Aug 20 2009
The City of South Bend has reiterated its vow to support commercialization of nanoelectronics research emanating from the Midwest Institute for Nanoelectronics Discovery (MIND), which concluded an important international research workshop on Tuesday, Aug. 18, in South Bend.
"MIND will be transformational to the economy of the city and the region, which is one of the key reasons why we've supported it from the very beginning," said South Bend Mayor Stephen J. Luecke.
Led by the University of Notre Dame, MIND is a university-private sector research consortium intent on discovering the next nanoscale logic device which will replace the current computer switch architecture widely used today. It is one of four national research centers established by the Semiconductor Research Corporation's Nanoelectronics Research Initiative. The purpose of MIND's workshop this week was to examine how experimental "next-generation" switches studied by NRI can be used most effectively in design.
"MIND's workshop this week is evidence of the great strides being made in the quest for smaller, faster and better nanoscale computer technology," Luecke added. "And the City is well-positioned at the ground level to provide financial and other support to bring MIND's discoveries into the marketplace."
Specifically, the City of South Bend has helped fund MIND with $1 million, and has committed $50 million toward commercializing MIND's discoveries. NRI leaders have lauded South Bend's response to the MIND initiative.
Additionally, the City of South Bend has cleared and developed Ignition Park to house MIND-inspired nanoelectronics businesses and other technology start-ups, and has worked in close cooperation with the University of Notre Dame to develop Innovation Park at Notre Dame, due to open this fall. Together, the two locations comprise Indiana's first-ever dual-site technology park.