SANTA CLARA, Calif., Aug. 31 /PRNewswire/ -- Ovonyx, Inc. ("Ovonyx") and
Nanochip, Inc. ("Nanochip") today announced that they have signed an agreement
whereby Nanochip will license from Ovonyx thin-film nonvolatile semiconductor
memory technology. The license agreement permits Nanochip to use Ovonyx
memory technology on a royalty-bearing basis in its Micro-Electro-Mechanical
Systems (MEMS) based, ultra-high density data storage systems.
Ovonyx memory technology uses a reversible phase-change memory process
that has been previously commercialized worldwide in rewritable CD and DVD
optical memory disks. The Ovonyx array-addressed semiconductor memory
technology can potentially be used in stand-alone applications, such as Flash
and DRAM replacements, as well as in embedded applications in many areas such
as microcontrollers and reconfigurable MOS logic. In probe-based storage
systems, the reversible phase change data storage technology can permit the
fabrication of robust, low-cost mass storage systems with bit densities of
1 Terabit/in2.
"We are very pleased to be working with the Ovonyx team to use its
reversible phase-change recording materials in our high density memory chips.
The Ovonyx recording materials support our ultra-high density recording and
provide almost unlimited cycle life," said Gordon Knight, CEO of Nanochip.
"We are excited to be working with Nanochip and its innovative high
density phase change memory technology. The Nanochip MEMS based approach
bypasses lithography limits facilitating ultra high density storage and
substantial cost per bit reduction," said Tyler Lowrey, President & CEO of
Ovonyx.
About Nanochip (http://www.nanochip.com )
Nanochip, Inc. was formed in 1996 to develop MEMS storage chips for
consumer electronic applications. The company's products address the need for
low-power, high-capacity, high-performance, non-volatile memory at a price
very competitive in consumer markets. Nanochip is a private company
headquartered in Fremont, Calif.
About Ovonyx (http://www.ovonyx.com )
Ovonyx was formed with the charter to commercialize the proprietary phase-
change semiconductor memory technology originally invented and developed by
Energy Conversion Devices, Inc. (see website at http://www.ovonic.com ).
Ovonyx nonvolatile memory technology offers significantly faster write and
erase speeds and higher cycling endurance than conventional Flash memory. It
also has the advantage of a simple fabrication process that allows the design
of semiconductor chips with embedded nonvolatile memory using only a few
additional mask steps. Ovonyx is commercializing its array-addressed memory
systems through joint development programs with a number of licensees
including, BAE Systems, Intel Corporation, and ST Microelectronics.
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