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The first flexible high-resolution displays will be produced using materials handling techniques that have been developed to allow the use of existing thin transistor fabrication facilities. NICK COLANERI, Flexible Display Center, Arizona State University, Phoenix, AZ

The impact of TSV-induced stresses on transistor performance are simulated, and a "keep-out-zone" is identified. Ricardo Borges, Victor Moroz and Xiaopeng Xu, Synopsys, Mountain View, CA.

Acoustic micro imaging enables quick, non-destructive evaluation and can detect whether materials are bonded or not. TOM ADAMS, Sonoscan, Inc., Elk Grove Village, IL

The Nanodefect Center is tackling the big challenges in particle detection, characterization and mitigation for critical supply chain components and materials. VIBHU JINDAL, SEMATECH, Albany, NY

There's a need for greater R&D efficiency in the semiconductorindustry. SCOTT JONES, Alix Partners, San Francisco, CA

Semiconductor and LED manufacturers are interested in automating the film frame handling process as a means to increase throughput and yield in their BEOL processes. BOB FUNG and JACK YAO, Owens Design, Fremont, CA

The switch to 450mm will likely be the largest, most expensive retooling the semiconductor industry has ever experienced. 450mm fabs, which will give an unbeatable competitive advantage to the largest semiconductor manufacturers, are likely to cost $10 billion and come on-line in 2017, with production ramp in 2018.

In what might be a case of the cobbler's children finally getting new shoes, new algorithms and control technology ??? powered by advanced semiconductors, of course ??? are enabling "intelligent" real-time flow error detection in mass flow controllers (MFCs).

A year ago, GlobalFoundries (GF) CTO Bartlett announced the installation of TSV production tools for the company's 20nm technology platform and announced that "the first full flow silicon with TSVs was expected to start running at Fab 8 (Saratoga, NY) in Q3 2012 with mass production expected in 2014 and the 2.5D line (their 65 nm Fab 7 line in Singapore) had a similar time schedule as the 3D line in the United States."

RoHS 2 is the second phase of the European Union's (EU) Restriction on Hazardous Substances (RoHS).

Yole D??veloppement announced its new report "UV LEDs: Technology & Application Trends" which presents UV LED new applications and associated market metrics for the period 2012-2020, and a deep analysis of UV LED technology and UV LED lighting industry.

At the International Semiconductor Strategy Symposium (ISS Europe), the European semiconductor industry affirmed its ability to innovate.

After reaching a worrisome high in the third quarter of 2012, global semiconductor inventories held by chip suppliers fell at a surprisingly fast rate in the fourth quarter, led by dramatic reductions for market leader Intel Corp.

Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute student Ming Ma has developed a new method to manufacture light-emitting diodes (LEDs) that are brighter, more energy efficient, and have superior technical properties than those on the market today.