formal programs of record presents both opportunities and challenges. Programs of record, which represent capabilities that military services commit to sustaining over extended periods, typically have very low risk tolerance and focus on established technologies. This makes them less suitable for bleeding-edge design work that characterizes much of MOSIS 2.0’s current portfolio.

More immediate opportunities exist in defense demonstrations and prototyping efforts that showcase new capabilities to senior decision-makers. These programs operate with higher risk tolerance and shorter timelines, making them better aligned with MOSIS 2.0’s current capabilities. Demonstration programs serve as proving grounds for technologies that may eventually transition to programs of record.

To maintain relevance for DoD applications, MOSIS 2.0 should focus on making its offerings as close to commercial off-the-shelf solutions as possible. This could include developing repositories of proven intellectual property blocks that enable rapid reuse, or maintaining inventories of completed chips that government users can quickly access for demonstrations and evaluations.

Improving Pipe Cleaner Projects

Pipe cleaner projects serve a vital role in increasing the transition rate from laboratory concepts to fabricated solutions. These initiatives create essential connections between laboratories and fabrication facilities, helping diverse stakeholders learn to collaborate effectively. By facilitating communication and establishing common technical languages, pipe cleaner projects enable rapid translation of innovations and create lasting relationships that accelerate future collaborations.

The portfolio of pipe cleaner projects is expanding rapidly, making prioritization increasingly important. The key is identifying which connections most need strengthening and focusing resources on those areas. Projects that demonstrate wide-ranging benefits for overall hub sustainability and operational models should receive priority consideration.

Successful pipe cleaner projects create lasting value by establishing working relationships and proven workflows that can be rapidly replicated for future innovations. This multiplier effect makes them particularly valuable investments for building MOSIS 2.0’s long-term impact and effectiveness.

Path to Sustainability

The potential for MOSIS 2.0 to become a self-sustaining service provider depends heavily on establishing diverse revenue streams and sustainable business models. Commons hubs are already planning for fiscal year 2027 and beyond, requiring consideration of funding sources including commercial revenue, government-sponsored research and development programs, and regional initiatives.

The competitive landscape presents both challenges and opportunities. While the field is not overcrowded, established players have already secured positions with major foundries and shuttle services. Companies with decades of experience in multi-project wafer services have built substantial market presence, creating a competitive environment that requires clear differentiation.

Success beyond the Commons program will require addressing fundamental business questions including go-to-market strategy, funding sources, and team composition. The centralization of shared capabilities such as electronic design automation tools, multi-project wafer access, design services, and IP management could provide competitive advantages, but the venture will need to demonstrate clear value propositions that distinguish it from existing alternatives.

Building a Sustainable National Network

MOSIS 2.0’s role in a sustainable national microelectronics network centers on developing trust relationships with both fabrication facilities and customers. Like an independent insurance agent who finds optimal solutions for each client, MOSIS 2.0 must position itself as an advocate for customer success rather than simply a service provider.

The broader Commons network encompasses hubs with diverse operating models and focus areas, making collaboration essential for network-level sustainability. Long-range market analysis similar to DARPA’s Next Generation Microelectronics Manufacturing efforts could help align roadmaps across hubs and create productive synergies throughout the network.

The engineering expertise within MOSIS 2.0, particularly through the Prototype Integration and Engineering Services team, represents a key asset for sustainable operations. The diverse skill sets of these engineers enable them to contribute across multiple projects and design challenges, providing the cross-cutting capabilities essential for long-term viability.

Financial sustainability alone may prove challenging without particularly favorable foundry agreements, but the value proposition extends beyond simple cost considerations. The complexity and challenges inherent in design work and tape-out processes create demand for trusted partners who can navigate these difficulties successfully. By positioning itself as the standard solution for DoD microelectronics prototyping through consolidated services and strong institutional relationships, MOSIS 2.0 can build sustainable value beyond pure cost competition.

In closing, the panel underscored that MOSIS 2.0 sits at a pivotal moment, both a startup proving its credibility and a bridge builder linking labs, fabs, and defense needs. The discussion made clear that success will depend not just on technology access, but on trust, awareness, and a clear value proposition that sets MOSIS 2.0 apart in a competitive landscape. By streamlining access, aligning innovations with real-world requirements, and fostering collaboration across the Commons, MOSIS 2.0 has the opportunity to become more than a service: it can be the trusted connector and enabler of a sustainable national microelectronics network. 

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Published on November 5th, 2025

Last updated on November 5th, 2025