October 2007

Researchers show new way of controlling magnetic memory

US scientists have come up with a new mechanism that would control magnetic memory of the computers to enable more accurately write and store information in the hard drives. The new technology will switch a magnetic nanoparticle without any magnetic field.

The latest research now aims at empowering computers with magneto-resistive random access memory (MRAM). In MRAM, data is stored in magnetic storage elements that consist of two layers; each one is separated by a thin non-magnetic spacer.

Read the full story Posted: Oct 27,2007

Micromem closes 500K$ financing

Micromem Technologies is pleased to announce that it has raised approximately $505,000 by way of arms length and non-arms length private placements at $0.45 per share. The shares issued will be subject to Rule 144. This private placement was subscribed for on October 9, 2007 and was further ratified by the Board of Directors meeting held on Thursday, October 11, 2007. In addition to advancing Micromem’s technology with Global Communications Semiconductor, Inc., these funds are being used to retire the previously announced bridge loan.
Read the full story Posted: Oct 23,2007

NVE Corporation Reports Second Quarter Results, no MRAM news

Product sales for the quarter increased 14% over the prior-year quarter to $4.31 million from $3.78 million. Total revenue, consisting of product sales and contract research and development revenue, increased 14% to $5.00 million for the second quarter of fiscal 2008 from $4.40 million in the prior-year quarter. Net income for the second quarter of fiscal 2008 increased 28% to $1.64 million, or $0.34 per diluted share, compared to $1.28 million, or $0.27 per share, for the prior-year quarter.

For the first six months of fiscal 2008, product sales increased 26% to $8.58 million from $6.83 million for the first six months of fiscal 2007. Total revenue increased 21% to $9.71 million for the first half of fiscal 2008 from $8.03 million for the prior-year period. Net income for the first half of fiscal 2008 was $3.23 million, or $0.67 per diluted share compared to $2.18 million, or $0.45 per diluted share, for the first half of fiscal 2007.
Read the full story Posted: Oct 18,2007

Taiwan's ITRI says MRAM might be available by the end of 2008

A government-funded Taiwanese research institute says it will have phase-change memory products out within three years, while another memory technology to rival DRAM (dynamic RAM), magnetoresistive RAM (MRAM), may be available by the end of 2008.

TSMC and ITRI are working on MRAM technology. The two have been awarded over 40 patents related to MRAM technology, said Chang. TSMC will likely have the technology ready and available for customers by the end of next year or early in 2009, he said.

MRAM combines the ability to retain data when power is shut off with fast processing speeds comparable to DRAM. DRAM is speedy, but it cannot retain data without electrical power.

Read the full story Posted: Oct 10,2007