IEEE Launches Roadmap For Industry Standards In Nanoelectronic Applications

Piscataway, NJ -- Industry standards are needed to help electronic nanotechnology innovations make a smooth transition from laboratory to marketplace in the communications, information technology, consumer products and optoelectronics sectors. In order to define the scope and timing of these standards, the IEEE Standards Association (IEEE-SA) has launched the IEEE Nanoelectronics Standards Roadmap (NESR) initiative and will host a NESR Workshop on May 18 in New York City. It will be co-located with the NanoBusiness Conference scheduled for May 17 to 19.

The workshop will build on the IEEE-SA nanoelectronic standards framework for nanomaterials, devices, functional blocks and applications developed in conjunction with industry participants. Plans call for contributors to finalize a first draft of the Roadmap for presentation at a second workshop in October. By the end of 2006, the Roadmap will be published, paving the way for the initiation of high-priority standards. The Roadmap will be updated annually.

The NESR effort will be led by a steering committee representing the diverse segments of the nanoelectronics community. This includes those developing materials and devices, those integrating nanoelectronics into end products, and those concerned with nanoelectronic regulations.

"The introduction of nano-enabled electronic products is clearly accelerating," says Edward Rashba, Manager, New Technical Programs at IEEE-SA. "This means there will be an urgent need for standards in the near future to address all aspects of nanotechnology from raw materials to devices and high-volume manufacturing".

According to Nathan Tinker, NESR coordinator and co-founder of the Nano- Business Alliance, "the IEEE Roadmap will help the industry prioritize the standards it needs and focus its resources. Our efforts are meant to provide practical support for other efforts in the field, such as the nano-related technology roadmaps put forth in the International Technology Roadmap for Semiconductors and the International Electronics Manufacturing Initiative."

IEEE-SA's intent to create a broad nanoelectronic standards roadmap builds on a roadmap it developed for carbon nanotubes in 2003. The 2003 effort has led to several standards activities, including the recently approved IEEE 1650, "Standard Test Methods for Measurement of Electrical Properties of Carbon Nanotubes". This nanoelectronics standard provides a common template for generating reproducible electrical data on nanotubes.

SOURCE: IEEE