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Micromem is Moving to Integration Phase
for the Memory Technology
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TORONTO--(BUSINESS
WIRE)--May 13, 2004--Micromem (OTCBB:MMTIF) is pleased
to report that it continues to make progress towards
the company's goal of developing a commercially viable
memory device. Micromem's target memory, for the initial
stage of it's marketing objective, is a memory capable
of being utilized in the Radio Frequency Identification
(RFID) sector.
Summary of Status Prior to the Current Period:
Micromem's last press release dated February 2, 2004
reported that the company was able to successfully fabricate,
an array of micro magnets that were suitable for the
company's target memory application. Using a Superconducting
Quantum Interference Device (SQUID) magnetometry, the
company was able to verify the functionality of the
magnets. In other words we can target and address a
specific magnet in the array. The following graph and
photo have been added to show the array and the results
of the testing.
Figure 1: Array of Micromagnets and Hysteresis Loop
is available on the CCNMatthews website at the following
link http://www2.cdn-news.com/database/fax/2000/mic513a.pdf
During the sensor fabrication phase of the company's
research, we successfully fabricated a prototype Hall
sensor. Upon the completion of the testing of these
new prototypes, a predictable performance standard was
accomplished. The company is now capable moving to more
complex sensor structures, which can be designed using
these established principals.
Figure 2: GaAs Greek Cross Hall Sensor with AuGe Contact
is available on the CCNMatthews website at the following
link http://www2.cdn-news.com/database/fax/2000/mic513b.pdf
As a result of these two earlier milestones, Micromem
has been able to achieve a base line of reliability,
which is a new standard. This new standard allows the
company to move forward onto successively more sophisticated
structures.
The third major milestone achieved in the prior period
has been dedicated to the read/write system for the
memory device. To be able to address each magnetic element,
it was necessary to develop a process for the fabrication
of a coaxial coil, which is the component that flips
the polarity of the individual bit. After several fabrication
attempts, the company was successful in demonstrating
a circuit based on our new design. This circuit is comprised
of a main electrical path supporting four magnet spots
with electroplating current as well as four flipping
loops with their electrical paths and contact pads for
wire bonding. Below are photographs illustrating the
new designs.
Figure 3 is available on the CCNMatthews website at
the following link http://www2.cdn-news.com/database/fax/2000/mic513c.pdf
Micromem is pleased with the progress that the research
team, headed up by Dr. Ruda (Director, Centre for Nanotechnology
at the University of Toronto) is making with the development
of the memory device. For the first time the company
has the three main elements of this memory technology
(the magnetic bit, the sensor and the read/write system)
well in hand and is now able to move to the next level
of work to be accomplished. Dr. Ruda states, "It
has been exciting working in a new field of research,
the progress we have made in bringing magnetic memory
forward I believe will add to the memory industry as
a whole and I am excited by the prospects of the integration
phase of our program."
Current Phase Work:
The next steps in the company's research work entail
moving to a next generation sensor structure. Establishing
the performance of a magnet loop system, this will allow
the researchers to select the appropriate materials
and structures for a switchable (rewritable) magnetization
element. The next major milestone will include integrating
the magnet and a sensor system, initially a hybrid (or
bonding) scheme and finally a fully integrated system
utilizing the three major components.
We are confident that Micromem's research team at the
University of Toronto, headed by Dr. Harry Ruda, is
on the correct path to successfully completing its objectives.
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