DURIP: Center for Semiconductor Modelling Computational Infrastructure

To better understand these risks, Bajaj and co-authors have surveyed the development process of several technologies that are relevant for the ARMY and their transition to systems. They have pointed out that a novel approach is necessary to improve the ability of the science and technology community to develop novel semiconductor devices and transition into specific system applications. Specifically, they emphasized that the timely technology transition with minimal risk requires an understanding of fundamental and technology limitations of material synthesis, device operation and design controllable parameters. However, this knowledge-based approach requires substantial investment of resources in the Science and Technology (S and T) stage of development. For low volume niche semiconductor technologies of DoD relevance, industry alone cannot justify these investments simply because there is no significant return on investment. As a result, technology transition from S and T to product development is often expensive, delayed, and carries risks. To address this challenge, the Computational Electronics Group at Boston University led by Prof. E. Bellotti and a team from the Army Research Laboratory led by Dr. M. Reed have worked to establish the Center for Semiconductor Modeling (CSM). The CSM immediate scientific focus will be to develop robust and predictive models to minimize risk in developing new technology. The CSM will focus on the theory, simulation and the experimental validation of the models.