Redefining semiconductor industry R&D

The semiconductor industry is increasingly assessing alternative methods and models that can boost R&D efficiency and effectiveness. Most semiconductor companies believe that the expected return on R&D investment is to reach market with new and improved products quickly and cost effectively. This is typically achieved through an iterative process of learning cycles in both device design and manufacturing process integration. Significant energy also has been invested over the years to create EDA systems that make product design more efficient. However, innovations other than dimensional scaling, such as novel materials and device architectures, are the primary drivers of semiconductor R&D. Combinatorial development techniques, which have a strong track record in the pharmaceutical and energy sectors, also offer the industry tools to achieve accelerated learning rates.