Samsung Expands Memory Chip Research with New Lab in Silicon Valley
South Korean tech giant Samsung is intensifying its efforts in the memory chip industry with the establishment of a new research lab in Silicon Valley, USA. The lab, operated under Samsung's US arm DSA, will concentrate on the development of the next generation of 3D DRAM technology, aiming to maintain Samsung's leading position in the memory chip market.
In its pursuit of innovation, Samsung is actively working on the creation of novel DRAM structures using sub-10nm fabrication technologies. According to Yonhap News Agency, this groundbreaking technology is expected to enable the production of higher-capacity memory chips, with the potential to reach up to 100Gb per chip.
Samsung has a history of pioneering memory advancements, having introduced the first commercial 3D vertical NAND flash in 2013. Now, the company could be on track to become the first to develop 3D DRAM as well.
This strategic move comes at a time when the memory chip market is recovering from a challenging period. Last year, Samsung's semiconductor division experienced its first-ever loss due to the downturn in the chip market.
The surge in demand for cloud servers following the COVID-19 pandemic prompted many technology companies to place significant orders for memory chips. However, the subsequent global economic decline resulted in a decrease in demand, leading to an oversupply of memory chips and a decline in prices.
Nevertheless, the growing demand for AI servers, driven by tools like ChatGPT, is now causing memory chip prices to rise once again. Experts predict that 2024 will be a strong year for Samsung, as well as its competitors such as Micron and SK Hynix.
Samsung's focus on advanced DRAM technology could also lead to a potential partnership with Intel. Samsung's LPDDR5X DRAM chips are being considered as candidates for Intel's upcoming Lunar Lake processors, scheduled for release later this year. Such a partnership would further solidify Samsung's position in the memory chip market.
Overall, Samsung's establishment of a new research lab in Silicon Valley demonstrates its commitment to staying at the forefront of memory chip development. With a focus on 3D DRAM technology and potential collaborations with industry leaders, Samsung aims to maintain its position as the world's leading memory chip maker.
