SINGAPORE: Researchers from Singapore and the US are collaborating to come up with a system that can extend the lifespan of batteries in devices such as laptops and smartphones.
The Institute of Microelectronics (IME) and Stanford University will work to advance innovations in nano-electromechanical systems (NEMS).
NEMS technology is known for its higher energy efficiency.
The system has the ability to stamp out leakage currents that occur during passive standby mode in electronic devices.
Leakage current is one of the leading sources of power consumption in digital systems, using traditional semiconductor switches.
By replacing these traditional switches with NEMS switches, the total power consumption of a digital block can be reduced by up to 10 times.
Dr Lee Jae Wung, the IME Scientist leading the project, said: "One of the challenges in building a reliable NEMS switch is in achieving Thin Film Encapsulation to protect the switch structure and the contact materials from degradation and oxidation by providing proper vacuum condition and/or filling inert gas inside the cavity. IME's capabilities in back end of line compatible materials and processes are expected to contribute strongly in this area."
"NEMS relay has proven to be an effective complement to conventional Si CMOS technology for reducing power consumption. The collaboration with IME will advance this device technology to a manufacturing process that is suitable for co-integration with Si CMOS in practical applications," said Professor Philip Wong, Willard R. and Inez Kerr Professor in the School of Engineering at Stanford University.
The Institute of Microelectronics (IME) is a research institute of the Science and Engineering Research Council of the Agency for Science, Technology and Research (A*STAR).
- CNA/ck
Researchers collaborate on system to extend battery lifespan in devices
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Researchers collaborate on system to extend battery lifespan in devices
