Innovation Council Research Articles

(Invited) High Write Efficiency in Voltage-Control Spintronics Memory (VoCSM) for Saving Energy Consumption of Nonvolatile Memories

MRAM based on spin-transfer-torque (STT) write operations has been intensively developed as a technology for saving energy. During the development of high-density STT-MRAM, issues have arisen that have placed an intrinsic physical limit on the miniaturization of STT-MRAM. Recently, we proposed and developed a voltage-control spintronics memory (VoCSM) that employs the voltage-controlled-magnetic-anisotropy (VCMA) effect for the selection of MTJs and the spin-Hall effect (SHE) for write operations [1]. We achieved high write efficiency in the VoCSM by taking the following approaches: (1) developing a self-aligned VoCSM structure; (2) improving the spin-Hall electrode to have a large spin-Hall angle; and (3) optimizing the magnetic design of the storage layer. The VoCSM in the present study employs in-plane MTJs. The critical switching current Ic0 in this VoCSM is expressed as follows: Ic0 ~ (2e/ħ)αM S t eff{-(H k_eff-H k_eff(V))/2}(w N t N/θ SH) Here, e is the charge of an electron, α is a damping constant, ħ is Planck’s constant divided by 2π, M S is the saturation magnetization, t eff is the effective thickness of the storage layer, H k_eff is the effective perpendicular magnetic anisotropy field, H k_eff(V) is the variation of H k_eff by the applied voltage (V MTJ), w N and t N are respectively the width and thickness of the spin-Hall electrode, and θ SH is the spin-Hall angle. Approach (1) We fabricated a VoCSM consisting of a string of several MTJs on spin-Hall electrodes as shown in Fig. 1. In the self-aligned VoCSM structure, since the width of the spin-Hall electrode and that of the MTJ are same, almost all of the spin-polarized electrons can exert torque on the storage layer. This enabled a large reduction in the Ic of the self-aligned VoCSM [2]. Furthermore, when the spin-Hall electrode was made thinner by using a highly-selective patterning process, Ic was further reduced [3]. Approach (2) We applied a novel amorphous-TaB/ β-Ta spin-Hall electrode in the VoCSM, as shown in Fig. 1. The amorphous TaB exhibits a large spin-Hall angle (θ SH = -0.18) that is twice that of β-Ta, because extrinsic effects likely have a dominant role in the SHE of TaB [4]. We successfully prepared an extremely small magnetic dead layer (DL) of the storage layer with small interface roughness by using the TaB spin-Hall electrode. The estimated interfacial transparency of CoFeB/TaB had a relatively high value of 0.60 due to the extremely small DL. Approach (3) In the precessional switching mode for in-plane MTJs as represented in Fig. 1, since the spins in the storage layer precess from in-plane to out-of-plane, increasing H k_eff has a big impact on lowering Ic. However, the total magnetization M S t eff and H k_eff are correlated significantly with the magnetic design of the device. In particular, although lowering the total magnetization M S t eff has the advantage of lowering Ic, it may also have the effect of decreasing the retention Δ. In this study, we were able to maintain the retention Δ by increasing t eff (i.e. reducing the size of DL) despite the decreased M S. Consequently, from the perspective of lowering Ic, we successfully achieved factors such as high θ SH, self-aligned device structure related to small w N t N, high H k_eff, low α, and low M S. Device properties of the VoCSM By combining the self-aligned fabrication technique with a novel TaB spin-Hall electrode, a quite small value of critical switching current (Ic ~ 79 μA) was achieved despite a relatively large MTJ size (60 nm × 150 nm). We successfully reduced the write current further to 48 μA by the VCMA effect. The write efficiency of the VoCSM without the VCMA effect is about 4 times higher, and furthermore the write efficiency of the VoCSM by using the VCMA effect can reach 8 times higher compared with STT write operations. The VoCSM device also demonstrates high reliability such as a low write error rate (< 1 × 10-8), high endurance (> 1 × 1012 cycles), and large break-down voltage (> 2.5 V). These results indicate that VoCSM could open a path to realizing high-density nonvolatile memories with low power consumption and high-speed read and write operations. This work was partly supported by the ImPACT Program of the Council for Science, Technology and Innovation (Cabinet Office, Government of Japan).

