| The IEEE has assumed a leadership position in the | | | | On March 28, 2008, IEEE-SA approved the first NESR |
| development of nanoelectronics standards. The | | | | Project Authorization Request (PAR) to create a |
| factors driving the development of these standards | | | | standards working group on "Nanomaterials |
| are the need for reproducibility of results, international | | | | Characterization and Use in Large Scale Electronics |
| collaboration, and a common means of communicating | | | | Manufacturing." The PAR is denoted PAR1784. The |
| across traditional scientific disciplines. This activity is | | | | purpose of this standard is to enable the quick, low-risk |
| driven by the IEEE Nanotechnology Council (NTC), an | | | | adoption of nanomaterials into large-scale electronics |
| interdisciplinary group with members representing 21 | | | | manufacturing. In addition, a best set of common |
| IEEE societies. NTC is currently involved in a variety of | | | | practices will be delineated for use in semiconductor |
| standards efforts and activities. | | | | fabs. |
| "IEEE Standard Test Methods for Measurement of | | | | Efforts in nanomaterial research and development for |
| Electrical Properties of Carbon Nanotubes" was one | | | | use in semiconductor VLSI technology are increasing |
| of the first nanotechnology standards with which the | | | | exponentially. The common availability of nanomaterials |
| IEEE became involved. This effort was driven by the | | | | is allowing engineers to explore new methods to |
| need for a way to reproduce and prove lab results on | | | | exploit the mechanical, electromagnetic, and quantum |
| a much larger scale and to establish common metrics | | | | properties of nanotubes, nanowires, and |
| and a minimum requirement for reporting. The | | | | nanoparticles-not just theoretically but experimentally. |
| standard's main purpose is to establish methods for | | | | To exploit the enhanced properties of new nano-scale |
| the electrical characterization of carbon nanotubes and | | | | materials fully, industries (including the semiconductor |
| the means of reporting performance and other data. | | | | industry) that use nano-enhanced materials must |
| These methods enable the creation of a suggested | | | | embrace a new set of best practices for large-scale |
| reporting standard that are used from the research | | | | manufacturing. |
| phase through manufacturing as the technology is | | | | What Benefits Do Standards Offer? |
| developed. Moreover, the standard recommends the | | | | Standards offer a major benefit to a technology by |
| necessary tools and procedures for validation. | | | | supporting its evolution. In fact, standards are the |
| It took more than two years to complete development | | | | defining precursor of products whose intended |
| of the IEEE 1650 standard, which was approved in | | | | performance they prescribe. A variety of benefits are |
| December 2005. Since then, other standards bodies | | | | attributable to standards: |
| have been busy developing their own standards. In | | | | They give end users confidence that products are |
| addition, the IEEE Standards Association (IEEE-SA) | | | | safe and reliable, and that they will perform as they |
| has been exploring support for the adoption of IEEE | | | | are intended. Standards establish consistent |
| 1650 by several international bodies. For example, in | | | | expectations and help ensure those expectations are |
| collaboration with the NTC, IEEE-SA pursued a | | | | met. |
| dual-logo agreement for the 1650 standard with the | | | | Standards create a common language that |
| International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC) | | | | manufacturers and end users can use to |
| Technical Committee 113, Working Group 3 | | | | communicate on issues like quality and safety. |
| Performance of Nanomaterials for Electrotechnical | | | | Standards help promote product compatibility and |
| Components and Systems. Last November, the IEC | | | | interoperability. |
| TC 113 decided to adopt ANSI/IEEE Std1650 -2005 as | | | | Standards help overcome trade barriers for global |
| a dual logo. | | | | markets. |
| IEEE P1690 | | | | Standards foster the diffusion and adoption of new |
| Breakthroughs in nanotechnology have received | | | | technologies. In addition to giving participants in the |
| greater attention during the past few years, in part due | | | | development process early access to technical |
| to significant advances in materials performance and | | | | know-how, participants can influence how certain test |
| processing techniques. One potential impediment to | | | | or measurement guidelines can be documented, |
| widespread introduction of carbon nanotubes used as | | | | thereby affecting the content of the standard. |
| additives in bulk materials is the lack of defined | | | | Participating in the development of IEEE 1650 is a good |
| standards for their characterization. Also, methods for | | | | example of how companies can gain a competitive |
| reporting performance and other data have not been | | | | advantage by participating in the development of |
| established; each scientist or engineer has | | | | standards. Participation in standards development also |
| independently developed measurement procedures | | | | offers advantages for the public sector by spurring |
