“Innovative Devices for an Era of Connected Intelligence” is the theme of the upcoming 2019 IEEE International Electron Devices Meeting (December 7-11, 2019), chosen to reflect the conference’s focus this year on the processors, memories, 3D architectures, power devices, quantum computing concepts and other technologies needed to drive diverse new applications of electronics technology forward. The 65th annual IEDM will feature a technical program of 238 papers given by many of the world’s top scientists and engineers in the field. It will be preceded by a series of 90-minute tutorials on Saturday, Dec. 7, and by day-long short courses on Sunday, Dec. 8.
Semiconductors
SUTD Physicists Unlock the Mystery of Thermionic Emission in Graphene
Reporting in Physical Review Applied, researchers from the Singapore University of Technology and Design (SUTD) have discovered a general theory that describes the thermionic emission from graphene. By carefully studying the electronic properties of graphene, they have constructed a generalized theoretical framework that can be used to accurately capture the thermionic emission physics in graphene and is suitable for the modeling of a wide range of graphene-based devices.
The Honorable Kevin Rudd to Deliver Keynote Address at 2019 SIA Award Dinner
The Semiconductor Industry Association (SIA), representing U.S. leadership in semiconductor manufacturing, design, and research, today announced The Honorable Kevin Rudd, former prime minister of Australia and current president of the Asia Society Policy Institute, will deliver the keynote address at the 2019 SIA Award Dinner, which will take place on Thursday, Nov. 7 in San Jose, Calif. Rudd will offer insights on the future directions of the U.S.-China trade war, the risks of general economic decoupling, and implications for future collaboration in technology.
Nova’s President & CEO, Eitan Oppenhaim, Joins its Board of Directors
Nova (NASDAQ: NVMI), an innovator and key provider of metrology solutions for advanced process control used in semiconductor manufacturing, announced today the appointment of Eitan Oppenhaim, who has served as Nova’s President & Chief Executive Officer since 2013, to the company’s Board of Directors. “I am excited to join the board and have the opportunity to contribute to the team of directors,” commented Mr. Oppenhaim. “I am sure that this appointment, along with my continuous role as President and CEO, will contribute to the continuing success of our company.”
Keeping Cool with Quantum Wells
University of Tokyo researchers have announced a new approach for electrical cooling without the need for moving parts. By applying a bias voltage to quantum wells made of the semiconductor aluminum gallium arsenide, electrons can be made to shed some of their heat in a process called “evaporative cooling.” Devices based on this principle may be added to electronic circuit boards using conventional semiconductor fabrication methods to help smartphones and laptops avoid performance issues caused by high temperatures.
ClassOne’s Solstice Plating System Chosen by Taiwanese Semiconductor Foundry Yee Wei
Semiconductor equipment manufacturer ClassOne Technology announced the sale of its Solstice electroplating system to Yee Wei Co., Ltd , a semiconductor manufacturing foundry based in Taiwan. The Solstice will be installed in Yee Wei’s manufacturing facility in Toufen City, Taiwan. The Solstice family of wet-processing tools includes the 8-chamber Solstice S8, the 4-chamber Solstice S4 and the 2-chamber Solstice LT. The Solstice platform was specifically designed for ≤200mm wafers, which are used in compound semiconductor, emerging technologies, and numerous other fabs worldwide.
Researchers Repurpose Failed Cancer Drug Into Printable Semiconductor
Many potential pharmaceuticals end up failing during clinical trials, but thanks to new research from the University of Illinois, biological molecules once considered for cancer treatment are now being repurposed as organic semiconductors for use in chemical sensors and transistors. Organic semiconductors are responsible for things like flexible electronics and transparent solar cells, but researchers are working to expand their use in biomedicine and devices that require interaction between electrically active molecules and biological molecules.
Global Market Remains Strong for ALD & CVD Precursors in IC Fabs
TECHCET—the advisory services firm providing electronic materials information— announced that the global market for atomic layer deposition (ALD) and chemical vapor deposition (CVD) precursors is showing strong growth despite semiconductor fabrication market challenges in 2019.
Plessey’s microLED Patented Growth Technology Combines Native Blue and Native Green Epitaxy on a Single Wafer
Plessey, an embedded technologies developer at the forefront of microLED technology for augmented and mixed reality (AR/MR) display applications has extended the capability of their proprietary GaN-on-Silicon process to enable Native Blue and Native Green emission from the same wafer.
Global Semiconductor Sales Down 15.9 Percent Year-to-Year in August
The Semiconductor Industry Association (SIA) today announced worldwide sales of semiconductors were $34.2 billion in August 2019, a decrease of 15.9 percent from the August 2018 total of $40.7 billion but 2.5 percent more than the July 2019 total of $33.4 billion. Monthly sales are compiled by the World Semiconductor Trade Statistics (WSTS) organization and represent a three-month moving average. SIA represents U.S. leadership in semiconductor manufacturing, design, and research.
