Abstract: A semiconductor structure may include a heater surrounded by a second dielectric layer, a projection liner on top of the second dielectric layer, and a phase change material layer above the projection liner. A top surface of the projection liner may be substantially flush with a top surface of the heater. The projection liner may separate the phase change material layer from the second dielectric layer. The projection liner may provide a parallel conduction path in the crystalline phase and the amorphous phase of the phase change material layer. The semiconductor structure may include a bottom electrode below and in electrical contact with the heater and a top electrode above and in electrical contact with the phase change material layer.

Abstract: A semiconductor structure may include a heater surrounded by a dielectric layer, a projection liner on top of the heater, a phase change material layer above the projection liner, and a top electrode contact surrounding a top portion of the phase change material layer, The projection liner may cover a top surface of the heater. The projection liner may separate the phase change material layer from the second dielectric layer and the heater. The projection liner may provide a parallel conduction path in the crystalline phase and the amorphous phase of the phase change material layer. The top electrode contact may be separated from the phase change material layer by a metal liner. The semiconductor structure may include a bottom electrode below and in electrical contact with the heater and a top electrode above and in electrical contact with the phase change material layer.

Abstract: A mushroom type phase change memory (PCM) cell includes a projection liner located between a PCM volume and a bottom electrode. The projection liner has been retained from a layer previously utilized as an etch stop layer during the fabrication of PCM cell and/or the fabrication of the higher level IC device. The projection liner may extend beyond the PCM sidewall(s) or side boundary. This section of the projection liner may be located or buried under a dielectric or an encapsulation spacer and may increase thickness uniformity of the projection liner below the PCM volume.

Abstract: A method steers a self-driving vehicle (SDV) onto a particular tire path on a roadway based on what type of tires are on the SDV. The method determines a pattern of tire path usage by vehicles on a roadway, and a type of tire upon which the SDV is riding. The method then directs an on-board computer on the SDV to drive the SDV on at least one specific tire path on the roadway based on the pattern of tire path usage by the vehicles on the roadway and the type of tire upon which the SDV is riding.

Abstract: A method is presented for improved linearity of a phase change memory (PCM) cell structure. The method includes forming a bottom electrode over a substrate, constructing a PCM stack including a plurality of PCM layers each having a different crystallization temperature over the bottom electrode, and forming a top electrode over the PCM stack. The crystallization temperature varies in an ascending order from the bottom electrode to the top electrode.

Abstract: A phase change memory (PCM) cell comprises a first electrode comprised of a first electrically conductive material, a second electrode comprised of a second electrically conductive material, a first phase change layer positioned between the first electrode and the second electrode and being comprised of a first phase change material, and a second phase change layer positioned between the first electrode and the second electrode and being comprised of a second phase change material. The first phase change material has a first resistivity, the second phase change material has a second resistivity, and wherein the first resistivity is at least two times the second resistivity.

Abstract: An embodiment in the application may include an analog memory structure, and methods of writing to such a structure, including a volatile memory element in series with a non-volatile memory element. The analog memory structure may change resistance upon application of a voltage. This may enable accelerated writing of the analog memory structure.

Abstract: A semiconductor structure may include a heater surrounded by a second dielectric layer. a projection liner on top of the second dielectric layer, and a phase change material layer above the projection liner. A top surface of the projection liner may be substantially flush with a top surface of the heater. The projection liner may separate the phase change material layer from the second dielectric layer. The projection liner may provide a parallel conduction path in the crystalline phase and the amorphous phase of the phase change material layer. The semiconductor structure may include a bottom electrode below and in electrical contact with the heater and a top electrode above and in electrical contact with the phase change material layer.

Abstract: A semiconductor structure may include a heater surrounded by a dielectric layer, a projection liner on top of the heater, a phase change material layer above the projection liner, and a top electrode contact surrounding a top portion of the phase change material layer, The projection liner may cover a top surface of the heater. The projection liner may separate the phase change material layer from the second dielectric layer and the heater. The projection liner may provide a parallel conduction path in the crystalline phase and the amorphous phase of the phase change material layer. The top electrode contact may be separated from the phase change material layer by a metal liner. The semiconductor structure may include a bottom electrode below and in electrical contact with the heater and a top electrode above and in electrical contact with the phase change material layer.

