[ambrose2]

I used to work in R&D for leading edge node development and we had a couple night shift technicians to unblock long running high priority tests. However, we could have iterated much faster if we had dozens of engineers running additional tests at night. Some tests require you to be there at the tool to change temp and so on. And there are ton of possible tests you can do. If you get a result back in the middle of the night and have engineers to review the results and configure a new test then and there, that’s a much faster learning cycle time.

Another advantage of TSMC is how they have enough fab space dedicated to R&D that they can run prototypes through quicker because they aren’t competing with manufacturing to get processed.

[azinman2]

So if it’s so successful why doesn’t Intel etc just copy this process?

[foota]

Cost and culture? I don't know that most 20 year intel employees in Beaverton are going to be willing to do night shifts.

[marcosdumay]

Worse yet, Moore's law was basically an automatic monopoly for anybody that had a much more productive R&D than the others. But we are only noticing the gains now, that the law is gone for years already.

Maybe the culture thing is really pervasive. It wouldn't be a first.

[CitizenKane]

To add to what others said here, another salient factor is that in Taiwan it's pretty possible to get late night food, drink, and other things. These things are almost non-existent in the US which would make working night shifts extra rough.

[pests]

Some things are hard.