$3bn for nanomaterials research
10 Jul 2014
IBM to invest heavily in two key research and development programmes to push the limits of ’chip’ technology.
The $3 billion (£1.9bn) investment in nanoscience technology announced by IBM is designed to meet the emerging demands of cloud computing and big data systems, the company said today.
According to IBM, cloud and big data applications are placing new challenges on systems, just as the underlying chip technology is facing numerous significant physical scaling limits.
“Scaling to 7nm and below is a terrific challenge
Richard Doherty
In particular, IBM Research will use the money to invest in nanoscience and quantum computing research.
One of the ultimate goals is to scale semiconductor technology down from today’s 22 nanometres to seven nanometres within a decade - a feat that will only be made possible through well-placed investment and R&D.
“Scaling to 7nm and below is a terrific challenge, calling for deep physics competencies in processing nano materials affinities and characteristics,” said Richard Doherty, technology research director, The Envisioneering Group.
Another area of interest for IBM Research, and the wider industrial community, is in graphene research.
The development of graphene, a one atom thick carbon sheet, is expected to boost silicon-based technologies by speeding up the rate at which they can conduct heat and electricity.
Its characteristics offer the possibility to build faster switching transistors than are possible with conventional semiconductors, IBM said.
Today’s announcement comes alongside news in June that the University of Surrey, UK will establish a graphene research centre to help understand the practical benefit nanomaterial use may have across industry.
