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Redefining the transistor: The ideal building block for artificial intelligence

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SINGAPORE, March 28, 2025 /PRNewswire/ — The team led by Associate Professor Mario Lanza from the Department of Materials Science and Engineering in the College of Design and Engineering at the National University of Singapore, has just revolutionised the field of neuromorphic computing by inventing a new super-efficient computing cell that can mimic the behaviour of both electronic neurons and synapses. The work, titled “Synaptic and neural behaviours in a standard silicon transistor” was published in the scientific journal Nature on 26 March 2025 and is already attracting interest from leading companies in the semiconductor field.

Electronic neurons and synapses are the two fundamental building blocks of next-generation artificial neural networks. Unlike traditional computers, these systems process and store data in the same place, eliminating the need to waste time and energy transferring data from memory to the processing unit (CPU). The problem is that implementing electronic neurons and synapses with traditional silicon transistors requires interconnecting multiple devices — specifically, at least 18 transistors per neuron and 6 per synapse. This makes them significantly larger and more expensive than a single transistor.

The team led by Professor Lanza has found an ingenious way to reproduce the electronic behaviours characteristic of neurons and synapses in a single conventional silicon transistor. The key lies in setting the resistance of the bulk terminal to a specific value to produce a physical phenomenon called “impact ionisation,” which generates a current spike very similar to what happens when an electronic neuron is activated. Additionally, by setting the bulk resistance to other specific values, the transistor can store charge in the gate oxide, causing the resistance of the transistor to persist over time, mimicking the behaviour of an electronic synapse. Making the transistor operate as a neuron or synapse is as simple as selecting the appropriate resistance for the bulk terminal. The physical phenomenon of “impact ionisation” had traditionally been considered a failure mechanism in silicon transistors, but Professor Lanza’s team has managed to control it and turn it into a highly valuable application for the industry.

This discovery is revolutionary because it allows the size of electronic neurons to be reduced by a factor of 18 and that of synapses by a factor of 6. Considering that each artificial neural network contains millions of electronic neurons and synapses, this could represent a huge leap forward in computing systems capable of processing much more information while consuming far less energy. Furthermore, the team has designed a cell with two transistors — called Neuro-Synaptic Random Access Memory (NSRAM) — that allows switching between operating modes (neuron or synapse), offering great versatility in manufacturing since both functions can be reproduced using a single block, without the need to dope the silicon to achieve specific substrate resistance values.

The transistors used by Professor Lanza’s team to implement these advanced neurons and synapses are not cutting-edge transistors like those manufactured in Taiwan or Korea, but rather traditional 180-nanometer node transistors, which can be produced by Singapore-based companies. According to Professor Lanza, “once the operating mechanism is discovered, it’s now more a matter of microelectronic design”.

The first author of the paper, Dr Sebastián Pazos, who is from King Abdullah University of Science and Technology, commented, “Traditionally, the race for supremacy in semiconductors and artificial intelligence has been a matter of brute force, seeing who could manufacture smaller transistors and bear the production costs that come with it. Our work proposes a radically different approach based on exploiting a computing paradigm using highly efficient electronic neurons and synapses. This discovery is a way to democratise nanoelectronics and enable everyone to contribute to the development of advanced computing systems, even without access to cutting-edge transistor fabrication processes.”

Read more at: https://news.nus.edu.sg/advancing-semiconductor-devices-for-artificial-intelligence.

View original content:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/redefining-the-transistor-the-ideal-building-block-for-artificial-intelligence-302414898.html

SOURCE National University of Singapore

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Xobin Recognized in the 2024 Gartner® Market Guide for Developer Skills Assessment and Interview Platforms

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April 2, 2025

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CHENNAI, India, April 2, 2025 /PRNewswire/ — Xobin, a leading skills assessment software, proudly announces its recognition in 2024 Gartner® Market Guide for Developer Skills Assessment and Interview Platforms.

With 4 million+ test takers annually and 5000+ customers across 55+ countries, Xobin is a trusted skills assessment partner for talent acquisition professionals worldwide.

Xobin: Revolutionizing the Future of Hiring

Xobin’s skills assessment platform helps organizations hire top talents 20x faster while saving 10x time and resources with precision and efficiency. Designed for industries like IT, finance, banking, retail, and more.

For more information, visit www.xobin.com.

Key Features Driving Xobin’s Success

1. Customizable Assessments: Xobin has 3,400+ skill and 2,500+ job-based tests for precise evaluation for technical and non-technical roles across industries.

