Author Archives: Walt

About Walt

I have been involved in various aspects of nanotechnology since the late 1970s. My interest in promoting nano-safety began in 2006 and produced a white paper in 2007 explaining the four pillars of nano-safety. I am a technology futurist and is currently focused on nanoelectronics, single digit nanomaterials, and 3D printing at the nanoscale. My experience includes three startups, two of which I founded, 13 years at SEMATECH, where I was a Senior Fellow of the technical staff when I left, and 12 years at General Electric with nine of them on corporate staff. I have a Ph.D. from the University of Texas at Austin, an MBA from James Madison University, and a B.S. in Physics from the Illinois Institute of Technology.

November 30, 2022
2:10 pm
by: Walt

Chiplets – What are semiconductor chiplets and why needed

As there are more references to the development of semiconductor chiplets, it might be useful to consider what they are and why they are needed. As the size of the semiconductor features shrink, more and more transistors can be packed … Continue reading →

Posted in Uncategorized

October 31, 2022
8:45 am
by: Walt

Where Wafer Scale Integration Came From

This is a story that starts in the early days of electronics.  As new concepts were developed for applications employing electricity, there was a need to develop a means of assembling components into completed electric circuits.  The “breadboard” was developed.  … Continue reading →

Posted in Semiconductor Technology

September 30, 2022
11:34 am
by: Walt

Advancements for Nano and Below

Previous blogs have mentioned the need for improved tools and the goal of at least one order of magnitude greater capability than the objects attempting to be evaluated.  That development is beginning to become available. The May/June issue of Photonic … Continue reading →

Posted in Nanotechnology

August 31, 2022
6:15 am
by: Walt

Metamaterials – Optics

In June’s blog, invisibility cloaking was covered.  While that is a type of optical metamaterial, the advantage of optical metamaterials is that they can provide the ability to extend the range of traditional optics.  (While the work has been ongoing … Continue reading →

Posted in Metamaterials

July 31, 2022
10:35 am
by: Walt

Metamaterials – Acoustic

Metamaterials are usually identified by indicating it is a constructed material that has characteristics not observed in nature.  As the last blog demonstrated, metamaterials at the nanoscale can be designed to work well in the optical and near-optical portion of … Continue reading →

Posted in Metamaterials

June 30, 2022
1:02 pm
by: Walt

Metamaterials – Cloak of Invisibility details

Metamaterials are usually identified by indicating it is a constructed material that has characteristics not observed in nature.  While typically referring to nanoscale materials, there are metamaterials that are on the millimeter scale.  (That will be covered in a future … Continue reading →

Posted in Metamaterials

May 31, 2022
12:36 pm
by: Walt

Metamaterials – Cloak of Invisibility

An excellent example of how metamaterials work comes from Stanford University [Ref. 1].  The concept can be described as creating nanoscale antenna to affect the performance of electromagnetic spectrum waves.  Over a half century ago, TVs had external metal antenna.  … Continue reading →

Posted in Metamaterials

April 30, 2022
2:36 pm
by: Walt

What comes after nanotechnology?

In many cases semiconductor industry leads the application of technology shrinkage.  Each “generation” of new devices employs smaller and smaller dimensional structures in the circuitry.  There is work being done on qualifying the processes for the 3nm and 2nm generation.  … Continue reading →

Posted in Metamaterials

March 31, 2022
7:27 pm
by: Walt

Is there an end to transistor area density shrinkage?

Moore’s Law is quoted in many different forms.  Basically, area density is a primary focus.  If the difference between generations in a 30% reduction in dimensions, then the area for a transistor (70% by 70%) is reduced by almost 50% … Continue reading →

Posted in Semiconductor Technology

February 28, 2022
7:42 pm
by: Walt

Nanoscale and semiconductors

There has been more information in the press about the coming 3nm generation of semiconductors.  [Note: I am on the semiconductor roadmap Litho subcommittee. Only information in the public domain will be covered in any of these blogs.) As pointed … Continue reading →

Posted in Nanotechnology, Semiconductor Technology