To push the limits of chip technology needed to meet the emerging demands of cloud computing and Big Data systems, IBM is investing $3 billion over the next 5 years in two broad research and early stage development programs that will push IBM's semiconductor innovations from today’s breakthroughs into the advanced technology leadership required for the future. Increasingly, cloud and big data applications are placing new challenges on systems, just as the underlying chip technology is facing numerous physical scaling limits.
The first research program is aimed at so-called “7 nanometer and beyond” silicon technology that will address serious physical challenges that are threatening current semiconductor scaling techniques and will impede the ability to manufacture such chips. The second is focused on developing alternative technologies for post-silicon era chips using entirely different approaches, which IBM scientists and other experts say are required because of the physical limitations of silicon based semiconductors.
"The question is not if we will introduce 7 nanometer technology into manufacturing, but rather how, when, and at what cost?" said John Kelly, senior vice president, IBM Research. "IBM engineers and scientists, along with our partners, are well suited for this challenge and are already working on the materials science and device engineering required to meet the demands of the emerging system requirements for cloud, big data, and cognitive systems. This new investment will ensure that we produce the necessary innovations to meet these challenges."
Find out more about the new initiative here.