2. AI-Powered Hiring: AI Evaluate automates assessments, while AI Communication Checker analyzes candidates’ communication skills, saving recruiters time.

3. Psychometric Testing: Gain insights into candidates’ personalities to build high-performing teams with data-driven precision.

4. Advanced Proctoring: AI Web Proctoring, EyeGazer, and Browser Monitoring ensure secure, cheat-proof assessments by detecting anomalies.

5. Coding Assessments: Real-time coding tests, simulators, and hackathons help companies assess developers efficiently. And much more.

Gartner Recognition: A Testament to Xobin’s Excellence in our view

As a Representative Vendor, Xobin excels in skills assessments, including usability, scalability, and innovation. Supporting skill-based and job role-based hiring, tech and non-tech recruitment, L&D and large-scale university hiring to help organizations hire top talent efficiently.

Quote from the CEO

Guruprakash Sivabalan, CEO of Xobin:
“At Xobin, we believe in transforming the hiring process into a seamless and efficient experience, ensuring our clients find the best talent with ease.”

Gartner Attribution and Disclaimer

Gartner, Market Guide for Developer Skills Assessment and Interview Platforms, 7 November 2024.

GARTNER is a registered trademark and service mark of Gartner, Inc. and/or its affiliates in the U.S. and internationally and is used herein with permission. All rights reserved. Gartner does not endorse any vendor, product or service depicted in its research publications, and does not advise technology users to select only those vendors with the highest ratings or other designation. Gartner research publications consist of the opinions of Gartner’s research organization and should not be construed as statements of fact. Gartner disclaims all warranties, expressed or implied, with respect to this research, including any warranties of merchantability or fitness for a particular purpose.

Media Contact:
Guruprakash Sivabalan
Xobin
guru@xobin.com 

 

SOURCE Xobin

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FutureDial Partners with SB Frameworks to Drive Mobile Refurbishment Automation in Japan

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April 2, 2025

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SUNNYVALE, Calif., April 2, 2025 /PRNewswire/ — FutureDial, the global leader in connected device data sanitization, functional testing, and refurbishment automation, is proud to announce a strategic, multi-year partnership with SB Frameworks (SBF) Japan, a group company of SoftBank Corp., one of Japan’s most prestigious and innovative wireless operators. This collaboration will transform the second-hand mobile device market in Japan, setting a new benchmark for quality, efficiency, and automation in mobile refurbishment.

As Japan continues to lead the way in technological advancements, SBF is pioneering the future of mobile refurbishment by leveraging FutureDial’s industry-leading automation solutions. This partnership serves as a foundational step in SB Frameworks’ long-term vision to automate and scale mobile device renewal operations, ensuring premium quality, data security, and efficiency in the second-hand mobile market.

FutureDial: The Preferred Automation Partner for SB Frameworks

SB Frameworks, as an integral part of SoftBank’s extensive mobile ecosystem, has set forth an ambitious roadmap to modernize and scale mobile refurbishment operations. By partnering with FutureDial, the global leader in automation solutions for mobile device logistics, SBF is taking decisive steps toward an automated future, laying the foundation for long-term growth.

Why FutureDial?

SB Frameworks selected FutureDial based on:

Industry Leadership & Proven Expertise – Over two decades of experience delivering best-in-class automation solutions for the mobile device supply chain.Modular & Scalable Automation – A stepwise approach allowing SBF to progressively integrate automation for seamless adoption and long-term success.Comprehensive Mobile Refurbishment Solutions – Covering everything from data erasure and diagnostics to functional testing and cosmetic inspection.Commitment to Knowledge Transfer & Long-Term Success – FutureDial is dedicating significant resources to ensure SBF’s internal teams gain expertise, experience, and the capability to scale operations efficiently.

A Broad, Multi-Phase Partnership for the Future

This partnership is designed as a multi-year initiative, with multiple phases aimed at progressively automating and refining SBF’s mobile refurbishment processes. The initial focus will be on optimizing core operations, such as:

Automated Data Erasure & Security Compliance – Ensuring all personal data is fully removed from devices, adhering to Japan’s stringent privacy standards.Advanced Functional Testing & Cosmetic Inspection – Implementing AI-driven diagnostics to enhance the grading and performance assessment of pre-owned devices.Automated Receiving & Processing Solutions – Exploring next-generation automation for inbound device logistics, inventory management, and repair workflows.

