The Multi-User Silicon Carbide Research and Fabrication Laboratory (MUSiC) at the University of Arkansas is a first-of-its-kind, open-access semiconductor research facility advancing silicon carbide innovation. Designed to support fabrication, testing, and collaboration, the 22,100-square-foot facility includes eight advanced cleanrooms, specialized laboratories, and flexible research spaces that position the university and Arkansas at the forefront of next-generation semiconductor research and workforce development.
Project Statement
The National Multi-User Silicon Carbide (MUSiC) Research and Fabrication Laboratory at the University of Arkansas in Fayetteville is a first-of-its-kind facility that serves as a national resource for silicon carbide (SiC) research and prototyping, advancing innovation in next-generation energy, transportation, and semiconductor technologies.
The new building is 1-story in height with a footprint area of 22,000 sf and houses eight clean rooms to support laboratory research and fabrication of semiconductors, offices, building support spaces, and core/shell space for future development. While the building itself is simple in form, the internal infrastructure is very complex.
The MUSiC Lab supports work across energy, transportation, data centers, and aerospace applications, providing researchers with the specialized environments required for fabrication and testing. The lab will also serve as a great opportunity for students at the University of Arkansas as well as researchers nationwide. As noted by the University of Arkansas, “By integrating fabrication, design and systems testing, it creates a rare educational pipeline preparing graduates for careers and research in power electronics, energy, and semiconductors. The facility’s open-access model welcomes academic, government, and private-sector collaborators, offering unique opportunities for prototyping, small-volume production and custom process development — all designed to accelerate innovation and workforce readiness.” With its advanced capabilities and open-access model, the project positions Arkansas as home to one of the nation’s leading silicon carbide research and prototyping environments.