The Office of Management and Budget: The Quarterback of Evidence-Based Policy in the Federal Government

During the Obama administration, the White House Office of Management and Budget’s (OMB) leadership helped to initiate and cement evidence-based policymaking reforms across the federal government, particularly in social services programs. Notable accomplishments were in the design of outcome-focused programs that use and build evidence, the strengthening of agency evaluation capacity, and interagency data-linkage projects to harness administrative data. Here, I review those accomplishments and catalog the key assets and tactics that OMB used to help federal agencies increase their use of evidence and innovation. I also assess the shortcomings and limitations of the Obama-era OMB approach and draw conclusions about what could be done in the current or a future administration to further advance evidence-based policymaking in the executive branch. Specifically, I propose that Congress and the administration should work to improve agency evaluation capacity, assess and report on agencies’ progress in using and building evidence, and establish an Intergovernmental Evidence and Innovation Council.

Legal analysis of the new register of research organizations

Abstract In the middle of 2017 the Ministry of Education, Youth and Sports published a new register of research organizations as part of an ongoing effort to establish, within the framework of the Czech Republic state administration, a central body responsible for assessing the defining attributes of research organizations, thereby removing the need for each grantor to conduct such assessment individually. The consequence of this measure is to effectively replace the existing register maintained by the Research, Development and Innovation Council, which essentially has no legal relevance compared to this new register. Successful completion of the assessment is a requirement for research organizations to obtain funding not considered to be state aid therefore the existence of a legally binding register is crucial even though the above mentioned authorities do not perceive it this way. This approach questions the future of the register itself underscored by the fact that it has been marred by legislative errors. However, the register now works and more than 112 entities (updated to 14th of December 2017) are registered and available for grantors to use to assess beneficiaries. The aim of this article is presentation with its legal substance and analysis of its meaning for potential registrants, especially in the context of providing grants, including the relevant issues.

Pre-design of a commuter transport utilising Voltaic-Joule/Brayton motive power systems

ABSTRACTThis investigation surveyed the potential and established outcomes for future 19-passenger fixed-wing commuter transport aircraft concepts employing battery-based Voltaic-Joule/Brayton motive power systems with no additional electrical energy drawn from generators mechanically coupled to thermal engines. The morphological approach was that of a tri-prop (two on-wing podded turbo-props and one aft-fuselage mounted electric motor configured as a pusher-on-pylon installation). A Battery System-level Gravimetric Specific Energy (referred to as “battery energy density”) of at least 500 Wh/kg yielded 39%, 25% and 10% block fuel reductions for 150-nm (Design Service Goal), 430-nm (85th percentile) and 700-nm (maximum range) stage lengths, respectively. All quoted comparisons are against a suitably projected turbo-prop only year-2030 aircraft. In contrast to the reference Beech 1900D, block fuel reductions of up to 44-49% were predicted, which could facilitate a significantly lower deficit in relation to the Advisory Council for Aviation Research and Innovation in Europe (ACARE) Strategic Research and Innovation Agenda (STRIA) 55% target for year 2030. This investigation also indicated that, in the future, suitably flexible hybrid-electric architectures could be fashioned allowing possibility for the aircraft to complete any required city-pair operations (within the legitimate payload-range working capacity) irrespective of exchangeable batteries being available at a given station. Finally, it was also established, assuming such a tri-prop morphology, Normal conducting machines delivering maximum shaft power output of 1.1 MW would be required.

Risk analysis of the EASA minimum fuel requirements considering the ACARE-defined safety target

We present the results of flight simulator experiments (60 runs) with randomly selected airline pilots under realistic operational conditions and discuss them in light of current fuel regulations and potential fuel starvation. The experiments were conducted to assess flight crew performance in handling complex technical malfunctions including decision-making in fourth-generation jet aircraft. Our analysis shows that the current fuel requirements of the European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) are not sufficient to guarantee the safety target of the Advisory Council for Aviation Research and Innovation in Europe (ACARE), which is less than one accident in 10 million flights. To comply with this safety target, we recommend increasing the Final Reserve Fuel from 30 min to 45 min for jet aircraft. The minimum dispatched fuel upon landing should be at least 1 h.

