FUNDING$500MSandboxAQ Wins $500M CHIPS Award -- and Hands the US Government an Equity StakeThe Department of Commerce signed a definitive $500M CHIPS Act R&D award with Nvidia-backed SandboxAQ to use AI-driven materials discovery for PFAS-free process chemicals, advanced catalysts, rare-earth-free magnets, and battery systems. In a notable twist, Commerce takes a minority, non-controlling equity stake in the company in return.Jun 17, 2026