IBM Claims World's Smallest SRAM Memory Cell

nokiator writes "IBM issued a press release today claiming that it has built an SRAM memory cell that is ten times smaller than those currently available. My interpretation of the PRese in this release is that IBM will be able to build 256Mb or 512Mb SRAM chips or integrate 32MB or more SRAM into processor dies for cache applications in the future. Of course, showing some SRAM cell prototypes is a long ways from being able to manufacture this technology in a cost effective way. There is no information in this PR about the speed or power consumption of SRAM blocks that can be built with this new cell technology. This is not likely to be a potential DRAM replacement for mainstream applications as DRAM already offers more than ten times density compared to SRAM at much better cost."

Comments

These memory cells are so small...

[Anonymous Coward]

...they can only store zeros. They are working feverishly on scaling them up to store ones.

Re:These memory cells are so small...

[Moocowsia]

I can see it now. "6.40 Nanometers ought be enough for anybody." Bill Gates, 2010:

Re:IBM Rocks

[scaaven]

What are you talking about? Dell makes neat cases.

SRAM has plusses and minuses.

[Sheetrock]

As mentioned in the article, SRAM (Static RAM) is many times faster than DRAM (Dynamic RAM) while simultaneously offering a smaller footprint.

However, I wonder if the additional implementation requirements justify the benefits. Static typing is only found in certain computer languages, and programmers have come to rely on dynamic memory allocation offered by malloc() or similar routines. I suspect with careful design one could fully exploit the advantages present -- with software being cheaper than hardware, it could easily be well worth it in embedded or pre-fabricated devices.

The type of implementor that uses (dynamic) extreme programming methodologies may be left out in the cold, although I would like to suggest that would occur anyway to a person working without a blueprint. Regardless, it will be exciting to see how this develops from the embedded perspective...

Re:50.000 at the end of a human hair

[CtrlPhreak]

IBM just decided they wanted a new measurement system, the number at end of a human hair, or naeoahh. Everyone just needs to get used to this, much as our loc data size measurement, number of volkswagons for volume, and football feilds for length. We now have naeohh for density.

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[account_deleted]

Comment removed based on user account deletion

Re:50.000 at the end of a human hair

[Nurf]

They say 50.000 at the end of a human hair. Do anybody know the actual size of this cell?

Not only that, but they don't even mention how many Libraries of Congress those cells store! How am I supposed to compare press releases from different companies if they don't use the complete set of PR specs? Sheesh.

I'll do better than that...

[mykepredko]

I'd be happy to design a circuit that will store an unlimited both ones and zeros in 19 sq nanometers for free.

If you want to read them back, well that's gonna cost you.

myke

Re:50.000 at the end of a human hair

[Anonymous Coward]

Slightly bigger than an angel.

Correction: SRAM stands for "Synchronous RAM"

[fireboy1919]

You, sir, are the man.

You convinced at least five posters that you were serious while simultaneously spouting an illogical collection of computer-related jargon and utterly false statements. I expect to see you here again on April 1st.

Calm down, take a few valium...

[cbreaker]

And explain: What are you saying you like, Dell, or IBM? Because I can't figure it out.

...no more fans! yay!

[Anonymous Coward]

Static RAM is a GREAT idea. Now if they can figure out how to make the rest of the components in the machine run off of static (CPU, hard drive, etc.) then we can throw away our power supplies altogether!