Stanford engineers have demonstrated a number of post-silicon memory materials and technologies based on graphene. According to Ramin Skibba of Stanford News, the materials are capable of storing significantly more data per square inch – all while sipping a fraction of the energy consumed by current memory chips.
Researchers eye graphene for next-gen memory chips
This memory chip orbited the earth on March 23, 1965
Engadget’s Nathan Ingraham recently reported that a piece of RANAM (Random Access Non-Destructive Readout) from NASA’s Gemini 3 spacecraft is up for auction. The RANAM – containing 4096 bits of information – was a part of the first Gemini spacecraft on-board computer ever to fly on a manned mission.
Rambus Initiates Accelerated Share Repurchase Program
SUNNYVALE, Calif. ― October 26, 2015 ― Rambus Inc. (NASDAQ:RMBS) today announced it has initiated an accelerated share repurchase program with Citibank, N.A. to repurchase an aggregate of approximately $100 million of its common stock, with an initial delivery of approximately 7,812,500 shares.
“This share repurchase program showcases the confidence we have in our strategic programs and the growth we believe they will ultimately create,” said Dr. Ron Black, president and chief executive officer at Rambus. “We believe this buy-back program highlights our ability to continue the investment in critical technology areas while delivering shareholder value.”
Under the accelerated share repurchase program, Rambus will pre-pay to Citibank, N.A. the $100 million purchase price for common stock and, in turn, Rambus will receive an initial delivery of approximately 7,812,500 shares of its common stock from Citibank, N.A. within the first week of the program. The number of shares to be ultimately purchased by Rambus will be determined based on the volume weighted average price of the common stock during the terms of the transaction, minus an agreed upon discount between the parties. The program is expected to be completed by June 2016. The shares of common stock will be delivered by Citibank, N.A. to Rambus on the third business day following the calculation period described above.
The accelerated share repurchase program is part of the broader share repurchase program previously authorized by the Rambus Board of Directors. As of October 26, 2015, before giving effect to the transaction under the accelerated share repurchase program, there remained an outstanding authorization under the broader share repurchase program to repurchase approximately 20 million shares of the outstanding common stock.
About Rambus Inc.
Rambus creates cutting-edge semiconductor and IP products, spanning memory and interfaces to security, smart sensors and lighting. Our chips, customizable IP cores, architecture licenses, tools, services, training and innovations improve the competitive advantage of our customers. We collaborate with the industry, partnering with leading ASIC and SoC designers, foundries, IP developers, EDA companies and validation labs. Our products are integrated into tens of billions of devices and systems, powering and securing diverse applications, including Big Data, Internet of Things (IoT), mobile, consumer and media platforms. At Rambus, we are makers of better. For more information, visit rambus.com.
Forward-Looking Statements
This release contains forward-looking statements under the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 relating, among other things, to the purchase price of shares acquired pursuant to the accelerated share repurchase program, the timing and the duration of prospective share purchases, the amount of cash that may be expended in connection with such share repurchases and the potential growth from our strategic programs. Such forward-looking statements are based on current expectations, estimates and projections, management’s beliefs and certain assumptions made by the Company’s management. Actual results may differ materially. Rambus undertakes no obligation to update forward-looking statements to reflect events or circumstances after the date hereof.
Crossing the ReRAM bridge
Writing for IEEE Spectrum, Alexander Hellemans notes that researchers have thus far produced two commercially promising types of memristors: electrochemical metallization memory (EMC) cells and valence change mechanism memory (VCM) cells.
“In EMC cells, which have a copper electrode (called the active electrode), the copper atoms are oxidized—stripped of an electron—by the ‘write’ voltage,” he explained. “The resulting copper ions migrate through a solid electrolyte towards a platinum electrode. When they reach the platinum they get an electron back. Other copper ions arrive and pile on, eventually forming a pure metallic filament linking both electrodes, thus lowering of the resistance of the device.”
Bio-friendly implantable electrodes monitor neural activity
Scientists at Lund University are developing implantable bio-friendly electrodes capable of capturing signals from single neurons in the brain over an extended period of time.
According to a news release obtained by EurekAlert, there are several factors that must be considered for the electrodes to successfully record neuronal signals from the brain with decisive results. First, the electrode must be bio-friendly and cannot cause any significant damage to the brain tissue. Second, the electrode should be flexible in relation to the brain tissue.
Rambus and Riverside Research to co-host security workshop
Rambus’ Cryptography Research division and Riverside Research will be co-hosting a two-day workshop on identifying and preventing advanced security threats. The workshop – scheduled for November 18-19, 2015 – is targeted at hardware and software security developers with a focus on defense and government industries.
