Call for Research in Logic and Memory Devices

• Overview
• Research Needs
• White Paper Guidelines
• Timetable and Deadlines

Overview

Semiconductor Research Corp. (SRC) Global Research Collaboration (GRC) is soliciting white papers in the thrust area of Logic and Memory Devices. The principal goals of this discovery-driven program are to advance fundamental knowledge and innovations in these devices.

This call, issued to universities worldwide, may be addressed by an individual investigator or a research team. Our selection process is divided into two stages. The interested parties are requested to submit a brief 2-page white paper. The white paper should clearly identify what can be done in two years, as well as what additionally could be done if a third year is requested. (Please specify the third-year goals separately.) Two-year-only white papers are also acceptable. A successfully selected white paper will result in an invitation to submit a full proposal, with recommendation that the proposal will be written for 2 years or 3 years. These proposals will be further down-selected for research contracts. The number and size of the contracts awarded will be determined by the amount of available funds, and by the number of high-quality proposals. The anticipated funding level per task is in the range of $75K to $100K per year, which includes the overhead expenses charged by the institution. Proposals offering funding leverage are strongly encouraged and should be indicated. (Leverage is other funding resources related and beneficial to the proposed work.) There is no limit on the number of submissions from each researcher.

Research Needs

Our research needs are summarized in a report recently prepared by our Logic and Memory Devices Technical Advisory Board. This document (Research Needs Document (click here)) summarizes and explains all relevant research topics in this call. These topics are repeated here as:

1) Logic devices:
        1a) Beyond CMOS devices
        1b) MOSFET-like structures with steep subthreshold slope
        1c) MOSFETs with high-mobility channel materials
2) Optimization of junctions and contacts
3) Fundamental understanding of nonvolatile memory cells
4) Two-terminal selection devices for memory arrays
5) Revolutionary SRAM and DRAM replacement solutions
6) Simulation/modeling for processes, materials, phenomena, and devices
7) Other topics

We encourage submissions in these areas of high priorities which will be weighted more favorably, although all submissions will be considered for special quality and insight.

White Paper Guidelines

White Papers are limited to 2 pages total, using a minimum of 10-point font size, and must be submitted via the SRC web-site by April 28, 2015 no later than 3PM EDT/ 12PM PDT.  Submissions not in compliance with all guidelines will be excluded from consideration.

Please include the following identifying information in your White Paper:

• Project title
• Investigator(s) and university.  
• Principal investigator’s contacts (telephone number, mailing address, and e-mail address).

Please address the following topics in your White Paper:

• Background: Emphasize area and problem to be addressed; match most relevant topic addressed (Item #) in Research Needs. Describe why research is being done. Rationalize value in terms of semiconductor industry needs.
• Approach: Present your strategy for addressing the problem. Describe important findings from your research to date. State the role of this research in advancing knowledge and state-of-the-art.
• Objective and Results: What you plan to accomplish in a 2-year period. If 3-year plan is proposed, please specify clearly what is expected in the third year separately. What are the anticipated outputs of a successful effort?
• Funding Request and participants: Plan for yearly budget should include overhead charges by your institution. Besides faculty, please also indicate the number of students supported and their degrees pursued.
• Funding Leverage: Leverage funding applicable to the proposed research.
• Background IP: Identify any blocking pre-existing intellectual property on which new results will be based.

Contract Awardees will be expected to:

• Participate in annual project review.
• Interact with liaisons when applicable.
• Submit reports for pre-defined deliverables in proposal.
• Submit publications resulting from sponsored research.
• File patents when applicable.

Timetable and Deadlines

Please direct all technical questions to Kwok Ng, thrust Director  (919) 941-9417. 
All other questions and responses should be directed to Jacquil Toon, (919) 941-9448.