Topic: Novel transistor combines logic and memory functions, drastically reduces power

[Capt. Mike]

Novel transistor combines logic and memory functions, drastically reduces power consumption

  http://www.physorg.com/news/2011-02-transistor-combines-logic-memory-functions.html 


Principles of logic element operation and memory element operation. (a) When a positive voltage is applied to the gate electrode, metal atoms are supplied to the insulator from the gate electrode. (b) When the concentration of metal atoms in the vicinity of the source/drain electrodes exceeds a critical value, the insulator changes to a conductive state. (c) When an even higher voltage is applied, the metal atoms form a cluster. (d) It is necessary to apply a negative voltage in order to dissolve the cluster.

A group headed by Dr. Tsuyoshi Hasegawa, a Principal Investigator at the International Center for Materials Nanoarchitectonics (MANA; Japan), succeeded in the development of a novel transistor, the "atom transistor," which performs both logic and memory functions while reducing power consumption to 1 x 10-6 that of the conventional devices. Logic elements which are capable of retaining their state (i.e., memory) will be indispensible for the development of instant-on personal computers (PC) and other electronic equipment. The development in this work is expected to accelerate the realization of these devices.

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Could be something to follow...

Mike

[Javora]

Actually they have been working on something like this for a little while now, around 2006 I think.  HP made an announcement last year about the Memristor which does roughly the same thing.  It is very interesting technology and will totally change the landscape of our lives.  But from what I have read they are still quite away from bringing this to the masses.  I think we might see this in the next decade though.  Cool find though.