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Using high-k dielectric enables the Flash memory industry to develop sub-28-nm products, but the high density of defects in high-k dielectric is a major challenge for product qualification, since the existing characterisation techniques are not suitable. The new pulse techniques, developed by the Microelectronics Research Group (RG1), overcome this challenge and have been extensively used by the Memory Devices Consortium (including Intel, Micron and Samsung) at IMEC (the Inter-University Microelectronics Research Centre in Leuven, Belgium) for the development of new Flash memory products in this REF period. This benefits the global Flash memory industry by providing guidance for material selection, process screening, device structure optimisation, and qualification procedure improvement.
Since the 1950s, when they were first developed, scanning electron microscopes (SEMs) have revolutionised science. However, the large physical size of these machines and their aggressive treatment of samples has limited their use. Now research carried out by Professor Mohamed El-Gomati has led to the development of products for global companies including Agilent, Carl Zeiss and Shimadzu. These products include the world's first low-voltage desktop SEM, capable of resolving features smaller than 5 nanometres, and handling radiation sensitive samples such as biological and medical materials, novel photoresists, nanotubes and nanorods. The smaller size has also improved accessibility of such instruments leading to significant efficiency gains for companies and academia worldwide.
Researchers within the Department of Physics and Astronomy at UCL have investigated the properties of defects in bulk HfO2 and at Si/SiOx/HfO2 interfaces. Results have been used by an industrial partner, SEMATECH (SMT), to improve the quality and reliability of high-performance microelectronic devices based on transistors. This has helped SMT to meet project objectives on behalf of member companies such as Intel and IBM, and UCL research results have been consistently highly evaluated by these companies. Recommendations made by SMT have been implemented by industrial partners in their currently manufactured devices, such as the 22nm process technology released by Intel in 2011.
The Leicester Variwave project, in relation to electrostatic dust precipitation, utilises a novel high voltage, high frequency, high power transformer within the power supply, which has enabled cuts in industrial emissions of ~50 per cent and considerable cost savings. Most new-build power stations and many other industrial sites now use technology based on that developed in Leicester. As well as fly ash and dust, the technology has the ability to trap sub-micron particulates thought to be partly responsible for the increase in the number of asthma cases during the past few decades. The MD of [text removed for publication] states `Through publications made by ...Leicester ...we were interested to learn how the team designed their high voltage transformer, and how that transformer operated with the high frequency, high power switched-mode electronics. They achieved that `Holy Grail' combination [of high voltage, frequency, high power] in a 70 kW switched-mode power supply (SMPS) running at 20 KHz and at 50 kV. The publication in the IEEE Transactions on Power Delivery was very helpful, and enabled us to choose the direction when pushing the design boundaries in developing our own high power, high voltage technology for electrostatic precipitators'. Dr Devine, a key member of the Leicester team between 1995 and 2000, was employed by [text removed for publication] in 2001 purely on the basis of his knowledge of Variwave. [text removed for publication] now have 200 units in operation. In 2002 Dr Devine was head-hunted for his knowledge of Variwave and moved to [text removed for publication], who also developed commercial units. The uptake of the technology has been growing steadily since 2001. Exemplar data from one company on the associated reduction in emissions shows 195 switched mode power units installed in boiler plants worldwide by 2004 gave a reduction of around 60%. A 60% reduction in emissions is equivalent to a reduction from 40 mg.m-3 to 16 mg.m-3 of flue gas particulates. Since 2004 to date there are now estimated to be at least 5000 units installed worldwide.
Antenova Ltd, a spin out company created to exploit University of Sheffield research, is a leading developer and supplier of high performance antennas and radio frequency (RF) antenna modules for wireless communication and consumer electronic devices such as smartphones, laptop computers and tablets. Significant commercial impact has been generated: Antenova has 6% of the global mobile antenna market (2 Billion units) and is a leader in the global antenna design market with a 15% share, employing 40 staff worldwide and with an annual turnover of about $8 million. To gain commercial advantage Microsoft Corporation bought out Antenova in 2013.
Small high dielectric constant chip antennas resulting from the underpinning research allow multiple wireless services to be provided on small devices such as smart phones and as these antennas are very efficient, save energy, extend battery life and so bring environmental benefit.
Electrical power companies are tasked with operating a highly reliable and robust power system. Electrical power outages (blackouts) have serious consequences for the companies concerned as well as society. The health of electrical insulating materials is critical for the reliability of these systems as it often determines equipment lifetime.
Leicester was the first to demonstrate experimentally that polymer based nanocomposite materials could increase the service life and reliability of electrical insulation as used in high voltage power transmission systems. Its research has also led to the development of measurement techniques to assess the health and the extent of thermal ageing of HV power cables.
National Grid has used Leicester's research findings to manage and monitor its electricity transmission equipment, with resulting impacts on its safety, efficiency and financial economy. Borealis, a major international supplier of insulating materials has used the research to solve manufacturing problems and to set up test facilities for medium voltage cables. A Knowledge Transfer Partnership with Alstom Grid has led to the the establishment of a £1M commercial size HVDC cable test facility which has attracted £0.5M investment from cable manufacturers worldwide.