The Gartner market research firm has released its 2011 version of their "Hype
Cycle for Semiconductors" report and has included six new technologies.
The renamed "Hype Cycle for Semiconductors and Electronics Technologies" includes the broader scope of technologies covered — such as displays, batteries, capacitors and wireless power.
Specifically, the 2011Hype Cycle includes the following six new technologies: quantum dot displays, cognitive radio, terahertz waves, MEMS displays, lithium iron phosphate batteries and 450-mm wafers.
Gartner's vice president Distinguished Analyst Jim Tully claims these are important emerging technologies that should be tracked during the next few years.
Among the research's major findings are:
There were relatively few shifts in technologies during the past year. The prevailing economic conditions are no doubt partly responsible for this.
Therefore, no technologies from last year's Hype Cycle have progressed beyond the Plateau of Productivity; and they remain in this year's Hype Cycle. Also, no technologies have been pushed backward except for electronic paper because of a definition change to include color technologies as well.
Gartner has moved optical silicon, which has been in pre-peak position for the past several years, and floating body DRAM to join FPGA embedded in a SoC, micro fuel cells and phase change memory in the Trough of Disillusionment. (See figure)
