PISCATAWAY, N.J. & SAN JOSE, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--June 7, 2004--SEMI and IEEE have signed a memorandum of understanding to support each other's programs to create nanotechnology and MEMS (micro-electromechanical systems) standards. The agreement marks the first standards collaboration between the two organizations.

Under the memorandum, SEMI and IEEE will appoint liaisons, define a regular exchange of information and schedule periodic joint meetings. It also provides for presenting updates at each other's committee meetings and disseminating standards information on nanotechnology and MEMS.

The IEEE Standards Association has an active nanotechnology standards effort underway and expects to publish a measurement standard for carbon nanotubes in 2005. Similarly, SEMI's MEMS Initiative includes a focus on standards.

"The memorandum will give SEMI and IEEE greater traction in developing suites of standards for nanotechnology, MEMS and other emerging fields that will enhance electronic device performance," says Judith Gorman, Managing Director of the IEEE Standards Association. "Possible areas of focus include organic, molecular, carbon nanotube and, silicon nanofiber-based devices. We see this memorandum as the start of a long-term collaboration, one that links the complementary expertise of our organizations to benefit our members and industry as a whole."

"This is a timely agreement because of the heightened interest in nano-enabled technology development," says Bettina Weiss, Director, International Standards & MEMS at SEMI. "Our goal is to move the entire field forward by starting work on standards early in the development cycle so as to nurture commercialization, reduce costs and boost productivity. Standards developed by SEMI will address such areas as materials, tools and interfaces, while IEEE standards will deal with test methods, materials, devices, interoperability and other topics."

SEMI's standards program encompasses all aspects of semiconductor process equipment and materials from wafer manufacturing, test, assembly and packaging to the manufacture of flat panel displays and MEMS. SEMI has a presence in all major markets for high-tech production, especially in semiconductors, an important area for nanotechnology.

The IEEE, in addition to its work on carbon nanostructure standards (e.g., IEEE P1650, "Standard Test Methods for Measurement of Electrical Properties of Carbon Nanotubes,"), also recently completed IEEE 1620(TM), "Standard for Test Methods for the Characterization of Organic Transistors and Materials." This standard creates a uniform framework for evaluating organic field effect transistors (OFET) as a platform for high-volume manufacturing. The IEEE is now extending its OFET activities to device standards.

About SEMI Standards:

The SEMI Standards Program, established in 1973, covers all aspects of semiconductor process equipment and materials, from wafer manufacturing to test, assembly and packaging, in addition to the manufacture of flat panel displays and micro-electromechanical systems (MEMS). Approximately 2,300 volunteers worldwide participate in the program, which is made up of 17 global technical committees. To date more than 680 standards have been published by SEMI. Visit www.semi.org/standards for further details about SEMI Standards.

About SEMI

SEMI is a global industry association serving companies that develop and provide manufacturing technology and materials to the global semiconductor, flat panel display, MEMS and related microelectronics industries. It maintains offices in Austin, Beijing, Brussels, Hsinchu, Moscow, San Jose (Calif.), Seoul, Shanghai, Singapore, Tokyo and Washington, D.C. For more information, visit www.semi.org.

About the IEEE Standards Association

IEEE-SA, a globally recognized standards-setting body, develops consensus standards through an open process that brings diverse parts of an industry together. It has a portfolio of more than 870 completed standards and more than 400 standards in development. Its focus on nanotechnology standards is part of a greater effort by the IEEE Nanotechnology Council, a multidisciplinary group formed to advance nanotechnology scientific, literary and educational endeavors. For further information on IEEE-SA see: http://www.standards.ieee.org/.

About the IEEE

The Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers has more than 360,000 members in approximately 150 countries. Through its members, it is a leading authority in areas ranging from aerospace, computers and telecommunications to biomedicine, electric power and consumer electronics. It produces nearly 30 percent of the world's literature in the electrical and electronics engineering, computing and control technology fields. It also sponsors or cosponsors more than 300 technical conferences each year. For further information on IEEE see: http://www.ieee.org.