$20million awarded to fund nanoelectronics research

The funding was provided by Semiconductor Research, a university research consortium for semiconductors and related technologies, and the National Science Foundation. Historically, chip manufacturers could double the number of transistors on a chip at half the power for each transistor by shrinking them smaller in each new generation of semiconductor technology. Recently, it has become more difficult to continue the decrease in power needed to switch transistors off and on, choking the pace of product innovation from scaling alone. The 12 interdisciplinary research teams at 24 US universities will focus on discovering a new switch mechanism using nanoelectronic innovations as a replacement for transistors. Jeff Welser, director of the Nanoelectronics Research Initiative for Semiconductor Research, pictured, said: "The search for a new semiconductor device that will provide the US with a leadership position in the global era of nanoelectronics relies on making discoveries at these kinds of advanced universities. These schools have the talent and capabilities needed to produce critical research that helps to raise both our national competitiveness and economic progress. Dr Lawrence Goldberg, senior engineering advisor at the National Science Foundation, added: "This competition, Nanoelectronics for 2020 and Beyond (NEB), is an important component of the National Nanotechnology Initiative Signature Initiative, whose goal is to accelerate the discovery and use of novel nanoscale fabrication processes and innovative concepts to produce revolutionary materials, devices, systems, and architectures to advance the field of nanoelectronics. The cooperation and support of industry in this effort through the Nanoelectronics Research Initiative of the Semiconductor Research Corporation also brings a significant perspective to the grantees' research with opportunities for mentoring of their students."