Evaluating an enrichment program in early childhood: a multi-methods approach

This article reports on the evaluation of one topic in an enrichment program designed for children in their early years of learning. The program is responsive to an increased understanding of the benefits for very young children of programs that not only take advantage of the sensitive periods for learning but that also assist parents to a take a proactive approach to their children's early learning (Australian Prime Minister's Science, Engineering and Innovation Council, 2009).The program being evaluated was delivered to a group of pre-preparatory students in five sessions over a period of two weeks. Data were collected using questionnaires, photographic and film recordings and field notes to ascertain the effectiveness of the program with regard to students demonstrating increased interest in the topic, in this case flowers, as well as to provide basic concepts of the topic. The term 'brain file' is introduced to encompass evidence of both interest and a basic concept or understanding. The findings reveal that participation in the enrichment program had a positive impact on students' interest in flowers. The instruction received through the enrichment program curriculum increased students' basic concept of flowers. In addition, the enrichment program had a positive impact on parental involvement in the learning process as measured by parent feedback. This research points to the potential of young children to develop brain files, which incorporate the notion of incr eased interest in and greater understanding of the topic. An enrichment program based on the principle of providing young children with starting points for learning has the potential to make a unique and valuable contribution to early learning.International Research in Early Childhood Education, vol. 6, no. 1, p. 38-61

Electrochemical Reduction of Borosilicate Glass in Molten CaCl2

1. Introduction In spite of the potential to mitigate the global warming and replace the current fossil fuel power generation, nuclear power generation has a problem on the geological disposal of radioactive wastes from the viewpoint of long-term safety. Thus, a new disposal process is proposed in Japan that the long-lived fission products (LLFPs) such as 135Cs, 79Se, 93Zr, and 107Pd whose half-lifes are around million years are separated and converted into short-lived or stable nuclides by nuclear transmutation [1]. According to the conventional scenario of geological disposal, huge amount of vitrified wastes have been produced. Since LLFPs are immobilized in a three-dimensional (3-D) network structure of glass in the vitrified wastes, it is necessary to develop a new method to recover LLFPs from the vitrified wastes. As a first-step of the recovery method, we propose the electrochemical reduction in molten CaCl2 to break the 3-D network structure of borosilicate glass in the vitrified wastes. In the present study, as an initial consideration, we investigated the electrochemical reduction behavior of borosilicate glass without LLFPs in molten CaCl2. 2. Experimental The experiments were conducted in molten CaCl2 in a dry Ar atmosphere at 1123 K. As a working electrode, a glass-seal electrode which was prepared by sealing a tungsten rod (diameter: 2.0 mm) into an alkali borosilicate glass tube (Pyrex®, SiO2 81.1 wt%, B2O3 12.6 wt%, Al2O3 2.3 wt%, Na2O/K2O 4.0 wt%, o.d. 8 mm) was used. The counter and reference electrodes were a graphite rod and an Ag+/Ag electrode, respectively. After potentiostatic electrolysis at 0.9 V vs. Ca2+/Ca for 30 minutes, the glass-seal electrodes were rinsed by distilled water, and then characterized by SEM/EDX and XRD. For XPS measurement, the samples were consecutively rinsed by distilled water, 8 % HCl aqueous solution, and 10 % NaOH aqueous solution. 3. Results and Discussion 3-1. Thermodynamic Analysis & Cyclic Voltammetr y According to the Gibbs energies of formation for the oxides composing borosilicate glass (MO x , M = Si, B, Al, Na, K), K2O, Na2O, and B2O3 are less stable than SiO2 at the experimental temperature of 1123 K. On the other hand, the reduction of Al2O3 occurs at more negative potentials than the reduction of SiO2. From the Gibbs energies of formation for the related oxides and chlorides (MO x and MCl x , M = Ca, Si, B, Al, Na, K), the following reactions of the oxides with molten CaCl2 are thermodynamically favorable. Na2O (s) + CaCl2 (l) = CaO (s) + 2 NaCl (l) ΔGº(1123K) = −246.5 kJ mol-1 K2O (s) + CaCl2 (l) = CaO (s) + 2 KCl (l) ΔGº(1123K) = −347.7 kJ mol-1 Namely, the dissolutions of Na2O and K2O from borosilicate glass are highly expected only by immersion in molten CaCl2. In the cyclic voltammogram for a borosilicate glass-seal electrode, cathodic current was observed at more positive potential than that for silica glass [2]. Based on the thermodynamic calculations, the reduction of B2O3 was suggested to occur in this potential region. 3-2. Characterization of Products Prepared by Potentiostatic Electrolysis An XRD pattern of the reduced borosilicate glass confirmed the reduction of SiO2 and the formation of crystalline silicon. From XPS spectra for B 1s before and after the reduction, the weakened B–O peak and strengthened B–B or B–Si peak were clearly observed. The existence of the reduced state of boron confirms the reduction of B2O3. The reduction of SiO2 was also confirmed by XPS Si 2p spectra. As shown in the SEM image in Fig. 1, granules with a diameter of 1~10 μm were produced in the reduction product. From the EDX mapping results, the oxide portions in the sample always contain all of Al, Ca, and Cl. This indicates that aluminum oxide is not reduced at 0.9 V, and that calcium aluminate is formed by reacting with CaO in the molten salt. The existence of chlorine is explained by the formation of complex compounds consisting of calcium aluminate and CaCl2. The dissolution of Na2O into molten CaCl2 was also confirmed from EDX analysis. Acknowledgement This work was partly funded by ImPACT Program of Council for Science, Technology and Innovation (Cabinet Office, Government of Japan).

