News

Micron (Boise) joins R&D collaboration – 4 chip makers, N.Y. state will spend $600 million on microchip project

Four of the world’s largest computer chip makers — including Boise-based Micron Technology Inc. — and New York state will spend $600 million over the next five years on a research, education and economic development project focused on creating the next generation of computer microchips while limiting costs.

The project, to be officially launched today, will get $200 million in funding and equipment from Armonk-based IBM Corp., Sunnyvale, Calif.-based Advanced Micro Devices Inc., Infineon Technologies AG of Germany and Micron. The state of New York is contributing $180 million. More than $200 million is coming from numerous companies that provide the materials and equipment used to make semiconductors.

Analysts say such collaboration is needed in the industry with research and development costs skyrocketing in recent years because of advances in the speed and intricacy of semiconductors.

"Chip companies have continued to make things smaller and faster, and it gets increasingly more difficult to do this," said Bob Johnson, an industry analyst with the Gartner market research firm. "They have recognized they need to pool R&D money to forward basic research."

Mark Johnson
The Associated Press

Full Story: http://www.idahostatesman.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20050719/NEWS0202/507190320/1029/NEWS02

Sorry, we couldn't find any posts. Please try a different search.

Leave a Comment

You must be logged in to post a comment.