is Coming to Korea - Korea IT Times

University
Expect
The Unexpected
SNU research team led by
Professor Park Byung-gook presents something innovative
Technologies are universal, both
by nature and by name, mostly in
abbreviated form. Throw out
"cell phone", "computer" or "television"
anywhere and chances are you will not be
alienated. But Cone SONOS flash memory?
For this rare technology, we are at
once baffled by its idiosyncratic term.
Korean research team from Seoul
National University (SNU) invented
'NOR Flash Memory' that processes data
faster by ten times for the first in the world.
The research team led by Professor Park
Byung-gook made it all the more possible
for next-generation digital devices to be
faster because NOR flash memory can be
housed into cell phones, smart phones,
TVs, and other gadgets.
Professor Park and his team invented a
cone-shaped NOR flash memory instead
of the original, flat shaped, hence, breaking
the norm. They announced on January 20
that they succeeded in developing another
flash memory that has relevant speed and
data storage that of NAND.
NOR has been commonly used in cell
phones for they are fast in processing
memory storage. NOR and NAND is divided
by their circuit type and shape; unlike
DRAM, they are able to continue
storing information even after the power is
turned off. Nonetheless, the former flatshaped
NOR was often criticized for its inefficiency
because of low accumulation
Cone SONOS flash memory
and low capacity.
SNU research team significantly improved
information record and deleting
rate by extending the memory channel to a
cone-shaped and stretching the travel distance
of electrons. And by cutting the
NOR's area by one fifth, they achieved in
boosting its accumulation rate to the level
and speed of NAND. All in all, SNU research
team is applauded for the possibility
of entering the consumer's market of
selling NOR flash memory the size of
32GB.
"This current technology based off of
changing the entire shape of NOR has allowed
procuring the most innovative technology,"
said Professor Park.
Such research result has already been
uploaded on the recent IEEE Electron
Device Letters and is in the process of obtaining
a patent both domestic and in the
U.S.
Bang Jung-hyun / jbang@koreaittimes.com
www.koreaittimes.com 47