What's New @ IEEE in Computing

September 2006 Volume 7, Number 9

IN THIS ISSUE:
1. Pros and Cons of Overtesting to Be Explored at Circuits Conference
2. Free to Members: "IEEE Transactions on Device & Materials Reliability"
3. Semiconductor Researchers See the Light
4. Technologies That Will Shape Our Future: "IEEE Spectrum" Reports
5. IEEE Election Ballots In the Mail
6. Conference on VLSI Technology Calls for Papers
7. Polymers Show Progress for Lab-on-A-Chip Applications
8. Join IEEE for 2007 and Get the Rest of 2006 Free
9. Members: Get More From Your IEEE Email Alias
10. Molecular Transistors the Next Horizon in Computing
11. Built-In Ion Pump Cools Chips Via Airflow

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1. PROS AND CONS OF OVERTESTING TO BE EXPLORED AT CIRCUITS CONFERENCE
The 2006 IEEE 15th Asian Test Symposium (ATS) will include a special session titled "To Overtest or Not to Overtest - More Questions than Answers" by I. Pomeranz. The conference also includes several technical sessions, and two tutorials titled "Delay Testing: Theory and Practice" and "Memory Test and Self-Test for Deep Sub-micron Technologies." The conference takes place from 20 to 23 November in Fukuoka, Japan. To register to attend, or for more information: ats06.cs.ehime-u.ac.jp/

2. FREE TO MEMBERS: "IEEE TRANSACTIONS ON DEVICE & MATERIALS RELIABILITY"
IEEE members may access online issues of "IEEE Transactions on Device & Materials Reliability" as a benefit of membership. The current issue (v. 6, no. 2) includes 30 papers, such as "Stress-Induced Electromigration Backflow Effect in Copper Interconnects," "Safe Operating Area of GaAs MESFET for Nonlinear Applications," and "Transmission EELS Attachment for SEM." The issue is available through the IEEE Xplore digital library: ieeexplore.ieee.org/xpl/tocresult.jsp?isnumber=35127

3. SEMICONDUCTOR RESEARCHERS SEE THE LIGHT
Researchers at Cornell University (USA) report that they have invented a new type of organic semiconductors which can act as a photovoltaic cell. To do this, they laminated together two organic layers, one containing free positive ions and the other containing negative ions. They then added thin, flexible conducting films on the top and bottom—the top layer they left transparent to allow light to pass through. Negative ions migrate across the junction of the two layers, acting in much the same way as a silicon diode. When voltage is applied, a current flows through the junction, raising the energy of the molecules, which in turn produces light. The development team says that the devices should be easy to produce as one giant roll, in which strips could be rolled off of and cut into useable pieces. Not only does this have application for cheap home- and computer-related applications, but the researchers say it could be utilized in fabrics as well to create clothing that not only lights up, but powers accessories. Read more: www.eurekalert.org/pub_releases/2006-09/cuns-osm090706.php

4. TECHNOLOGIES THAT WILL SHAPE OUR FUTURE: "IEEE SPECTRUM" REPORTS
What technologies are most likely to have the greatest impact over the next 20 years? This month, "IEEE Spectrum" teams up with The Institute for the Future to survey over 700 IEEE fellows to find out what scientific and technological innovations can be expected to have the greatest impact on the way we live in future years since they have so much to do with making them come about. Included in the list of influential technologies are a commercially available universal language translator, lifelike interactive computer graphics, and routine global video conferencing. Read more: www.spectrum.ieee.org/sep06/4427

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5. IEEE ELECTION BALLOTS IN THE MAIL
Ballots for the 2006 IEEE Annual Election have been mailed to all eligible voting IEEE members. All ballots must be returned and received by the election vendor by 1 November 2006 in order to be counted. For information on any of this year's candidates or their positions, visit: www.ieee.org/elections

6. CONFERENCE ON VLSI TECHNOLOGY CALLS FOR PAPERS
The 2007 International Symposium on VLSI Technology, Systems, and Applications (VLSI-TSA) is currently soliciting original and unpublished papers on all aspects of VLSI technology and manufacturing for the upcoming conference in April 2007 in Hsinchu, Taiwan. Some topics include CMOS, SiGe bipolar, and BiCMOS ICs; device interconnect reliability; and nanoelectronic devices/technology. All papers are required to be submitted electronically by 15 October 2006. For more information and for a full list of paper topics, visit: vlsitsa.itri.org.tw/2007/CallPaper/

7. POLYMERS SHOW PROGRESS FOR LAB-ON-A-CHIP APPLICATIONS
Liquid crystalline polymers may soon be completely immersed in microelectromechanical systems such as lab-on-a-chip applications, according to researchers at the University of Alberta, Canada. The researchers, working together with staff at the Eindhoven University of Technology and Phillips Research Laboratories in the Netherlands have demonstrated that LCP can be molded and copied on a microscale once it has been pressed into a slim film on a glass backing. After conducting LCP experiments on a microscale in order to gain a greater understanding of the material's mechanical properties, the researchers say the material can now be used as a blueprint for the creation of practical microscale devices. Read more: www.eurekalert.org/pub_releases/2006-08/uoa-psp083006.php

8. JOIN IEEE FOR 2007 AND GET THE REST OF 2006 FREE
Not an IEEE member? Now is a great time to join. Any new member who joins IEEE now for 2007 will receive membership through the balance of 2006 for free. IEEE brings members access to the industry's most essential technical information, networking opportunities, career development tools, and many other exclusive benefits. To become an IEEE member, visit: www.ieee.org/join

QUOTE OF THE MONTH:
"An idea that is developed and put into action is more important than an idea that exists only as an idea." ~ Buddha

9. MEMBERS: GET MORE FROM YOUR IEEE EMAIL ALIAS
Surveys have shown that most IEEE members know about the IEEE Email Alias service, and exclusive benefit of IEEE membership that provides an @ieee.org email address while forwarding all incoming mail to your real Internet account. But did you know that the same service can help you to control all of the "unsolicited commercial email" that comes in to your inbox? This optional spam-tagging feature labels questionable email, making it easier for you to know which items you don't need to read. To use this member benefit, visit: www.ieee.org/alias

10. MOLECULAR TRANSISTORS THE NEXT HORIZON IN COMPUTING
Single-molecule working transistors are possible, according to physicists at the University of Arizona, who say such transistors are a breakthrough necessary for building the next-generation of tiny, powerful computers. Traditional transistors can't be smaller than 25 nanometers, according to researchers, who used benzene, a ring-like molecule, to create a "Quantum Interference Effect Transistor," or QuIET transistor, one nanometer in size. According to the physicists, two electrical leads can be attached to the ring molecule to create two alternate paths through which current can flow, and a third lead can be attached opposite one of the others to turn the device on and off. Read more: www.primidi.com/2006/08/31.html

11. BUILT-IN ION PUMP COOLS CHIPS VIA AIRFLOW
A prototype cooling device that fits on a computer chip has been developed by researchers at the University of Washington, who say the device uses an electrical charge to create a cooling air jet right at the surface of the chip. In-chip cooling may be critical to advanced computer technology, researchers say, because future chips will be smaller, more tightly packed and are likely to run hotter than current models. The prototype contains an emitter and a collector, according to researchers, and as air ions are propelled in an electric field to the collector surface they create an air jet that blows across the chip. Read more: www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2006/08/060823184802.htm

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Managing Editor: John Platt j.platt@ieee.org

Contributing Editors: Diana Fuksin, Robert J. Howe, Brian Pedersen, Ryan Thomas, Cari Wolfert

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