Next Transistor Leap: 50% Gain in Performance, Reduced Power Consumption
Basic science, fueled by curiosity, has given us lasers, DNA's double helix, and AI algorithms. Now, it's driving the next leap in transistor technology, with potential gains of 50% in performance and reduced power consumption. Meanwhile, universities like Harvard and UPenn are cutting graduate student admissions due to shrinking federal research budgets.
The journey of transistors began at Bell Labs in 1947 with a germanium-based device. Initially a laboratory curiosity, it could control electrical current. The U.S. government, notably the Office of Naval Research, invested in research, leading to advancements like the use of silicon, which was more stable and manufacturable, earning these devices their name.
Today, continued miniaturization and integration of billions of transistors into a single chip are pushing boundaries. This progress often comes after numerous failed trials, with students and scientists from different disciplines collaborating to solve complex problems. The National Science Foundation, created in 1950, has been at the forefront of this, pioneering a competitive peer-reviewed grant system that has supported advances like the internet and COVID-19 vaccines.
However, caps on 'indirect costs' in federal research budgets threaten this enterprise. Universities are responding by reducing graduate student admissions, potentially leading to shelved projects and reduced research output.
Funding basic science is not just a financial investment; it's a moral duty. It has led to breakthroughs like the AI boom and will continue to drive progress in fields such as quantum technologies and sustainable energy. As we stand on the brink of another leap in transistor technology, it's crucial to ensure that research budgets support, rather than hinder, this progress.
