IBM agrees R&D deal

IBM and Matheson Tri-Gas have signed a four-year agreement to jointly develop new manufacturing materials and processes for 32nm semiconductor technology.

IBM will collaborate with Matheson Tri-Gas to research and develop new high purity gas molecules and new delivery systems for the manufacturing of atomic-scale semiconductors.

Engineers from the two companies and Matheson Tri-Gas' parent company, Taiyo Nippon Sanso Corporation, will conduct joint research and development at the College of Nanoscale Science and Engineering's Albany NanoTech Complex.

‘Taiyo Nippon Sanso Group including Matheson Tri-Gas' cutting-edge source gases and advanced purification equipment, when integrated with IBM's CMOS research capabilities, enables both companies to accelerate the pace of semiconductor innovation,’ said Bernie Meyerson, vice president Strategic Alliances and chief technical officer for IBM Systems & Technology Group. ‘In our business model, where we pool individual research strengths and intellectual property, we are able to reduce the significant costs associated with the research required to create the next generation of chip technology.’