Guidelines For A Single-Nanometer Magnetic Tunnel Junction (MTJ)


A technical paper titled “Single-nanometer CoFeB/MgO magnetic tunnel junctions with high-retention and high-speed capabilities” was published by researchers at Tohoku University, Université de Lorraine, and Inamori Research Institute for Science. Abstract: "Making magnetic tunnel junctions (MTJs) smaller while meeting performance requirements is critical for future electronics with spin-... » read more

VCMA-Controlled MTJ Devices For Probabilistic Computing Applications


A technical paper titled “Probabilistic computing with voltage-controlled dynamics in magnetic tunnel junctions” was published by researchers at Northwestern University, University of Messina, Western Digital Corporation, and Universitat Jaume I. Abstract: "Probabilistic (p-) computing is a physics-based approach to addressing computational problems which are difficult to solve by convent... » read more

Feasibility of Using Domain Wall-Magnetic Tunnel Junction for Magnetic Analog Addressable Memories


A new technical paper titled "Domain Wall-Magnetic Tunnel Junction Analog Content Addressable Memory Using Current and Projected Data" was published by researchers at UT Austin and Samsung Advanced Institute of Technology (SAIT). Abstract "With the rise in in-memory computing architectures to reduce the compute-memory bottleneck, a new bottleneck is present between analog and digital conver... » read more

MTJ-based Circuits Provide Low-Cost, Energy Efficient Solution For Future Hardware Implementation in SC Algorithms


A review paper titled "Review of Magnetic Tunnel Junctions for Stochastic Computing" was published by researchers at University of Minnesota Twin Cities. Funding agencies include Semiconductor Research Corporation (SRC), CAPSL, NIST, DARPA and others. Abstract: "Modern computing schemes require large circuit areas and large energy consumption for neuromorphic computing applications, such as... » read more

Testing Embedded MRAM IP For SoCs


The challenges of embedded memory test and repair are well known, including maximizing fault coverage to prevent test escapes and using spare elements to maximize manufacturing yield. With the surge in availability of promising non-volatile memory architectures to augment and potentially replace traditional volatile memories, a new set of SoC level memory test and repair challenges are emerging... » read more

Power/Performance Bits: Jan. 22


Efficient neural net training Researchers from the University of California San Diego and Adesto Technologies teamed up to improve neural network training efficiency with new hardware and algorithms that allow computation to be performed in memory. The team used an energy-efficient spiking neural network for implementing unsupervised learning in hardware. Spiking neural networks more closel... » read more

Can Graphene Be Mass Manufactured?


Since the isolation of graphene in 2004, the high mobility and unique transport properties of 2-dimensional semiconductors have tantalized physicists and materials scientists. Their in-plane carrier transport and lack of dangling bonds potentially can minimize line/edge scattering and other effects of extreme scaling. While 2-D materials cannot compete with silicon at current device dime... » read more

Power/Performance Bits: May 22


Sensing without battery power Engineers at the National University of Singapore developed an IoT-focused sensor chip that can continue operating when its battery runs out of energy. The chip, BATLESS, uses a power management technique that allows it to self-start and continue to function under dim light without any battery assistance. The chip can operate in two different modes: minimum-ene... » read more

Power/Performance Bits: May 24


Reducing MRAM chip area Researchers from Tohoku University developed a technology to stack magnetic tunnel junctions (MTJ) directly on the via without causing deterioration to its electric/magnetic characteristics. The team focused on reducing the memory cell area of spin-transfer torque magnetic random access memory (STT-MRAM) in order to lower manufacturing costs, making them more compe... » read more