What's New @ IEEE in Circuits

VOLUME 6 NUMBER 1 JANUARY 2005

CONTENTS:
1. DNA Scaffolding Creates Fabric for Nano-Circuits
2. IEEE Proceedings Build on Latest Advances in VLSI Systems
3. Circuits Winners & Losers: IEEE Spectrum Reports
4. New Magnetic Sensor Measures Minute Changes in Electric Fields
5. IEEE Unveils Standard for Analog Transducers in Digital Networks
6. Researchers Develop New Class of "Thin-Film" Transistors
7. IEEE CASS to Accept Proposals for Future Conferences
8. Grants Fund Research for Chip that Could Restore Vision
9. Eye on Washington Goes Biweekly in 2005
10. 2D Holograms Facilitate Personal Video Projectors
11. IEEE Membership Offers Opportunity for Success
12. Semiconductor Industry Implements Dual Core Chips in 2005

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1. DNA SCAFFOLDING CREATES FABRIC FOR NANO-CIRCUITS
Researchers at the University of Minnesota are experimenting with the self-assembly of synthetic DNA tiles to create a regularly spaced molecular fabric that contain ripples which serve as hooks for nano-components. DNA scaffolding, which they say allows closely spaced circuits to bio-assemble in a predetermined pattern, may lead to circuits 1,000 times smaller than existing data-processing circuits and 100 times smaller than existing data-storage circuitry. Using a template to coat DNA with enzymes to begin the bio-assembly process, researchers say that the mass production of such nano-circuits may be possible. Learn more about this research at: www.betterhumans.com/Print/index.aspx?ArticleID=2004-12-20-2

2. IEEE PROCEEDINGS BUILD ON LATEST ADVANCES IN VLSI SYSTEMS
A new release from IEEE, the proceedings of the 19th IEEE International Symposium on Defect and Fault Tolerance in VLSI Systems (DFT 2004), unites recent industry statistics with academic research to create problem-solving models reflective of advances in VLSI design. Among the topics addressed, yield analysis and modeling provided key insight into IC layout modification for manufacturability as well as process control and measurement. Other topics include repair, restructuring and reconfiguration; error detection, correction and recovery; dependability analysis and validation; and much more. For greater detail, or to purchase the proceedings, visit ShopIEEE: shop.ieee.org/store/product.asp?prodno=PR2241
***IEEE members save up to 60% off the list price for conference proceedings titles***

3. CIRCUITS WINNERS & LOSERS 2005: IEEE SPECTRUM REPORTS
IEEE Spectrum's annual special January issue focuses on technology's "winners and losers." Among the winners: Applied Materials' plan to replace the abrasive slurry now used in chip-making with one that allows electricity to flatten the wafer, a move that could yield even smaller circuits. Read more: www.spectrum.ieee.org/WEBONLY/publicfeature/jan05/0105wchip.html

4. NEW MAGNETIC SENSOR MEASURES MINUTE CHANGES IN ELECTRIC FIELDS
A 50-picotelsa change in a magnetic field -- a million times weaker than the earth's magnetic field -- can now be detected with a magnetic sensor approximately the size of a sugar cube. Building on the recent development of the chip-scale atomic clock, researchers at the National Institute of Applied Physics have developed a magnetic sensor that monitors changes in electron levels with a high accuracy and sensitivity. The device is so accurate, it can detect metal from 12 meters (40 feet) away by measuring changes in electron levels in preexisting electric fields. To learn more, visit: www.innovations-report.com/print/print_en01.php3?id=38346&ctyp=1

5. IEEE UNVEILS STANDARD FOR ANALOG TRANSDUCERS IN DIGITAL NETWORKS
A new plug-and-play standard establishes a universal system for the information digital networks needed to identify, characterize, interface with and use signals from analog sensors. The standard, IEEE 1451.4 "Standard for a Smart Transducer Interface for Sensors and Actuators-- Mixed-Mode Communication Protocols and Transducer Electronic Data Sheet (TEDS) Formats," fosters the use of sensor networks by simplifying their installation, creation and maintenance. For more information, visit: standards.ieee.org/announcements/pr_14514.html