Abstract: A non-volatile memory structure may include a phase change memory comprising a phase change material. The non-volatile memory structure may include a Schottky diode in series with the phase change memory, wherein a Schottky barrier of the Schottky diode is a surface of the phase change memory. This may be accomplished through a proper selection of materials for the contact of the phase change memory. This may create an integrated diode-memory structure which may control directionality of current without a penalty on the footprint of the structure.

Abstract: A mushroom type phase change memory (PCM) cell includes a projection liner located between a PCM volume and a bottom electrode. The projection liner has been retained from a layer previously utilized as an etch stop layer during the fabrication of PCM cell and/or the fabrication of the higher level IC device. The projection liner may extend beyond the PCM sidewall(s) or side boundary. This section of the projection liner may be located or buried under a dielectric or an encapsulation spacer and may increase thickness uniformity of the projection liner below the PCM volume.

Abstract: A non-volatile memory cell includes a thin film resistor (TFR) in series and between a top state influencing electrode and a top wire. The TFR limits or generally reduces the electrical current at the top state influencing electrode from the top wire. As such, non-volatile memory cell endurance may be improved and adverse impacts to component(s) that neighbor the non-volatile memory cell may be limited. The TFR is additionally utilized as an etch stop when forming a top wire trench associated with the fabrication of the top wire. In some non-volatile memory cells where cell symmetry is desired, an additional TFR may be formed between a bottom wire and a bottom state influencing electrode.

Abstract: A phase change material switch includes a phase change layer disposed on a metal liner. A gate dielectric layer is disposed on the phase change layer. A metal gate liner is disposed on the gate dielectric layer.

Abstract: Low-voltage rechargeable microbatteries are provided. In one aspect, a method of forming a microbattery includes: forming a cathode on a substrate, wherein the cathode includes a lithium intercalated material; forming a solid electrolyte on the cathode; forming an anode on the solid electrolyte; and forming a negative contact on the anode. A microbattery is also provided.

Abstract: A Phase-Change Memory (PCM) device includes a dielectric layer, a bottom electrode disposed in the dielectric layer, a liner material disposed on the bottom electrode, a phase-change material disposed on the liner material, and a top electrode disposed on the phase-change material and in the dielectric layer.

Abstract: A method is presented for reducing a reset current for a phase change memory (PCM). The method includes forming a bottom electrode, constructing a PCM cell structure including a plurality of phase change memory layers and a plurality of heat transfer layers, wherein the plurality of phase change memory layers are assembled in an alternating configuration with respect to the plurality of heat transfer layers, and forming a top electrode over the PCM cell structure. The plurality of phase change memory layers are arranged perpendicular to the top and bottom electrodes. Additionally, airgaps are defined adjacent the PCM cell structure.

Abstract: A method is presented for reducing a reset current for a phase change memory (PCM). The method includes forming a bottom electrode, constructing a PCM cell structure including a plurality of phase change memory layers and a plurality of heat transfer layers, wherein the plurality of phase change memory layers are assembled in an alternating configuration with respect to the plurality of heat transfer layers, and forming a top electrode over the PCM cell structure. The plurality of phase change memory layers are arranged perpendicular to the top and bottom electrodes. Additionally, airgaps are defined adjacent the PCM cell structure.

Abstract: A phase change material memory device is provided. The phase change material memory device includes one or more electrical contacts in a substrate, and a dielectric cover layer on the electrical contacts and substrate. The phase change material memory device further includes a lower conductive shell in a trench above one of the one or more electrical contacts, and an upper conductive shell on the lower conductive shell in the trench. The phase change material memory device further includes a conductive plug filling the upper conductive shell. The phase change material memory device further includes a liner layer on the dielectric cover layer and conductive plug, and a phase change material block on the liner layer on the dielectric cover layer and in the trench.

Abstract: A method for manufacturing a semiconductor device includes forming a memory element in a dielectric layer. A first conductive layer is deposited on the dielectric layer and the memory element by atomic layer deposition, and a second conductive layer is deposited on the first conductive layer by physical vapor deposition. In the method, the first and second conductive layers are patterned into an electrode on the memory element.

Abstract: A multiterminal non-volatile memory cross-bar array system includes a set of conductive row rails, a set of conductive column rails configured to form a plurality of crosspoints at intersections between the conductive rails and the conductive column rails and a resistive processing unit at each of the crosspoints each representing a neuron in a neural network. At least one given conductive row rail includes first and second row lines is in contact with a given resistive processing unit. At least one given conductive column rail including first and second column lines is in contact with the given resistive processing unit.