“This partnership is a game-changer,” said Hiroyuki Arai, President and Representative Director at FutureDial. “SB Frameworks has a clear vision for automation, and FutureDial is honored to support them in executing a multi-year, multi-phase transformation that will set new industry standards in Japan.”

Hiro Watanuki, SB Frameworks’ President & CEO, echoed this sentiment: “Partnering with FutureDial aligns perfectly with our long-term strategy to enhance efficiency and drive automation across SB Frameworks’ mobile refurbishment ecosystem. We see this as a critical step in elevating our operations and reinforcing SBF’s leadership in the mobile sector.”

Looking Ahead: A Partnership Built for the Future

The FutureDial-SBF collaboration is just the beginning. As the partnership progresses, FutureDial will continue to introduce new automation solutions, integrate advanced AI-driven technologies, and optimize mobile device processing at scale.

More details on this initiative will be revealed in the coming months as FutureDial and SBF continue to lead the charge in automation and innovation.

For media inquiries, please contact:

Brad Treese

FutureDial PR Team

pr@futuredial.com

About FutureDial

FutureDial is the leading provider of automation solutions for mobile device processing, diagnostics, and refurbishment, helping businesses streamline operations, reduce costs, and enhance efficiency across the reverse logistics and circular economy. FutureDial’s AI-powered, modular automation solutions are used by mobile carriers, device resellers, and logistics companies worldwide.

About SB Frameworks

SB Frameworks (SBF) is a group company of SoftBank Corp., focused on mobile device refurbishment, logistics, and technology-driven solutions. As an innovator in Japan’s mobile industry, SBF is committed to advancing automation, sustainability, and operational excellence in the mobile device lifecycle.

Logo – https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2654561/SB_Frameworks_and_FutureDial_Logo.jpg

View original content:https://www.prnewswire.com/apac/news-releases/futuredial-partners-with-sb-frameworks-to-drive-mobile-refurbishment-automation-in-japan-302416478.html

SOURCE FUTUREDIAL INCORPORATED

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Otis Selected As Elevator and Escalator Supplier for Kaohsiung MRT Red Line Extension

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1 hour ago

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April 2, 2025

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TAIPEI, April 2, 2025 /PRNewswire/ — Otis Taiwan will supply 65 elevators and escalators for the extension of the Kaohsiung MRT Red Line RLC01, expanding its presence in the city’s transportation network. Otis Taiwan is part of Otis Worldwide Corporation (NYSE: OTIS), the world leader in the manufacture, installation and maintenance of elevators and escalators.

The Red Line RLC01 expansion will include 3 stations. Otis will provide 50 escalators and 15 Gen2 elevators. The project is scheduled to conclude by 2030.

“We are honored to build on our longstanding relationship with the Kaohsiung MRT. This project demonstrates our commitment to advancing urban mobility in Kaohsiung and highlights our dedication and expertise in providing safe, efficient and innovative elevators and escalators for transport infrastructure projects in Taiwan and worldwide,” said Ian Lau, Managing Director of Otis Taiwan.

The heavy-duty escalator is designed to meet the demands of high-traffic environments. Otis’ best-selling Gen2 elevator replaced conventional ropes with coated steel belts for a smoother ride and reduced energy consumption compared with conventional elevator machines.

In addition to the MRT Red Line expansion, Otis has provided elevators and escalators across Kaohsuing’s Railway, High-Speed Rail and MRT systems. This includes Kaohsiung Station, ZuoYing HSR Station, Kaohsiung MRT Red Line RK1, and the under-construction Kaohsiung MRT Yellow Line.

About Otis

Otis gives people freedom to connect and thrive in a taller, faster, smarter world. The global leader in the manufacture, installation and servicing of elevators and escalators, we move 2.4 billion people a day and maintain approximately 2.4 million customer units worldwide – the industry’s largest Service portfolio. You’ll find us in the world’s most iconic structures, as well as residential and commercial buildings, transportation hubs and everywhere people are on the move. Headquartered in Connecticut, USA, Otis is 72,000 people strong, including 44,000 field professionals, all committed to manufacturing, installing and maintaining products to meet the diverse needs of our customers and passengers in more than 200 countries and territories. To learn more, visit www.otis.com and follow us on LinkedIn, Instagram and Facebook @OtisElevatorCo.

View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/apac/news-releases/otis-selected-as-elevator-and-escalator-supplier-for-kaohsiung-mrt-red-line-extension-302416877.html

SOURCE OTIS TAIWAN

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