Boosting Semiconductor Efficiency: University of Arizona’s Pioneering Projects
The escalating energy demands of semiconductor-based technology have prompted innovative solutions from University of Arizona engineers. With backing from the National Science Foundation’s Future of Semiconductors (FuSe2) program, two groundbreaking projects are underway, each aiming to address the pressing energy consumption challenges posed by ubiquitous semiconductor applications.
As reported by the U.S. Department of Energy, energy usage linked to semiconductor technology has been doubling every three years, with potential to account for 20% of global energy by 2030. This surge underscores the urgent need for efficient solutions in the semiconductor industry, which FuSe2-funded research aims to tackle.
The University of Arizona’s College of Engineering is at the forefront of this initiative, leveraging its expertise in wireless communication and computer memory systems. Each of the two projects has been allocated $1.9 million over a span of three years, focusing on enhancing energy efficiency and technological capability.
Tomás Díaz de la Rubia, U of A’s senior vice president of research and innovation, emphasized the significance of these efforts: “Semiconductor technology is foundational to our modern economy and critical to addressing the grand challenges of our time, from energy efficiency to advanced computing to national security.”
Advancements in Next-Gen Wireless Communication
Leading one of the projects, Regents Professor Marwan Krunz is working on developing a microchip that promises a 10 to 100-fold increase in energy efficiency for next-generation wireless communication systems. As the head of the U of A WISPER center, Krunz is spearheading efforts to enhance both the functionality and security of these systems, with Arizona State University leading the overall project.
Revolutionizing Computer Memory Systems
Professor Weigang Wang is directing a project focusing on innovative materials and devices intended to drastically cut energy waste in computer memory systems. His team’s work could potentially make these systems up to 100 times faster and enable further miniaturization of electronic devices. The U of A has secured $1.1 million of the total funding for this project.
Highlighting the urgency of these innovations, the Semiconductor Research Corporation’s Decadal Plan for Semiconductors warns of the need for “revolutionary changes to computing” due to the slow pace of global energy production increases.
Liesl Folks, U of A vice president of semiconductor strategy, noted, “The teams are tackling core technical challenges for advanced technologies that will improve communications and computing while reducing energy consumption.”
Exploring New Frontiers with Spintronics
Wang’s team is breaking new ground by investigating magnetic tunnel junctions, which offer a promising alternative to traditional transistors. By utilizing the spin of electrons instead of charge, these devices could significantly reduce energy consumption in computing tasks.
The team’s focus on antiferromagnetic materials aims to overcome limitations associated with ferromagnetic electrodes, potentially enabling information to persist without power and allowing for denser packaging of components. Wang describes this approach as akin to “the magnet on your refrigerator door that can stay in place for 10 years.”
Engaging Future Innovators
Both projects are also committed to involving students at all levels, fostering the next generation of semiconductor industry professionals. Collaborations with local high schools, like Sunnyside High School, aim to inspire excitement and engagement with cutting-edge technology.
According to Folks, “It is so important that we involve teachers and students in the development of new technologies so that they are excited about what the future holds.”
Read More Here
