How Cool is That - Northrop Grumman’s “World’s Fastest Microchip” won the 2024 “Coolest Thing Made in California” contest, organized by the California Manufacturers & Technology Association (CMTA). Public votes were cast for 138 California-made products in four rounds, culminating in this microchip—boasting speeds up to 1 terahertz—being crowned the winner. Manufactured in Redondo Beach, CA, the chip is 1,000 times faster than smartphone processors and represents California’s cutting-edge manufacturing sector. The contest and award ceremony were celebrated during CMTA’s MakingCA Conference, honoring manufacturing’s $310 billion contribution to the state’s economy.
Doing the Green Wave - NIST scientists have successfully created a compact, full-spectrum laser covering the green-yellow-orange wavelengths, long considered challenging to produce. Traditional semiconductor lasers struggled with green wavelengths due to material limitations, so NIST turned to nonlinear optics, producing different wavelengths by adjusting silicon nitride device geometry and laser input. This breakthrough enables more precise, pure wavelengths ideal for quantum computing, medical devices, and underwater communications. Their method combines pump laser tuning and device adjustments, achieving 150+ wavelengths, demonstrating a significant advancement in accessible, high-quality lasers.
Source: NIST’s Compact Green Semiconductor Laser - IEEE Spectrum
Energy Hero - At the 2024 ITF World conference, AMD CEO Lisa Su spotlighted a new goal: a 100x boost in computing efficiency by 2027. As shrinking transistor sizes yield diminishing returns, materials innovation has become essential for boosting performance and efficiency. Applied Materials has responded with advanced materials engineering solutions, harnessing exotic elements and 3D chip designs to improve efficiency. For instance, Applied’s Integrated Materials Solution™ combines six process technologies to reduce chip wiring resistance by 25%, a critical advance as semiconductor nodes shrink to the atomic scale. These methods promise breakthroughs in power efficiency across AI, personal electronics, and more.
Building Automation of the Future - Imagine a future where every device in newly built structures— from HVAC systems and appliances to light switches and sensors—is equipped with a microprocessor and linked through a reliable communication network. This could transform how buildings operate, yielding substantial benefits across various sectors. Chip manufacturers would see new growth opportunities, while builders could offer smarter, more efficient homes. Consumers would gain convenience and comfort, as buildings could dynamically adjust to personal preferences and real-time needs. For instance, rooms would automatically adapt their temperature as people move through them, making manual thermostat adjustments obsolete. This automated approach wouldn’t just create a more comfortable environment but would also optimize energy use, potentially lowering costs and benefiting the environment.
Source: Building Automation of the Future - EE Times
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Margaret Kindling is Senior Program Manager for Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion at the SEMI Foundation. She promotes inclusion and belonging via Women in Semiconductors, Semiconductor PRIDE and SEMICON West Workforce Development Pavilion programming.
