News Article
JSR and IBM collaborate on next-generation semiconductor materials, self-assembly
JSR Micro Incorporated, the US operations of JSR Corporation of Tokyo, Japan, have announced that it has entered a joint research agreement with IBM to explore new technologies for emerging semiconductor materials and processes.
"We have tremendous respect for the depth and breadth of IBM's research capabilities," said JSR Micro, President Eric Johnson. "We view this as a strategic extension of our research and development (R&D) program which will yield benefits for all of our customers."
IBM and JSR will collaborate on a set of ambitious exploratory research projects that could impact or even enable future lithography technologies with breakthroughs in new materials. Advancements in lithography and self-assembly could lead to new developments in the computer chip industry, smaller, faster chips that consume less power than those created using conventional methods.
"Our joint research with JSR helps us do even more exploratory work at critical mass," said Gian-Luca Bona, senior manager, Science & Technology, IBM Almaden Research Centre. "This partnership combines the deep chemistry and materials science expertise of IBM Research and JSR's record of innovation and technology impact in the electronic chemicals arena.
"JSR will have employees on site at the IBM Almaden Research Centre in San Jose, CA. The initial scope of work targets next generation lithography but also encompasses work outside of the traditional lithography space such as self assembly.
Last May, IBM announced the first-ever application of a breakthrough self-assembling nanotechnology to conventional chip manufacturing, borrowing a process from nature to build the next generation computer chips.
