Weebit Nano packages first ReRAM memory chip
Weebit Nano has produced the first packaged units containing memory arrays based on its Silicon Oxide Resistive RAM (SiOx ReRAM) technology.
Israel-based Weebit Nano (ASX: WBT) has moved closer to commercialising its silicon oxide resistive random access memory (ReRAM) technology with the production of the first memory chips for shipping to partners for testing and refining.
The next generation chips will be delivered to universities to research the use of ReRAM in neuromorphic computing, used in the development of artificial intelligence, with additional chips planned for shipping to commercial partners engaged to work with Weebit’s technology.
Testing of silicon oxide ReRAM to date has been solely conducted at wafer level with Weebit’s France-based production partner and technology research institute Leti.
Weebit is now extracting memory arrays from those wafers and packaging them into devices similar to memory chips used in phones, computers and storage devices in order to facilitate further testing at other locations.
Weebit chief executive officer Coby Hanoch said the company is continuing to make “good progress” improving the quality of ReRAM in preparation for its use in commercial products.
“This next step towards commercialisation enables partners to use our memory chips in their facilities, and allows them to evaluate our technology as part of their decision process to engage with us,” he said.
Next generation technology
Weebit’s ReRAM innovation has been marketed as next generation technology, faster and more efficient than conventional flash memory.
The product utilises silicon oxide memory elements, believed to be the most common, studied and available dielectric material in the semiconductor industry which can assist in avoiding expensive capital industry re-tooling costs.
Silicon oxide componentry is claimed to be significantly cheaper, faster, more reliable and more energy-efficient than existing technology and is designed to help power the next generation of computing in applications such as artificial intelligence acceleration and the Internet of Things.
In June, Weebit Nano said its technology was “at the capacity of memory larger than what is currently being used across most of the embedded non-volatile memory (NVM) market”, estimated to be worth more than US$25 billion.
With the introduction of faster and more energy-efficient memories such as ReRAM, the market is expected to expand into a cornerstone of machine learning and artificial intelligence.
In April, Weebit Nano was selected as a finalist for the “2018 Red Herring Top 100 Europe” award, which recognises the year’s most promising technology ventures.
At midday, shares in Weebit Nano were trading 13.33% higher at $0.051.