We all want faster, smaller and more energy-efficient smartphones. Unfortunately, physics is getting in the way.
Moore's Law, which states that the number of transistors on an integrated circuit doubles approximately every two years, is no longer held to be true. Tried and true methods for shrinking integrated circuits have nearly reached their economical implementation limit.
So scientists and engineers are working to find a way of pushing past that obstacle to deliver the next generation of circuit design.
One possible way of scaling up the performance of integrated circuits is 3D chip stacking.
Conventionally, the focus has been on simply shrinking the size of conventional 2D chips, to pack as much as possible into a single layer.
The 3D chip stacking builds on those efforts, by thinning these chips and stacking them on top of each other to produce high-speed and multifunctional systems.
These multilayered chips can incorporate vertical interconnects, transmitting data and power up and down the chip stack.
This not only increases the communication bandwidth between the chips in the stack, but also means the communication links between the various parts can be shorter. Shorter links means less delay and therefore better performance -and less power drain. A properly designed 3D stacked system can use as much as 70 per cent less power than a conventional chip.
But while this area of research has been gaining momentum over the past decade, with significant research from market leaders like Intel, much needs to be done to ensure that these far more complex chips function as seamlessly as needed.
In-depth exploration and testing must be done to learn how the close proximity of so many transistors, in three dimensions, affects the functionality of the chip in terms of its electrical, thermal and mechanical properties.
It is already known that the 3D design changes the stresses within the device. The thinned-down circuits do not behave in the same way, which can affect the transport of the electrons. And the stack design can get hot, too.
These factors can add up to create problems with the signals, voltage, material properties, device behaviour and material integrity, among other things.
The Masdar Institute has embarked on research that seeks to establish design and manufacturing guidelines for integrating electronics with photonic (eg. laser) circuits, and to characterise how thinning and stacking of the chips could potentially affect the behaviour of electrons and photons in a complex stacked system.
The major goal of this undertaking - which includes 12 individual projects - is to explore and illustrate the low-power features of 3D integrated microelectronics in a variety of computing, communication, storage and sensing design contexts.
My focus will be on the impact of stacking on the electronic circuits and their yield.
It is our hope that the sum of these projects will be a clearer idea of how to manage multifunctional, diverse integration of the chips, avoid thermal hotspots, and improve overall functionality in terms of power and speed.
We also hope to address the need for new computer-aided chip design algorithms that take account of the heating challenges.
And these projects will provide unique, functional and crucial hands-on experience for the professionals in the UAE's vibrant semiconductor industry.
It should help Abu Dhabi develop indigenous know-how in 3D chipmaking - an area that will soon be the crux of our rapidly evolving high-tech world.
- Dr Irfan Saadat is a professor of microsystems engineering at the Masdar Institute of Science and Technology
The rules on fostering in the UAE
A foster couple or family must:
- be Muslim, Emirati and be residing in the UAE
- not be younger than 25 years old
- not have been convicted of offences or crimes involving moral turpitude
- be free of infectious diseases or psychological and mental disorders
- have the ability to support its members and the foster child financially
- undertake to treat and raise the child in a proper manner and take care of his or her health and well-being
- A single, divorced or widowed Muslim Emirati female, residing in the UAE may apply to foster a child if she is at least 30 years old and able to support the child financially
At a glance
Global events: Much of the UK’s economic woes were blamed on “increased global uncertainty”, which can be interpreted as the economic impact of the Ukraine war and the uncertainty over Donald Trump’s tariffs.
Growth forecasts: Cut for 2025 from 2 per cent to 1 per cent. The OBR watchdog also estimated inflation will average 3.2 per cent this year
Welfare: Universal credit health element cut by 50 per cent and frozen for new claimants, building on cuts to the disability and incapacity bill set out earlier this month
Spending cuts: Overall day-to day-spending across government cut by £6.1bn in 2029-30
Tax evasion: Steps to crack down on tax evasion to raise “£6.5bn per year” for the public purse
Defence: New high-tech weaponry, upgrading HM Naval Base in Portsmouth
Housing: Housebuilding to reach its highest in 40 years, with planning reforms helping generate an extra £3.4bn for public finances
Iftar programme at the Sheikh Mohammed Centre for Cultural Understanding
Established in 1998, the Sheikh Mohammed Centre for Cultural Understanding was created with a vision to teach residents about the traditions and customs of the UAE. Its motto is ‘open doors, open minds’. All year-round, visitors can sign up for a traditional Emirati breakfast, lunch or dinner meal, as well as a range of walking tours, including ones to sites such as the Jumeirah Mosque or Al Fahidi Historical Neighbourhood.
