The world is becoming increasingly automated, with artificial-intelligence based technology redefining how we work, live and interact. Such progress greatly depends on the ability of computer infrastructure to support large-scale data acquisition, real-time data processing, and data storage. This has ushered in the need for new computer processors, non-volatile storage methods and wireless data transfer technology that is not only faster, but also energy efficient and sustainable.
In pursuit for the next-generation computing technology is Professor Yang Hyunsoo, who was awarded the NRF Investigatorship (2020) to explore next-generation non-volatile memory technology.
His research focuses on the development of next-generation ‘terahertz’ computer memories, an upgrade from the current gigahertz speeds. Present day computer processors operate at around three to five gigahertz. The higher the frequency, the more calculations the computer will complete in a second.
Prof Yang is also developing spin-torque oscillators to harvest and convert wireless radio frequencies into energy that can power small electronics. This could give rise to energy-efficient applications in communications, computing, and neuromorphic systems.
He has also explored the development of non-volatile magnetic memory based on spin transfer torque where he discovered an efficient way to switch magnetisation of a ferromagnetic layer at room temperature using ‘spin waves’ from a topological insulator. Spin waves are propagating disturbances in the ordering of magnetic materials. This method enables magnetisation switching without electrical current, thereby reducing heat and power dissipation from the device, and making it an attractive option for energy efficient devices.
By developing new materials and technology, Prof Yang hopes that research in this area will lead to a paradigm shift in the performance of computers and the sustainability of devices.
Designing 2D heterostructures with high SOT performance in spintronic device without using external magnetic fields
A technology that uses tiny smart devices known as spin-torque oscillators (STOs) to harvest and convert wireless radio frequencies into energy to power small electronics
A new efficient way of using ‘spin waves’ to switch magnetisation at room temperature for more energy-efficient spin memory and logic devices
Yang, H., Valenzuela, S. O., Chshiev, M., Couet, S., Dieny, B., Dlubak, B., ... & Roche, S. (2022). Two-dimensional materials prospects for nonvolatile spintronic memories. Nature, 606 (7915), 663-673.
He, P., Koon, G. K. W., Isobe, H., Tan, J. Y., Hu, J., Neto, A. H. C., ... & Yang, H. (2022). Graphene moiré superlattices with giant quantum nonlinearity of chiral Bloch electrons. Nature Nanotechnology, 17 (4), 378-383.
Kim, S. K., Beach, G. S., Lee, K. J., Ono, T., Rasing, T., & Yang, H. (2022). Ferrimagnetic spintronics. Nature Materials, 21 (1), 24-34.
Sharma, R., Mishra, R., Ngo, T., Guo, Y. X., Fukami, S., Sato, H., ... & Yang, H. (2021). Electrically connected spin-torque oscillators array for 2.4 GHz WiFi band transmission and energy harvesting. Nature communications, 12 (1), 1-10.
Wang, Y., Zhu, D., Yang, Y., Lee, K., Mishra, R., Go, G., ... & Yang, H. (2019). Magnetization switching by magnon-mediated spin torque through an antiferromagnetic insulator. Science, 366 (6469), 1125-1128.
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