MagnaChip Inks Research Pact to Make Magnetic Bio-Sensors

Zacks

Semiconductor maker MagnaChip Semiconductor Corporation (MX) inked a research pact with two of the world’s best bio-sensor research teams to apply its revolutionary 0.18 micron mixed-signal technology for developing cost-effective magnetic bio-sensors.

The collaboration includes teams from the Massachusetts General Hospital, spearheaded by Hakho Lee, PhD, and Pohang University of Science and Technology’s Analog IC Systems Lab, led by Prof Jae-Yoon Sim.

The teams will focus on developing cutting-edge, cost-efficient silicon magnetic bio-sensor technology that will be able to examine extremely rare cells in the blood. The bio-sensor platform will help in early detection of disease in cost-effective manner. MagnaChip’s magnetic sensor technology will be applied to generate single-chip sensor solutions that will facilitate medical diagnosis and monitoring at much lower rate.

Korea-based MagnaChip, a leading supplier of sensors, LCD drivers and power chips to the mobile phone and TV markets in Asia, unveiled its distinguished 0.18 micron mixed-signal technology only last month. The technology is a low-power manufacturing process well-suited for applications such as mobile, wireless sensors, wearables and energy harvesting.

The mixed signal process has features that translate into SoC (System on a Chip) designs that can operate on low power consumption, thus enhancing cost efficiency. Also, it uses conventional, lower-cost silicon wafers, which offer a distinctive edge with improved latch-up immunity (protection against a type of short circuit that can occur in an integrated circuit) and lower leakage current over voltage and temperature.

The process has huge implications for the rapidly growing Internet of Things (IoT) concept, as its transistors are optimized particularly for low-power applications. This research initiative will enable Magnachip to stretch the applications of the high-performance technology beyond commercial purposes.

MagnaChip currently holds a Zacks Rank #3 (Hold). Other better-ranked semiconductor plays include Ambarella, Inc. (AMBA), AXT Inc. (AXTI) and M/A-Com Technology Solutions Holdings, Inc. (MTSI), each sporting a Zacks Rank #1 (Strong Buy).

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