Semi Doped Insights from IEDM 2025
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Jan 8, 2026 Austin and Vik explore groundbreaking insights from the IEDM conference. They discuss innovations like penta-level NAND flash memory, which could disrupt the SSD market, and the power efficiency enhancements of GaN-on-silicon chiplets. The future of transistors shines bright with expectations of further advancements. The challenges in scaling silicon photonics and the vital role of complementary FETs in creating denser logic layouts are also highlighted. True to the nature of such gatherings, networking and collaboration opportunities take center stage.
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Use Tutorials To Rapidly Learn New Tech
- Attend tutorials and short courses at research conferences to get quickly up to speed on a topic.
- Use them before main sessions to build context so you can follow cutting-edge talks better.
Hallway Chat With A Foundry Pathfinder
- Vikram randomly met a senior pathfinding engineer from a major foundry and spent an hour discussing long-term transistor strategy.
- The engineer emphasized solving manufacturability blockers early and planning for scale 10 years ahead.
Optics Still Struggle At Rack Scale
- Silicon photonics still faces a power and cost barrier at rack scale despite co-packaged optics reducing per-transceiver power.
- At current efficiencies, optics can demand tens of kilowatts per rack making copper and active electrical cables preferable for near-term scale-up.