3/9/2011 8:22:00 AM

Times Union: IBM chip technology could put NanoCollege at global forefront

Times Union

View original article

ALBANY -- The University at Albany's College of Nanoscale Science and Engineering is getting next-generation technology from IBM Corp. that will allow it to build the most advanced university-based computer chip manufacturing line in the world.

The NanoCollege is licensing so-called 28-nanometer technology from IBM that is several generations ahead of how current chips are manufactured for today's cellphones and personal computers.

Such technology "nodes" refer to the size of the smallest feature -- like a transistor -- on a computer chip. A nanometer is one-billionth of a meter, and so with smaller features, companies like IBM can cram more transistors on a chip, making them more powerful.

The NanoCollege currently has a 65-nanometer manufacturing line at its Albany NanoTech complex that can make prototypes for today's electronics. That line was started less than a year ago.

But by adding 28-nanometer capabilities, the NanoCollege secures itself as major pre-manufacturing center for chips well into the future. Full article