(Invited) Scaled Magnetic Tunnel Junctions for High-Density Nonvolatile Memories

We report scaled magnetic tunnel junction (MTJ) for high-density nonvolatile cache memory. Under the same clock frequency, CPU performance can be improved by increasing its embedded cache memory capacity because the probability of cache misses decreases as cache memory capacity increases. Our motivation is to realize small magnetic tunnel junctions which enable high density embedded STT-MRAM cache. We have already proposed a unique fabrication technique which we call it as “shrink process” for reducing the size of a MTJ and realized MTJs with 20 nm in diameter [2014 Symposium on VLSI Technol. pp.212-213].In this paper, in order to realize scaled MTJs with an MgO barrier, two major issues have to be solved. One is to realize a very thin barrier to keep moderate MTJ resistance from the point of a 1-transistor and 1-MTJ memory cell configuration. Another is to fabricate small MTJs without increasing their size variation. In this paper, in order to realize the thin MgO barrier, its leakage mechanism was studied precisely, and proposed its model and possible solutions which will leads to much reduced leakage current and enough write endurance. The shrink process for small MTJs was also investigated from the point of scalability without increasing MTJ size variation. After the MTJ etching, various plasma treatments were done. During this treatment, the sidewall surface of the MTJ was modified, which resulted in the small electrical MTJ size of around 20 nm. Proposed techniques are scalable and promising for sub-20 nm MTJ generations. This work was funded by ImPACT Program of Council for Science, Technology and Innovation.

The Tree of Life: China project

The Tree of Life: China project

Leading Innovation from the Board

Author focuses on a structured innovation governance mechanism at the board level for an enterprise. For the active corporate governance of “Innovation”, the author suggests an “Innovation Council”. Such a structured approach to the innovation process within the organization will help board member in multiple aspects. Multiple aspects include better information on market changes, changing consumer needs, competition, and organizational dynamics. The reports of “Innovation Council” integrate board level governance with the routine functioning of an organization. Now board member can provide inputs rather than just approvals. The exposure to “Innovation Council” helps the board to make a better decision. This approach will also help executive to get support for decisions related to new hiring, organizational changes, a new department, market trial or R&D budget and get support for the bright ideas, which are threatened by internal organizational politics.The active innovation governance process is highlighted via the case study of companies who are able to win the trust of their stakeholders, attract growth capital and deliver superior financial performance.

