A single electronic chip nowadays consists of billions and billions of transistors. Thanks to silicon technologies, advancement in fabrication and electronics have opened the doors for faster and efficient computers and systems. However, Moore’s law which predicts that the number of transistors doubles every year, is coming into a halt. Due to uncontrollable gate leakage caused by quantum mechanical tunneling in the channel. This phenomenon has limited our ability to produce transistors with channel length less than 10nm. Nevertheless, scientists and engineers are looking for novel and innovative techniques to overcome the gate leakage problem. It has been proposed that an additional control gate can produce high performance transistors with sub-micron channels. However, the addition of such gate adds another level of power usage which can affect the circuit power consumption. Other researchers are looking for nanoscale materials that can exhibit extraordinary electrical properties such as carbonaceous materials and 2D materials. This proposed approach has yielded promising results. At KACST, we work with optimizing and creating reliable devices for the future of electronics and communications. Our Technology Leaders Program works on complementary applied research in various types of electronics and photonics. We focus on establishing a strong basic research foundation in different areas of electronics and photonics research, in order to produce and develop reliable and effective nanodevices with low cost. Aligned with the national transformation plan, we also train and develop young leaders to critically think and produce proper scientific research with high impact related to nanoscience, coupled with top-tier collaboration with various leading academic institutions. Our main objective is to have self-motivated young leaders in the Kingdom to accelerate and create revolutionary chain reactions in the Kingdom’s industries. We approach this by constantly infusing the minds of our young generation with literature research, creating novel and innovative intellectual properties, publishing sound and accurate results in the top journals. We strive to have prosperous future for the Kingdom with well-developed leaders.
