IBM Research To Lead Company's Advanced Computer Chip R&D At SUNY Polytechnic Institute

More Than 220 New-York-based Engineers Join IBM Research To Drive the Future of Computer Chips

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Jan 30, 2015, 09:15 ET

ALBANY, N.Y., Jan. 30, 2015 /PRNewswire/ -- IBM (NYSE: IBM) and SUNY Polytechnic Institute (SUNY Poly) today announced that more than 220 engineers and scientists who lead IBM's advanced chip research and development efforts at SUNY Poly's Albany Nanotech campus will become part of IBM Research, the technology industry's largest and most influential research organization.

The move supports Governor Andrew M. Cuomo's public-private partnership model for innovation and economic development and is part of IBM's $3 billion investment in chip R&D over the next five years. These efforts will push the limits of chip technology needed to meet the emerging demands of cloud computing, Big Data, and cognitive computing systems.

"The groundbreaking work that these engineers will conduct at SUNY Polytechnic Institute reflects IBM's long-term commitment to inventing the future of microelectronics," said Dr. John Kelly, Senior Vice President, Solutions Portfolio and Research at IBM. "The IBMers working at SUNY Poly possess unique skills and capabilities, positioning our company to drive development of the next generation of chips and to fuel a new era of computing."

"On behalf of New York State, we are thrilled that our advanced R&D facilities can now collaborate even more directly with IBM Research, and look forward to gaining more immediate access to thousands of the industry's top researchers from around the globe," said Dr. Alain Kaloyeros, President and CEO of SUNY Polytechnic Institute. "It's a real testament to the vision and leadership of Governor Andrew Cuomo, and to the success of the investments that IBM and New York State have made to attract premier technology skills and talent to the Capital District."

The $3 billion investment that IBM announced in July 2014 focuses on the development of basic materials science to make it possible to shrink semiconductors to 7 nanometers and beyond, as well as support research into completely new areas beyond traditional silicon architectures, such as synaptic computing, quantum devices, carbon nanotubes, and photonics, that could transform computing of all kinds.

IBM and SUNY Poly have built a highly successful, globally recognized partnership at the multi-billion dollar Albany NanoTech Complex, highlighted by the institution's Center for Semiconductor Research (CSR), a $500 million program that also includes the world's leading nanoelectronics companies. The CSR is a long-term, multi-phase, joint R&D cooperative program on future computer chip technology. IBM was a founding member of Governor Andrew M. Cuomo's Global 450 Consortium. It continues to provide student scholarships and fellowships at the university to help prepare the next generation of nanotechnology scientists, researchers and engineers.

The IBM-SUNY Poly partnership expands beyond Albany, as SUNY Poly continues its explosive growth across New York. As previously announced, IBM is locating 500 high tech jobs in Buffalo as a component of Governor Cuomo's Buffalo Billion and the establishment of the $55 million Buffalo IT Innovation and Commercialization Hub.

Today's news follows a series of IBM milestones in New York State. Just two weeks ago, the company announced that it broke the U.S. patent record with a total of 7,534 patents, marking the 22nd consecutive year IBM led the list of patent recipients. A total of 2,750 IBM patents were generated in New York State -- more than any other state in the union.

In addition, the pioneering work of IBM chip researchers contributed to the world's fastest processor in IBM's new z13 mainframe computer, announced earlier this month. And in November, the U.S. Department of Energy awarded IBM a $325 million contract to deliver two data-centric computing systems based on the industry-leading Power architecture created in IBM's New York-based R&D labs.

IBM's association with SUNY Poly dates to the institution's founding, catalyzed by Governor Mario M. Cuomo's initial investments and his Center for Advanced Technology designation that led to the establishment of the College of Nanoscale Science and Engineering. IBM and New York State then provided the initial funding of $150 million for New York's Center of Excellence in Nanoelectronics and Nanotechnology, located at what is now SUNY Polytechnic Institute.

James Sciales
IBM Research
914-945-1402
[email protected]

David Doyle
SUNY Polytechnic
518-956-7091
[email protected]

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SOURCE IBM