- By Kamakshi Bishnoi
- Wed, 19 Mar 2025 05:30 PM (IST)
- Source:JND
Imagine a world where your smartphone lasts for days without needing a recharge, laptops run at lightning speed, and AI reaches limitless potential. Autonomous cars, powered by advanced AI, will be able to make quick decisions and learn rapidly from mistakes. All of this is set to become a reality with nanosheet transistor technology, a breakthrough that is poised to transform the electronics and computing industry.
Scientists worldwide are working on this cutting-edge technology, and among them, Indian-origin American scientist Kamal Rudra is making significant strides. An alumnus of Motilal Nehru National Institute of Technology (MNNIT), Kamal is currently researching two-nanometer nanosheet transistor technology at IBM Research in New York. His work aims to develop future chips that are faster, more powerful, and more energy-efficient than ever before.
Kamal explains that the performance of smartphones, laptops, gaming consoles, and AI systems relies on transistors. Over the past decade, FinFET transistor technology has been at the forefront of the industry, but its limitations are now becoming evident. Nanosheet transistor technology promises superior performance, lower power consumption, and improved scalability, enabling the creation of smaller and more efficient semiconductor chips.
Specialising in interconnect scaling, Kamal is focused on refining the intricate copper wiring in these transistors. The nanoscale wiring used in semiconductor chips is astonishingly thin—nearly 100,000 times finer than household copper wires. If stretched out, this wiring could span up to 100 kilometers, a feat that seems almost unimaginable.
Kamal, who holds a B.Tech in Electronics and Communication Engineering from MNNIT, has an impressive academic and research background. He completed a prestigious research internship at IIT BHU Kharagpur, earned his Master’s degree from the University of Michigan, and has been recognised with multiple prestigious awards. His contributions to the field are evident, with nine patents to his name so far.
The development of nanosheet transistor technology is in its final stages and is expected to be commercially available by next year. Kamal believes that this innovation will significantly enhance the battery life and processing speed of devices such as smartphones and laptops.
For autonomous vehicles, which rely on real-time data from cameras, lidars, and sensors, this technology will improve response times, making self-driving cars safer and more reliable. Additionally, gaming will become more immersive and realistic, mobile networks will experience a substantial boost in speed and stability, and real-time health monitoring devices and advanced medical imaging systems will become a reality.
