Berkeley Lab

Challenges and Opportunities Beyond Moore’s Law

Cherry Murray, Professor at the University of Arizona, opened the morning plenary session of the User Meeting as our first keynote speaker. Professor Murray has outstanding experience in policy and the development of scientific strategy.

In her talk, she discussed her recent work and participation in a DOE “Basic Research Needs” workshop on microelectronics. (The report is coming out soon!)

The growing needs in data science calls for the new technology and process development. How are we going to support our computing and data needs in the future? We need to redesign and revolutionize memory and data storage; reimagine infrastructure flow unconstrained by interconnects and develop new information flow technologies; and perhaps redefine computing by leveraging unexploited physical phenomena. Taking inspiration from biology, machine learning, and brain-inspired computing, we need to imagine technologies that could be manufacturable 30 years from now (instead of just 5 years from now).

To create a new computing paradigm, we will need new materials and devices. These new technologies will enable us to not only improve our computing abilities for data science, but have widespread implications for other areas like solid state power for electronics and devices that can modernize our aging electrical grid.

The Department of Energy has issued a Request for Information on the topic of microelectronics, leading up to a significant research investment in this area. If you have any ideas on this field, submit them by August 30!