6. RESEARCHERS DEVELOP NEW CLASS OF "THIN-FILM" TRANSISTORS
A new class of "thin-film" materials for transparent transistors could pave the way for cheaper, more environmentally conscious electronic products. Researchers working at Oregon State University and Hewlett Packard report that amorphous heavy-metal cation multicomponent oxides have advantages over carbon-based organics and polymers. In particular, this research could have significance in the imaging and printing industries. For more information, visit: www.eurekalert.org/pub_releases/2004-12/osu-mam122804.php

7. IEEE CASS TO ACCEPT PROPOSALS FOR FUTURE CONFERENCES
The IEEE Circuits and Systems Society is now accepting proposals that outline a unifying theme, potential location and a first-pass budget for the 2008 and 2009 International Symposium for Circuits and Systems. To review the general guidelines, and submit a proposal, visit: ewh.ieee.org/soc/icss/callforproposalsISCAS2008-2009.php

8. GRANTS FUND RESEARCH FOR CHIP THAT COULD RESTORE VISION
The U.S. National Institutes of Health are providing nearly US$7 million in grants to fund research to develop a silicon chip that could be implanted under brain membrane to restore vision, mobility, and speech to those with such impairments. The Utah Electrode Array (UEA) measures a quarter-inch on each side and contains 100 tiny electrodes in a 10-by-10 grid. As the next stage of his work, Richard Normann, developer of the UEA, hopes to develop a totally implantable system. Read more: www.ccnmag.com/news.php?id=3089

9. EYE ON WASHINGTON GOES BIWEEKLY IN 2005
IEEE-USA's Eye on Washington returns from a brief hiatus this month with a new editor and a new biweekly publication schedule. What's New @ IEEE-USA's Eye on Washington highlights important federal legislative and regulatory developments that affect U.S. engineers and their careers. Sign up for this or any of the other nine What's New @ IEEE newsletters when you visit:
whatsnew.ieee.org

10. 2D HOLOGRAMS FACILITATE PERSONAL VIDEO PROJECTORS
Laptops, PDAs and cell phones may soon come equipped with personal video projectors that implement a breakthrough technology -- 2D holograms. Light Blue Optics, a spin-off of the U.S. Department of Engineering's Photonics and Sensors Group, is currently in the process of commercializing this custom "hologram chip" and a liquid-crystal-over-silicon (LCOS) microdisplay that diffracts light to project images in real-time. For more information, visit: www.physorg.com/news2516.html

11. IEEE MEMBERSHIP OFFERS OPPORTUNITY FOR SUCCESS
Not an IEEE Member yet? As the largest technical professional society in the world, IEEE offers its members access to leading technical information, networking opportunities, career development resources and many other exclusive services. To find our more about IEEE membership, and to join online, visit: www.ieee.org/join

12. SEMICONDUCTOR INDUSTRY TO IMPLEMENT DUAL CORE CHIPS IN 2005
As advances in chip design generate the potential for greater power, the problem of dispersing the resulting heat hinders further implementation of advanced chips. According to Newsfactor.com, dual core chips with two-headed microprocessors will enable chip-makers and electronics designers to create more compact circuits that require less power and may be widely implemented throughout the semiconductor industry this year. Learn more about this emerging technology and its impact on the semiconductor industry at: www.newsfactor.com/story.xhtml?story_id=29283

WHAT'S NEW @ IEEE IN CIRCUITS is a monthly, opt-in email update designed to provide you with the latest news regarding IEEE activities, industry trends, career development tips, and new IEEE product releases. We welcome your feedback on this service.

Managing Editor: John Platt j.platt@ieee.org
Editor: Bhavika Desai
Contributing Editor: Peg Gallos

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