Description

This issue of Microelectronics TOE covers recent developments in silicon photonics, volumetric displays, and transmission. Innovations profiled include cladding technique for reducing propagation loss in mid-IR range for silicon photonics by the Columbia University, 3D image generation in liquid screen using lasers by the Utsunomiya University, high definition holographic displays from silicon pillars by the Australian National University, material substrates developed for wearables by the Missouri University of Science and Technology, and advanced data transmission at nanoscale by the University of Cincinnati.

The Microelectronics TechVision Opportunity Engine (TOE) captures global electronics-related innovations and developments on a weekly basis. Developments are centred on electronics attributed by low power and cost, smaller size, better viewing, display and interface facilities, wireless connectivity, higher memory capacity, flexibility and wearables. Research focus themes include small footprint lightweight devices (CNTs, graphene), smart monitoring and control (touch and haptics), energy efficiency (LEDs, OLEDs, power and thermal management, energy harvesting), and high speed and improved conductivity devices (SiC, GaN, GaAs).

Miniaturization, a move toward lower power consumption, and the need for enhanced features are driving innovations in the electronics sector. Technology focus areas include semiconductor manufacturing and design, flexible electronics, 3D integration/IC, MEMS and NEMS, solid state lighting, advanced displays, nanoelectronics, wearable electronics, brain computer interface, advanced displays, near field communication, and next generation data storage or memory.

Keywords: Silicon photonics, volumetric display, holographic display, wearables, data transmission