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INDUSTRY NEWS
SFN LAUNCHES ‘INFRASTRUCTURE TIME MACHINE’ THAT ENABLES FABS TO REDUCE SEMICONDUCTOR PRODUCTION TIMES TENFOLD
Search for the Next (SFN) – developers of the compound combination of the Bizen wafer process, Zpolar transistor and Zpolar Tunnel Logic (ZTL) – now has a family of four ITMs (Infrastructure Time Machine) available that enable chip designers to produce ICs in older 180nm and even one micron geometry fabs with the equivalent performance of CMOS devices made in current state-of-the-art plants. For example, a fab equipped with 180nm
photolithographic steppers – such as Newport Wafer Fab, the UK’s largest semiconductor production plant which is at the centre of a political and trade war over its proposed sale to foreign owners – could now produce ZTL devices with the performance (size, speed and performance) of 35nm CMOS by implementing
ITM35, and at a hugely reduced cost. David Summerland, CEO of SFN, commented:
“Until Bizen, the Zpolar transistor and ZTL logic, high performance chips for applications such as 5G and RISC-V could only be produced at facilities such as the Taiwanese giant, TSMC, which controls most of the world’s high-performance semiconductor production. Now, UK and other Western fabs can be competitive again, and even overtake the Taiwanese and Korean giants, while also securing best national interests and IP.” SFN is releasing four ITMs: ITM180 which can
deliver ZTL chips with the performance of 180nm CMOS using one micron equipment; ITM35 which enables 35nm CMOS-equivalent ICs to be made in 180nm process node fabs; ITM5 which enables 5nm CMOS performance from 28nm steppers,
IET PRESIDENT TO INSPIRE THE NEXT GENERATION
Professor Bob Cryan, who recently became the 141st President of the IET, wants to encourage and inspire the next generation by demonstrating how engineers are transforming our world, as well as shine a spotlight on the importance of mentorship and developing engineers as inclusive leaders. He said: “Engineers hold the keys to the future of humanity and the IET has
some of the best engineers in the world. In my year as President, I’m asking our members to invest in the younger generation and guide their careers, accelerating us towards our goal of engineering excellence. “We have some incredible programmes at the IET, from First Lego League
and Faraday Challenge Days, to our scholarships. These important initiatives to support the next generation all need funding and I hope to gain support throughout the year to continue this life-changing work.”
www.theiet.org
IGUS ACQUIRES MAJORITY STAKE IN COMMONPLACE ROBOTICS
igus has acquired a majority stake in robot integrator Commonplace Robotics, based in Bissendorf near Osnabrück. Commonplace Robotics specialises in intuitive control and software as well as power electronics for robotics, in the industrial and educational sectors. Both companies have worked together closely for six years and have jointly developed the iRC igus Robot Control. Dr. Christian Meyer, founder of Commonplace Robotics, said: “We are looking
forward to several exciting projects with igus, especially via the RBTX platform for low-cost robots, where new requirements from customers from all areas of industry come to our laboratories every day. Much of this can be implemented quickly, especially as we will grow with the new investment.”
www.igus.co.uk
and ITMSubnm which means that current state-of- the-art 3nm fabs will be able to deliver incredible sub-nm, Angstrom-level capabilities. VHDL is taken into the chosen ITM, which delivers both the POR (Process Of Reference) and the GDSii for the resultant IC to the fabs.
www.wafertrain.com FIBOX: REINVENTING ELECTRICAL ENCLOSURES WITH BETTER MATERIALS
Polycarbonate is quickly becoming the informed choice for train interiors – it is the ideal material for manufacturing wall and ceiling coverings, seat backs and window frames. The material is light in weight, flame retardant and recyclable, providing real savings in fuel and money and, importantly, helping the environment. Fibox is a world-renowned authority on the production of sustainable
Polycarbonate electrical enclosures. Fibox enclosures are touch-safe and resilient to vibration and wide temperature fluctuations; and they provide tried and tested protection to vital electrical and electronic devices, and systems throughout the world. Within a train environment, Fibox Polycarbonate enclosures house from simple electrical junctions to control cabinets, ensuring safety and continuity of power supply. Fibox provides in-house customising to ensure that the electrical
enclosures are produced with cut-outs, threaded, or plain holes, to a customer’s exacting standards. Cable glands, Din-Rails and terminals can be fitted so that further operations are unnecessary, and installation is not delayed. Labels and screen printing, along with painting to corporate RAL colours, ensure that the customer receives exactly the product they require. Polycarbonate is proven to
be a superior material to metals or polyester. Fibox electrical enclosures are the right choice for sustainability, safety, and cost saving.
www.fibox.com
OCTOBER 2022 DESIGN SOLUTIONS 7
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