| that may or may not be definitively comparable with | | | | improved national competitiveness, education, and job |
| the results of others. To address these concerns, | | | | creation. |
| IEEE-SA approved the creation of the IEEE P1690TM | | | | The Expanding Standards Community |
| Working Group in late 2005. A team was tasked with | | | | Participants from the public and private sectors have |
| developing "Standard Methods for the Characterization | | | | traditionally written most of the standards because |
| of Carbon Nanotubes Used as Additives in Bulk | | | | they tend to derive the greatest benefit from them. |
| Materials." The standard will suggest procedures for | | | | Although the academic community has been relatively |
| characterizing and reporting data that will be used by | | | | slow to get involved in standards development, the |
| research through manufacturing; methods will be | | | | public and private sectors have often called upon them |
| independent of processing routes used to fabricate the | | | | to provide expertise because of their experience in |
| carbon nanotubes. The standard will recommend the | | | | validating applications-oriented research. Having the |
| necessary tools and procedures for validation. | | | | public, private, and academic communities unite |
| The NESR Initiative | | | | together to develop standards for international |
| The NanoElectronics Standards Roadmap (NESR) | | | | adoption is in everyone's best interests. |
| Initiative is working to create a framework through | | | | Thinking Globally |
| which the IEEE-SA and the nanoelectronics community | | | | Standards development must be a global effort. |
| can work in cooperation to define a roadmap for | | | | Certain countries around the world are making it a |
| nanoelectronics standards that will: | | | | primary part of their own research plans. For example, |
| > Identify high-value standards opportunities | | | | the Chinese Ministry of Science and Technology has |
| > Frame near-term standards | | | | made the drafting of nanotechnology research |
| > Leverage, not duplicate, existing sources | | | | standards part of its national basic research plan. |
| > Stimulate industry collaboration | | | | Other countries are striving for leadership positions |
| > Accelerate nanoelectronics standards development | | | | within standards organizations so that they can help |
| > Establish a framework for proactive management | | | | shape the standards to which everyone must adhere. |
| of standards | | | | One of the many challenges that must be overcome |
| Those involved in the NESR Initiative are responsible | | | | is how to prioritize which standards to develop next, |
| for developing and driving a standards roadmap that | | | | based on measurement best practices and |
| will help electronic nanotechnology innovations make a | | | | characterization processes. We need to understand |
| smooth transition from the laboratory to the | | | | whether the measurement tools available today are |
| marketplace in the communications, information | | | | the right tools from an international perspective. |
| technology, consumer products and optoelectronics | | | | Although international barriers must be taken into |
| sectors. The NESR roadmap has gained considerable | | | | account, creating an international working collective will |
| interest from representatives of the International | | | | simplify the development of standards and allow for |
| Technology Roadmap for Semiconductors and the | | | | broader acceptance. Currently, no one country is in |
| International Electronics Manufacturing Initiative. | | | | complete control nor is there one standard that |
| Members are currently focusing on nanomaterials and | | | | predominates, but global agreements will be necessary |
| devices that will have a short-term impact on industry, | | | | if nano standards development is to stay in synch with |
| while also assessing the long-term needs of an | | | | the technologies themselves. This need creates |
| electronics industry based on nanoelectronic | | | | opportunities for everyone. Standard development is a |
| architectures. Within these areas, standards have been | | | | people project and virtually every standards |
| prioritized by testing them against four criteria: | | | | development organizations could put your efforts to |
| Technology maturity: Is the technology well enough | | | | good use, whether you're an engineering student, an |
| understood to standardize? | | | | academic, or someone who works in the public or |
| Clear near-term applications: Does the standard | | | | private sectors. Participating in standards development |
| eliminate near-term roadblocks, ensuring a rapid | | | | is an excellent way to begin to establish oneself as an |
| payback for the effort involved? | | | | expert. While it doesn't take up much time, your |
| High business value: Does the standard offer multiple | | | | reward can be increased visibility for you and your |
| device-circuit-application "threads"? | | | | organization. |
| Fits IEEE role - Nanoelectronics: Does the definition of | | | | This is the second of a two-part series about |
| electronics stretch a bit at the nanoscale level? | | | | standards in nano technology. |