Information and communication technologies have greatly changed our daily life-style through the widespread use of mobile devices and cloud computing. But conventional mobile devices must be recharged frequently, and the number of rechargers that must be left plugged into power outlets continues to increase, which results in the increase in wasting energy. Finding ways to decrease energy consumption which is increasing further with the use of “big data” and the Internet of Things (IoT), is a serious issue that our society faces. This program will resolve this societal issue through technologies such as the ultimate in non-volatile memory that uses voltage to record data to magnetic memory, and spintronics logic integrated circuits that consume little power, in order to achieve ultimate power savings at each computer memory and storage level. This will reduce the power consumption of IT devices down to the possible lowest level and creates a pleasant and environment-friendly IT society free from the stress of recharging, as well as a safe and secure society that enables access to information even in the event of a major disaster.
Keys of the implementation structure
- Placed projects to cover each layer of IT including math processing (spin transistors, integrated logic circuits), cache and main memory, and cloud storage and appointed PLs who have a track record in leading research and were central to the research achievements. Laid out a formation of personnel capable of achieving overwhelming differentiation for the program in a globally and competitively cutthroat field.
- Established an advisory board comprising multiple experts. Provided a stage for all projects by establishing an intellectual property capability meeting and making technical competitiveness a criteria.
Approach to selection of institutions
- This program, which requires large facilities, has a hub type structure based on the premise of common utilization of existing facilities along with newly installed facilities, with direct invitations to the institutions that have researchers who have made outstanding breakthroughs. The institutions are also capable of competitively and aggressively participating as a satellite for each project. Tohoku University, Toshiba, and AIST are organizations with affiliated researchers who are central to their globally leading research and are indispensable as satellite institutions.
Organization
The Cabinet Office
ImPACT: Impulsing Paradigm Change through Disruptive Technologies Program
ImPACT Program Manager
Masashi Sahashi
Associate Program Manager
Eiichi Suzuki
Associate Program Manager
Yoshikazu Miyashita
Associate Program Manager
Youhei Shiokawa