SandboxAQ seeks PFAS replacements for chipmaking’s toxic chemicals

Since their discovery in 1934, perfluoroalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl substances, or PFAS, have seen expanding use, now becoming critical in surging semiconductor manufacturing despite growing environmental concerns, SandboxAQ says. Semiconductor component maker Brewer Science notes PFAS are used in crucial processes like photolithography, etching, and cleaning, prompting exemptions from recent state bans due to a lack of readily available alternatives. SandboxAQ aims to change that, receiving $500 million through the CHIPS and Science Act to deploy artificial intelligence in researching new chemistries. “SandboxAQ has a goal to find alternative candidates in two to four years using advanced computational methods,” said Stefan Leichenauer, VP of engineering. The Silicon Valley startup will also explore alternatives for rare-earth-free magnets, catalysts, and batteries. The semiconductor industry’s…