Quantum Dot Applications for Flash Memory, Semiconductor Lasers and Photodetectors

Background The mobile electronic devices of the future will need lower voltage and power data storage capabilities to continue offering consumers increased functionality and extended battery life. Current non-volatile flash memory technology is reaching the limits of its ability to shrink down. A new approach is needed to keep pace with the technological evolution predicted by Moore?s Law.

Invention Description Non-volatile flash memory technology can continue to scale down for lower voltage and power applications if new materials are used and/or new memory cell designs are adopted. This invention capitalizes on a combination of technologies. Primarily, a new gate design using a protein-templated array of quantum dots reduces failure rates. When combined with a new tunneling layer material, programmability is made easier without the traditional problems of data leakage. A new channel material and a new channel design also reduce the energy required for programming. The combined result is a new flash memory cell capable of fast programming under low voltage and/or low power operating conditions with a much lower failure rate.

Benefits

Low voltage operation Low power operation Fast programming Reliable

Features

Enhanced gate current Reduced leakage current Reduced failure rate

Market Potential/Applications Fast, on-demand data storage for low voltage, low power portable electronic devices such as cellular phones, PDAs, digital cameras and MP3 players would benefit greatly from this technology. Image acquisition and semiconductor laser technologies would also benefit from the higher resolution that protein template quantum dot arrays can provide.

Development Stage Proof of concept

IP Status One U.S. patent application filed

UT Researcher Chuanbin Mao, Ph.D., Chemical Engineering, The University of Texas at Austin Sanjay K. Banerjee, Ph.D., Electrical and Computer Engineering, The University of Texas at Austin David L. Kencke, Ph.D., Electrical and Computer Engineering, The University of Texas at Austin Shan Tang, Microelectronics Research Center, The University of Texas at Austin

Type of Offer: Licensing



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