Impact of Score Recalculation of Publication Evaluation on the Czech Higher Education Institutions

The evaluation of the publication outputs in the Czech Republic is based on the methodology from the Research, Development and Innovation Council. This methodology assigns a score to each output according to a various categories. The evaluation is carried out for 5 year-long sliding period. However, the assigned score for an output is published with more than a year delay. Moreover, the assigned score, in most of the cases, does not correspond with the scientists’ first calculation, which was made according to the generally known rules. The impact of this issue on the chosen scientific organisations, Higher Education Institutions (HEIs), is the topic of this paper. The evaluation and analysis of the financial impact of this gap on the Czech higher education institutions’ budgets is provided with data from the years 2007 to 2012.

デライトなものづくりのための環境

Design Management for Cross-disciplinary Teams (DMCT) is a project that studies how to implement experience-value capturing technical design and hammer out a best business management model for it. The project is supported by the Council for Science, Technology and Innovation's (CSTI) Strategic Innovation Program (SIP) under the theme of “Innovative Design/Manufacturing Technologies”. The DMCT project brings together manufacturing sector leaders, think-tanks and academic institutions to usher in the new era of manufacturing. The new strategy will obviously not succeed without free-flowing communication and exchanges of ideas among designers and engineers. Manufacturers must create an environment that encourages those professionals to step out of their highly specialized fields and share their expertise and imaginations. The DMCT project creates a mechanism for developing, testing and validating the best organizational management methods in order to break down communication silos and foster cross-disciplinary and cross-supply chain interactions and collaborations.

Національні консультативно-дорадчі органи у системі публічного управління у сфері науки та вищої освіти

Предметом дослідження у статті стали організаційно-правові засади функціонування найвищих консультативно-дорадчих органів у сфері вищої освіти і науки, які створені при центральних органах публічної влади в Україні та деяких країнах Європи. Мета статті: на основі національної нормативно-правової бази Польщі, Чехії, Угорщини та Німеччини проаналізувати модель формування та функціонування національних дорадчих органів у системі управління наукою у цих країнах як суб’єктів вироблення національної наукової політики. Зокрема розглянуто місце у системі публічного управління таких інституцій: Національна рада науки та вищої освіти Польщі, Комітет наукової політики Польщі, Рада з питань досліджень, розвитку та інновацій Чехії, Національна Рада досліджень, інновацій та наукової політики Угорщини, Німецька наукова рада тощо. Доведено, що консультативні органи є елементом системи публічного управління та суб’єктом вироблення національної наукової політики. Вони сформовані у демократичний спосіб відповідно до принципів розподіленого врядування та, переважно, інституційного представництва. У статті проаналізовано деякі аспекти концепції створення Національної ради України з питань розвитку науки і технологій, закладеної у Законі України «Про наукову і науково-технічну діяльність», зокрема у контексті аналогічних європейських організацій. Розгляд концепції створення Національної ради України з питань розвитку науки і технологій з урахуванням адміністративно-управлінських ризиків може бути застосований під час імплементації Закону України «Про наукову і науково-технічну діяльність».

YSZ-Polyester Abradable Coatings Manufactured by APS

Abradable seals are used in aircraft engine compressor and turbine to decrease fuel consumption. Their role is to minimize the clearance between the rotating blades of an engine rotor and the casing to reduce air leakages (compressor) or air-fuel combustion product leakages (turbine). Operating temperatures in turbines (up to 1800 °C) can induce a thermal expansion of the blades and give rise to contacts providing damages to the blades or casing. Thus, in case of contact, the blade should remove the abradable seals applied to the casing without being damaged. Besides, the seal must be resistant to the turbine environment. Direct relationships have been observed between plasma spray operating parameters and abradable coating performances. The aim of this study is to determine those relationships for YSZ-Polyester abradable composite coatings. This study is conducted within the framework of the 7FP European project E-BREAK to reach the environmental objectives of the European Advisory Council for Aviation Research and innovation.

