Overview

The Midwest Institute for Nanoelectronics Discovery (MIND) is one of four centers funded by the Semiconductor Research Corporation's Nanoelectronics Research Initiative (NRI).

MIND is based at the University of Notre Dame and includes related research conducted at Cornell University, Georgia Institute of Technology, Pennsylvania State University, Purdue University, University of Illinois, University of Michigan, and University of Texas-Dallas. Collaborations also link the National Institute of Standards and Technology, Argonne National Laboratory, and the National High Magnetic Field Laboratory.

The common goal of the NRI centers is to discover and develop the next nanoscale logic device—one with performance capabilities beyond conventional devices, enabling it to become the basic building block of future computers.

Specifically, MIND research is organized around two themes: energy-efficient devices and energy-efficient systems.

Energy-efficient devices: This research encompasses the development of (1) graphene transistors based on spin, tunneling, and thermal rectification, (2) tunnel transistors with low-voltage and low-subthreshold-swing, (3) quantum transport modeling tools, as well as the engineering of (4) energy dissipation in nonequilibrium devices.

Energy-efficient systems: This work explores systems architectures to utilize the novel properties of devices developed within NRI. Magnetic cellular automata (MCA) is a core focus area. Circuit modeling and design for NRI device technology will be used to benchmark and guide the development of beyond-CMOS technology.

In addition to funding from NRI, MIND is supported by the City of South Bend (Indiana) and the State of Indiana. Over the next three years, support for MIND will exceed $25 million.