Every year during Ramadan, an iftar programme is rolled out. This allows guests to break their fast with the centre’s presenters, visit a nearby mosque and observe their guides while they pray. These events last for about two hours and are open to the public, or can be booked for a private event.
Until the end of Ramadan, the iftar events take place from 7pm until 9pm, from Saturday to Thursday. Advanced booking is required.
For more details, email openminds@cultures.ae or visit www.cultures.ae
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
NO OTHER LAND
Director: Basel Adra, Yuval Abraham, Rachel Szor, Hamdan Ballal
Stars: Basel Adra, Yuval Abraham
Rating: 3.5/5
Real estate tokenisation project
Dubai launched the pilot phase of its real estate tokenisation project last month.
The initiative focuses on converting real estate assets into digital tokens recorded on blockchain technology and helps in streamlining the process of buying, selling and investing, the Dubai Land Department said.
Dubai’s real estate tokenisation market is projected to reach Dh60 billion ($16.33 billion) by 2033, representing 7 per cent of the emirate’s total property transactions, according to the DLD.
Match info
Manchester United 0-0 Crystal Palace
Man of the match: Cheikhou Kouyate (Crystal Palace)
In numbers: PKK’s money network in Europe
Germany: PKK collectors typically bring in $18 million in cash a year – amount has trebled since 2010
Revolutionary tax: Investigators say about $2 million a year raised from ‘tax collection’ around Marseille
Extortion: Gunman convicted in 2023 of demanding $10,000 from Kurdish businessman in Stockholm
Drug trade: PKK income claimed by Turkish anti-drugs force in 2024 to be as high as $500 million a year
Denmark: PKK one of two terrorist groups along with Iranian separatists ASMLA to raise “two-digit million amounts”
Contributions: Hundreds of euros expected from typical Kurdish families and thousands from business owners
TV channel: Kurdish Roj TV accounts frozen and went bankrupt after Denmark fined it more than $1 million over PKK links in 2013
Formula Middle East Calendar (Formula Regional and Formula 4)
Round 1: January 17-19, Yas Marina Circuit – Abu Dhabi
Round 2: January 22-23, Yas Marina Circuit – Abu Dhabi
Round 3: February 7-9, Dubai Autodrome – Dubai
Round 4: February 14-16, Yas Marina Circuit – Abu Dhabi
Round 5: February 25-27, Jeddah Corniche Circuit – Saudi Arabia
How to donate
Send “thenational” to the following numbers or call the hotline on: 0502955999
2289 – Dh10
2252 – Dh 50
6025 – Dh20
6027 – Dh 100
6026 – Dh 200
BULKWHIZ PROFILE
Date started: February 2017
Founders: Amira Rashad (CEO), Yusuf Saber (CTO), Mahmoud Sayedahmed (adviser), Reda Bouraoui (adviser)
Based: Dubai, UAE
Sector: E-commerce
Size: 50 employees
Funding: approximately $6m
Investors: Beco Capital, Enabling Future and Wain in the UAE; China's MSA Capital; 500 Startups; Faith Capital and Savour Ventures in Kuwait
Bert van Marwijk factfile
Born: May 19 1952
Place of birth: Deventer, Netherlands
Playing position: Midfielder
Teams managed:
1998-2000 Fortuna Sittard
2000-2004 Feyenoord
2004-2006 Borussia Dortmund
2007-2008 Feyenoord
2008-2012 Netherlands
2013-2014 Hamburg
2015-2017 Saudi Arabia
2018 Australia
Major honours (manager):
2001/02 Uefa Cup, Feyenoord
2007/08 KNVB Cup, Feyenoord
World Cup runner-up, Netherlands
The%20specs
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Company profile
Company name: Suraasa
Started: 2018
Founders: Rishabh Khanna, Ankit Khanna and Sahil Makker
Based: India, UAE and the UK
Industry: EdTech
Initial investment: More than $200,000 in seed funding
Drishyam 2
Directed by: Jeethu Joseph
Starring: Mohanlal, Meena, Ansiba, Murali Gopy
Rating: 4 stars
Teams in the EHL
White Bears, Al Ain Theebs, Dubai Mighty Camels, Abu Dhabi Storms, Abu Dhabi Scorpions and Vipers