There is a theory called Moore’s Law that has come to be quite valuable to the developers of Intel. It states that the numbers of transistors that can fit onto a silicon chip will double every 18 months.
The accuracy of this 50-year-old statement means that there is a continual need for research and development.
Intel’s ventures into Ireland show how important it is for the company to branch out into new research projects and partnerships.
The results provide better tech, clearer direction and improved products. This work continues across internal groups, national research centres and Irish universities. In addition to this, there is also communication with government and European bodies.
Intel And Manufacture Research
Manufacture research is a vital part of the work at Intel. All the right components have to come together in the right way to form a finished product. Efficiency and effective processing make a big difference.
The Advanced Process Control research does this by looking at new processes that offer greater consistency and effects. This includes systems with the ability to self-learn. There are a lot of individual processes here, which means that they cannot do this alone.
Intel collaborates with PhD and post-doctorate candidates from Dublin City University (DCU) and the National University of Ireland, Maynooth (NUIM). Both sides see substantial value in the blend of academic and business approaches to the problems faced.
Intel And AMBER
To create the best chips and processors, Intel needs the right materials. This is where AMBER comes in.
AMBER is a part of the Centre for Research on Adaptive Nanostructures and Nanodevices and is the leading national research centre. This is largely down to the partnership between three of the country’s leading academic institutions. They are Trinity College Dublin (TCD) and University College Cork (UCC) and the Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland.
The current focus is on new silicon contacts and transistor applications, as well as self-assembling structures. This nanotech could change the way that developers build these structures.
Intel And The Tyndall National Institute
The Tyndall National Institute is one of the best organisations to partner up with Intel in Ireland. This is because they are one of Europe’s leading hardware research centres for ICT units.
Much of the work takes place in Cork, with researchers from University College Cork (UCC) and Cork Institute of Technology (CIT). This is interesting as it shows that academic interactions are broad, having seen Dublin, Trinity and Maynooth above.
Again, there is a focus here on developments in nanotech. However, there is also a desire to look further at the issues of processing, packaging and integration of materials.
Intel has funded research programmes here since 2010, and they are one of their top researchers. Current interests include the development of photonics through the Irish Photonic Integration Centre.
Intel And Ireland’s Competence Centres
Wherever Intel go, they find themselves at the mercy of Irish Government’s Competence Centres. These centres are the result of the 2006-2013 Strategy for Science, Technology and Innovation.
Funding comes from the Investment and Development Agency (IDA Ireland) and Enterprise Ireland (EI). The aim is to ensure that all those involved maintain the expected standards via reliable networking. This occurs through market-focused strategic research via industry researcher.
Keen to do their bit, Intel created three centres of their own. They are the Energy Efficiency Competence Centre (I2E2), Irish Centre for Manufacturing Research (ICMR) and the Competence Centre for Applied Nanotechnology (CCAN). The latter currently looks at nanobiotechnology and nanomedicine and ways to ensure that Ireland comes out ahead.
Intel And European Collaborative Research
Finally, it is important to look at Intel’s work in Ireland in a wider context. This is not just research and development on a national level. This is work that has continental significance. Ireland’s nanotech industry and the partnerships with Intel make the country a leading figure in Europe.
This all means that Intel is part of the European Framework Programme (FP) for Collaborative Research. This means that they can reach out to developers and academics across the continent for further help.
Additional funding for this venture comes from the H2020 programme for Excellent Science and Industrial Leadership. Current interests here include research into carbon nanotubes, the motion of electrons and the potential of light as a charge.