“We need open research across borders to look beyond the present and prepare for the future. This will enable sustainable technology which pushes limitations.”
The Revolutionary Technology Center (RTC), established under SK hynix’s Future Technology Research Institute, conducts global research on the memory technologies of tomorrow. In order for RTC to go beyond the technical boundaries of semiconductor memory, the center actively communicates and collaborates with various international research organizations. To find out more, the SK hynix Newsroom met with three RTC members who are expanding the center’s research by working with two major organizations—the Interuniversity Microelectronics Center (IMEC) in Belgium and the U.S.-based Semiconductor Research Corporation (SRC) . In the interview, RTC Technical Leaders (TL) Jaegil Lee, Yulim Son, and Wontae Koo discuss the center’s global R&D culture and research vision for the future.
1Interuniversity Microelectronics Center (IMEC): Established in 1984, IMEC is a non-profit semiconductor research organization based in Belgium. It operates as a joint industry-academia-research technology development consortium and includes major E.U. universities and leading global semiconductor companies.
2Semiconductor Research Corporation (SRC): A world-class technical research cooperative organization founded in 1982 by Erich Bloch of IBM. It is a partner of the Semiconductor Industry Association (SIA) and operates a variety of programs to meet the technology and talent development needs of the semiconductor industry.
▲ (From left) RTC Future Memory Research team members Wontae Koo, Yulim Son, and Jaegil Lee
Realizing Synergies With IMEC
Jaegil Lee recently returned to RTC at its Icheon campus in South Korea following his secondment to IMEC. IMEC, one of the top three semiconductor research centers in Europe, focuses on researching advanced technologies which are difficult for businesses to implement. In particular, it functions as a test bed to determine the potential of next-generation technologies at an early stage, and conducts research collaborations and exchanges with leading global semiconductor companies. SK hynix has been an IMEC member since 2007 and has consistently strengthened its partnership with the center over the years to research future technologies.
▲ RTC’s Jaegil Lee speaks about his two-year secondment at IMEC
“When the decision was made to send me to IMEC, I was most looking forward to experiencing in person the advanced technologies which the center is researching and working on new projects together,” Lee said.
During his two years at IMEC, he achieved several notable feats including the discovery and valuation of new devices. He also initiated several projects and conducted joint research.
In his role as an on-site manager of the research program between RTC and IMEC, Lee worked with IMEC researchers as well as managers and engineers from other member companies. “I was impressed by the fact that IMEC is not only a research center, but also a place to exchange technologies and opinions across the semiconductor ecosystem,” he said. “Interacting with researchers from various industries, regardless of their affiliation or nationality, expanded my thinking and opened my eyes to the strengths and synergies of collaborative research.”
▲ IMEC’s Technical Account Director Alessio Spessot and RTC’s Jaegil Lee discuss IMEC’s work
IMEC’s Technical Account Director Alessio Spessot, who is in charge of managing and supporting fieldwork for dispatched researchers at the center, emphasized the importance of collaboration in the industry.
“Semiconductor research can only be completed when the industry ecosystem moves together and helps each other,” he said. “IMEC conducts collaborative research to determine the R&D direction which helps to develop a good overview of research tasks needed in the industry and form a relevant roadmap.
“SK hynix’s dispatched researchers, executives and employees of related departments at the company headquarters are providing feedback on the progress and assisting with research.”
Conducting Global Open Research With SRC
Funded by the U.S. government, related groups and over 30 global semiconductor companies, SRC creates and supports industry-academia research programs and shares the results. Currently, about 2,400 research professors and 14,000 students from 250 universities in 25 countries are taking part in SRC activities. As an SRC member, SK hynix has participated in various related research programs. These programs have enhanced the RTC’s research capabilities and cooperation with partner organizations, and helped to foster industry manpower.
▲ The RTC researchers discuss the center’s global research collaborations
As SRC is one of the main partners of the RTC’s open research platform3, joint research projects are conducted on a regular basis. To facilitate these projects, RTC’s Wontae Koo and Yulim Son carry out various related tasks.
3Open research platform (ORP): A platform that conducts research that is widely accessible and develops an open ecosystem by encouraging research collaborations.
Koo monitors research on future technologies by overseas research groups participating in the SRC program and explores new technologies. Through this, he secures a pool of technologies which can be used in the company’s next-generation memory products and conducts research by thoroughly analyzing and verifying technologies with high potential. Meanwhile, Son is in charge of communicating the status of joint research projects to RTC to ensure they are useful to the center, and disseminates the results to related departments within SK hynix.
▲ RTC’s Wontae Koo and Yulim Son talk about their work with SRC
This strong communication led to a major achievement for Koo. He exchanged feedback with overseas research groups participating in the SRC program and was recognized for his contribution by being listed as a co-author on a paper. “While analyzing SRC research materials that would be helpful to RTC, I discovered a project which could proceed to simulation by combining our data,” he said. “Through communication with professors and researchers, we developed the content in a beneficial direction which led to me being listed as a co-author in an international journal.”
Koo’s achievement highlights how global SRC members participate in project selection and frequently share research progress. Furthermore, there is active communication between member companies and researchers.
▲ An SRC technology research workshop held at Icheon campus on November 9th, 2023
In addition to industry-academia research projects, RTC is continuing various exchanges with SRC. On November 9th, 2023, RTC held a technology research workshop with SRC faculty. During the event, participants shared research and technology insights on topics such as future devices and technologies, processes and materials, and package and system design. The sessions were also broadcast online to boost members’ interest in future technology research.
Son, who helped plan and operate the workshop, said: “SRC is the optimal platform for those who are looking for future technology research trends and new learning opportunities.
A Global Culture for Research Without Borders
▲ The interviewees share their thoughts on the benefits of the RTC’s global outlook
As semiconductor technology advances, the issues that must be solved to develop next-generation solutions are becoming increasingly complex. In order to effectively respond to the rapidly changing business environment and trends and lead future technology research, RTC aims to expand its research partnerships rather than rely solely on its own capabilities.
“Collaborations with global research institutes and diverse experts are an effective way to reduce research times and costs, and accelerate the realization of future technologies,” said Son.
As academia and industry have different perspectives on technology, collaboration is a means for each sector to complement each other. Koo said: “While those in academia focus on the technology itself and study its principles and feasibility, researchers in the industry consider the product applicability and marketability of the technology in many ways.
“Communication through such collaboration is mutually beneficial. It is an opportunity to understand and expand the semiconductor ecosystem,” Koo added. “RTC is trying to analyze possibilities with an open mind while maintaining a balanced view on new technologies by accepting the perspectives of both academia and industry.”
Lee emphasized that RTC already operates with a global culture as it conducts open research on advanced technologies which crosses borders. “I think the current RTC research culture is open and horizontal so it is no different from IMEC,” he said. “This is because we have a global mindset which allows for the free expression of opinions and provides sufficient support to develop small ideas. Based on this, RTC will be able to predict the markets of tomorrow and develop appropriate new technologies.”
Researching the Technologies of Tomorrow
As noted by the interviewees, RTC recognizes the importance of global research collaborations in the semiconductor industry to share different opinions and technologies and propel the sector forward. Looking ahead, RTC will further strengthen its partnerships with international research organizations to ensure it continues to develop future memory solutions which push technological limits.
RTC operates a research website (https://research.skhynix.com) to share insights on its ongoing research of future technologies and to actively communicate with various global research organizations.
