NJIT Engineers Reduce Power Consumption in Future Computer Memory – NJIT News |

Advancements in Resistive RAM Technology and its Contribution to Sustainable Development Goals

A recent research collaboration between the New Jersey Institute of Technology (NJIT) and Tokyo Electron has yielded significant advancements in the development of resistive RAM (RRAM), a form of non-volatile computer memory. The findings, which focus on drastically reducing power consumption, align directly with several United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly those concerning energy, innovation, and climate action.

Research Background and Technological Challenges

Resistive RAM is a type of non-volatile memory, capable of retaining data without a power source. Despite its potential, widespread commercial adoption has been hindered by engineering challenges, most notably high power consumption. The core of the device’s function relies on a conductive filament connecting two electrodes. The primary objective of the research was to engineer a more energy-efficient and reliable filament.

Innovative Methodology and Key Findings

Engineering of the Switching Layer

The research team, led by Professor Durga Misra, developed a novel method to enhance the performance of the RRAM device. The key innovation involves the strategic application of hydrogen plasma to a zirconium dioxide (ZrO2) switching layer. The team refined this process by creating a bi-layer structure and applying the plasma treatment at a specific point during deposition.

Primary Research Outcomes

• Optimized Oxygen Vacancies: The use of a bi-layer structure created a graded distribution of oxygen vacancies, with a higher concentration near the top electrode, which proved crucial for efficient switching.
• Plasma Treatment Timing: Applying plasma treatment at the midpoint of the deposition process, particularly with a thinner bottom layer and a thicker top layer, resulted in a significant reduction in switching power.
• Controlled Filament Formation: This method provides a controllable alternative to previous techniques that relied on reducing oxygen flow, which was often unmanageable and produced inconsistent results.

Impact on Global Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)

The outcomes of this research present a direct and measurable impact on global sustainability targets by addressing the energy-intensive nature of modern computing.

SDG 7: Affordable and Clean Energy & SDG 13: Climate Action

The most significant contribution is the drastic reduction in energy consumption. The research demonstrates:

1. A power consumption reduction of up to 500 times in a single optimized device compared to untreated devices.
2. A potential power reduction of up to 100 times in large-scale applications such as data centers.

By lowering the energy requirements for memory components, this innovation contributes to reducing the overall carbon footprint of the digital economy, a key objective of SDG 13.

SDG 9: Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure

This technological breakthrough represents a critical innovation in the electronics industry. By developing more efficient and reliable memory devices, the research supports the creation of resilient and sustainable technological infrastructure, which is the cornerstone of SDG 9.

SDG 12: Responsible Consumption and Production

The development of low-power electronic components promotes more sustainable production and consumption patterns. Energy-efficient technology reduces the lifecycle environmental impact of electronic devices, aligning with the principles of SDG 12.

Future Research Directives and Objectives

While the power consumption hurdle has been significantly lowered, further research is underway to address remaining challenges and enhance device performance.

Current Challenges

• Device Stability: Researchers are working to improve the stability of the device’s resistance level, which can currently vary after approximately 1,000 operation cycles. This is being addressed through material science as well as peripheral circuit and system architecture design.
• Variability: Efforts are being made to reduce performance variability between devices to ensure consistency for commercial manufacturing.

Future Goals

The team aims to further reduce the switching power from 240 picowatts to a target of 40-50 picowatts per device. Achieving this goal would further amplify the technology’s positive impact on the Sustainable Development Goals by enabling even greater energy savings in data centers and consumer electronics.

Publication Details

The research, led by graduate student Aseel Zenati, is detailed in the paper titled “Engineering of ZrO2-based RRAM devices for low power in-memory computing,” published in the Journal of Vacuum Science and Technology – B.

1. Which SDGs are addressed or connected to the issues highlighted in the article?

• SDG 7: Affordable and Clean Energy – The core focus of the research is to drastically reduce the power consumption of computer memory, which directly contributes to energy efficiency.
• SDG 9: Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure – The article details a scientific and technological innovation resulting from a partnership between a university (NJIT) and a commercial entity (Tokyo Electron), aimed at improving industrial technology (computer memory).
• SDG 12: Responsible Consumption and Production – By creating technology that uses significantly less energy, the research promotes more sustainable production and consumption patterns, especially in the energy-intensive data center industry.
• SDG 13: Climate Action – Reducing energy consumption on a large scale, such as in data centers, directly leads to a reduction in the carbon footprint associated with power generation, thereby contributing to climate change mitigation efforts.

2. What specific targets under those SDGs can be identified based on the article’s content?

1. SDG 7: Affordable and Clean Energy

   • Target 7.3: By 2030, double the global rate of improvement in energy efficiency. The article directly addresses this target by describing a technological breakthrough that reduces power consumption “by 500 times” in a single device and “by 100 times” in a data center, representing a massive improvement in energy efficiency.

2. SDG 9: Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure

   • Target 9.4: By 2030, upgrade infrastructure and retrofit industries to make them sustainable, with increased resource-use efficiency and greater adoption of clean and environmentally sound technologies and industrial processes. The development of low-power resistive RAM is an environmentally sound technology that can make infrastructure like data centers more sustainable and resource-efficient.
   • Target 9.5: Enhance scientific research, upgrade the technological capabilities of industrial sectors in all countries… encouraging innovation. The article is a clear example of this target in action, detailing a research project (“insightful new research from NJIT and commercial partner Tokyo Electron”) that enhances scientific understanding and upgrades the technological capabilities of the electronics industry.

3. SDG 12: Responsible Consumption and Production

   • Target 12.2: By 2030, achieve the sustainable management and efficient use of natural resources. The research contributes to the efficient use of energy, a critical natural resource, by developing memory devices that require significantly less power to operate.

3. Are there any indicators mentioned or implied in the article that can be used to measure progress towards the identified targets?

1. For Target 7.3 (Improve energy efficiency):

   • Indicator: Reduction in power consumption. The article provides specific quantitative measures, stating the research “reduced the power consumption by 500 times” for a single device. It also mentions a goal to “reduce the switching power from 240 picowatts to 40-50 picowatts.” These figures are direct indicators of energy efficiency improvement.
   • Indicator: Reduction in data center power consumption. The article explicitly notes that the technology “could reduce power consumption by 100 times” in a data center, providing a clear metric for progress in large-scale infrastructure.

2. For Target 9.5 (Enhance scientific research and innovation):

   • Indicator: Publication of scientific research. The article states that the team’s research is “published as Engineering of ZrO2-based RRAM devices for low power in-memory computing from a recent issue of the Journal of Vacuum Science and Technology – B.” The publication of research in a peer-reviewed journal is a standard indicator of scientific output and progress.
   • Indicator: University-industry collaboration. The mention of the partnership between “NJIT and commercial partner Tokyo Electron” implies a collaborative research and development effort, which is an indicator of innovation being fostered between academia and industry.

4. Table of SDGs, Targets, and Indicators

Source: news.njit.edu