Nanyang Technological University (NTU) Lights the Way to Smaller and Faster Chips

Researchers from NTU have come up with a new nanotechnology process that enables smaller and faster computer chips to be built.

Faster and smaller computer chips are on the way from Nanyang Technological University (NTU), with researchers there at the cutting edge of materials science technology.

Researchers from the School of Electrical and Electronic Engineering (EEE) have come up with a new nanotechnology process that enables smaller and faster computer chips to be built. This process is based on building computer chips made of an alloy that transmits data through light rather than today's traditional metal wiring. Nothing travels faster than the speed of light, and changing the medium from electrical impulses used by metal wires to light-based communications will cause a dramatic increase in speed.

The research team led by Professor Yoon Soon Fat uses 'quantum dot' lasers for more efficient transmission of data in chips. This technology will allow wafer fabrication plants to create computer chips with speed of 40 gigabits per second and allow smaller circuit board.