Measuring Innovation - A Discussion of Innovation Indicators at the National Level

The present analysis, contracted on behalf of the Secretariat of the Swiss Science and Innovation Council, discusses measures of innovation based on three well-known rankings: the Global Innovation Index, the Innovation Union Scorecard, and the Knowledge Economy Index. It examines some basic characteristics of these indexes, including the only partial reflection of the latest developments or of country-specific aspects, the great difficulty of obtaining comparable data, and the lack of information about causal connections between input and output data. Bibliometric data, the number of tertiary degrees by age group, and patent statistics, whose respective limitations are discussed, are among the indicators widely used to create the various indexes. The analysis comes to the conclusion that the relevant dimensions of a higher education, research, and innovation system are not fully covered by these systems of indicators. The author finds the reason for this lies not only in lacking data but also because not all areas in higher education, research, and innovation are measurable. Trying to express the innovative performance of a country by aggregating indicators is problematic since there is little empirical evidence about the reciprocal effects of indicators on one another. A further weakness lies in the insufficient reflection of qualitative aspects in innovation indicators. As a consequence, one runs the danger that policy measures will be adopted based on quantitative data without, or with inadequate consideration, given to qualitative dimensions even though these are of particular importance in higher education, research and innovation. Despite these limitations – and even if indicators at best can only identify strengths and weaknesses rather than explain them – the analysis also points to the usefulness of indicators in providing a general impression of the innovation system of a given country.

Emergent innovation

Fernando Flores, president of Chile's National Innovation Council for Competitiveness, discusses a new common sense about innovation.

Michael Raupach (1950–2015)

Michael Raupach (1950–2015)

US must increase its energy funding, says innovation council

US must increase its energy funding, says innovation council

Politics as Scholarly Practice

In addition to his very considerable and influential body of scholarship, and his roles as a pathfinder and senior leader of cultural studies in Australia and beyond, Graeme Turner has made a profound if less well-known contribution as an advocate and adviser at the national level, for cultural studies and the wider humanities. Turner's election in 2004 as President of the Australian Academy of the Humanities was greeted by elements of the conservative commentariat as the final proof of the complete annihilation of sense and meaning in Australian universities. Within four years, Turner had garnered sufficient respect to be appointed personally to the nation's preeminent science and research advisory body, the Prime Minister's Science, Engineering and Innovation Council, a distinction confirmed by his reappointment in 2012. This article offers an intimate account of Turner's advocacy and policy activities, detailing many of the achievements, along with some of the frustrating near-misses, of his work during and after his Presidency. It traces his development from a seasoned institutional player and accomplished scholar, encountering the dual challenges of slippery politics and leaden bureaucracy, to his rapid emergence as an expert political operator quite at home (if a little cold) in Canberra. The article proposes a theory of Turner's approach, beyond his well-known work ethic, intellectual acuity and force of personality, conceiving of his advocacy and policy work as a species of cultural studies itself – an enactment of a politically engaged cultural practice – as much as an initiative on its behalf. This account looks back to Turner's own cultural scholarship for insights into his deployment of a highly sophisticated intellectual toolkit in a theoretically informed practice, to gain the attention, respect and support of politicians, public servants, industry leaders and the powerful science lobby.

Additive Manufacturing of Titanium Alloy for Aircraft Components

Selective Laser melting (SLM) is an additive manufacturing technology that uses laser as a power source to sinter powdered metals to produce solid structures. The application of SLM permits engineers to develop and implement components with topologically optimized designs and resultant material properties in comparison to conventionally produced casting parts. Current aviation programs as ACARE 2020 (Advisory Council for Aviation Research and Innovation in the EU) and Flightpath 2050 request a reduction of fuel consumption as well as CO2 and NOx emissions in the next years. To meet these requirements there is a clear trend to produce light-weight components for engines and structural parts of aircrafts through SLM. Since SLM process is a key technology for aeronautical application, this paper focusses on the qualification of a high performance titanium alloy as well as on the investigation of optimized process parameters and positioning strategies of the structures produced in the SLM machine.