Emerson Partnership Bolsters UT Expertise in Semiconductors, AI

A new partnership between Emerson and The University of Texas at Austin will support advanced research into artificial intelligence, automation, energy, semiconductors and more.

The three-year agreement includes UT research lab upgrades, contributions to help launch the new Semiconductor Science and Engineering master’s degree program, in partnership with the Texas Institute for Electronics (TIE), and help develop the next generation of talent skilled in automation.

More broadly, UT will become a core research partner for Emerson as it delves further into semiconductors, AI, energy and other areas in the future.

“Emerson has been an important partner for UT, the Cockrell School of Engineering and our chemical engineering department for decades,” said Roger Bonnecaze, dean of the Cockrell School and a chemical engineering faculty member. “This investment will strengthen our relationship, further elevate Austin as a national technology leader and push the boundaries of research, innovation and education in semiconductors, energy, AI, automation and more.”

The total value of the agreement is $8.5 million. Emerson has now contributed more than $20 million to UT, primarily to the Cockrell School of Engineering and its McKetta Department of Chemical Engineering, both from the St. Louis-based company and its acquisition of Austin-based National Instruments, now known as Emerson’s test and measurement business.

“This is an exciting new chapter in Emerson’s storied history with The University of Texas at Austin as we build on our vision to accelerate automation and innovation that trans-forms vital industries,” said Lal Karsanbhai, president and CEO of Emerson. “As a company founded on science, engineering and technology, we look forward to working with UT to help prepare tomorrow’s workforce to solve the world’s toughest challenges.”

In support of Emerson’s goal to advance UT’s semiconductor efforts, the company will do-nate technology and equipment to modernize the Montopolis Research Center, the former Sematech facility in South Austin that is being reimagined as part of a $840 million part-nership with DARPA to advance semiconductor research and innovation.

In addition, the company will provide funds to support the first three cohorts of students enrolled in the new 18-month Semiconductor Science and Engineering master’s program, starting fall of 2025.

Emerson’s investment will also contribute to the Engineering Discovery Building (EDB), a new building on the main UT campus that will be the central learning and research space to the McKetta Department of Chemical Engineering and the Hildebrand Department of Petroleum and Geosystems Engineering when it opens in 2026. The building will feature a signature Emerson Lab and be a critical learning environment to thousands of students each year.