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227-0621-00L 3 Credits MSC D-HEST , D-MAVT , D-PHYS , D-ITET , D-MATL

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Emerging Memory Technologies

Lecturers & Examiners: Prof. Dr. Maksym Yarema

VVZ CR n/a

Last Updated: 2026-02-05 16:01:33

Abstract

The course covers the status and prospects of post-silicon memory technologies, such as PCM, RRAM, STT-MRAM and FeRAM, and others. Students learn and compare these future memory technologies by means of interactive lectures, group projects, and laboratory sessions. The course employs constructive alignment and active learning teaching concepts.

Objective

Students will learn about main contenders for post-silicon storage-class memory. Decades of research made available several working principles for efficient memory devices, including phase-change of the structure (PCM), materials conversion (OxRAM), ion diffusion (CBRAM), magnetic properties (STT-MRAM and FeRAM), and others. Currently, these memory technologies emerge from research to industry, and many predict them at least niche applications for ever-growing hardware market. However, some of technologies (such as PCM) may even conquer the silicon-based flash memory eventually, providing better performance and unique features already now. Students will compare emerging memory technologies with state-of-the-art SSD Flash and HDD memories and between each other’s. Selecting to study one technology in more details, students will evaluate its potential and acquire important presenting and critical thinking skills

Content

The course is organized as a series of lectures, which are synchronized with student group projects, focusing on selected memory technologies. Students will spend 2h per week in the class and laboratory as well as 2-3 h per week working on group projects. The goal of the latter is to present selected memory technology in form of 3 presentations (20-25 min each), followed the example given by the lecturer.

Resources

Literature

Lecture notes will be made available on the website.

General Information

Language: English
Levels: MSC
Frequency: Yearly recurring

Examination

Type: graded semester performance

The course grade will be based on three presentations during the semester (50%) and a final exam (50%). Since the class is built on a concept of constructive alignment learning, the attendance of lectures is highly recommended.

Registration & Places

Max Places: 30

Course Components

Type	Title	Time & Place	Hours
lecture	Emerging Memory Technologies	Mon 16:15-17:00 (ETZ E 9)	1 h weekly
exercise	Emerging Memory Technologies	Mon 17:15-18:00 (ETZ E 9)	1 h weekly

Offered In

Materials Science Master
- Elective Courses (The students are free to choose individually from the entire course offer of ETH Zürich on the Master level. Please consult the study administration in case of questions.)
Biomedical Engineering Master
- Track Courses
  - Bioelectronics
    - Recommended Elective Courses (These courses are particularly recommended for the Bioelectronics track. Please consult your track advisor if you wish to select other subjects.)
Micro- and Nanosystems Master
- Core Courses
  - Elective Core Courses
Electrical Engineering and Information Technology Master
- Master Studies (Programme Regulations 2018)
  - Electronics and Photonics (The core courses and specialisation courses below are a selection for students who wish to specialise in the area of "Electronics and Photonics", see . The individual study plan is subject to the tutor's approval.)
    - Specialisation Courses (These specialisation courses are particularly recommended for the area of "Electronics and Photonics", but you are free to choose courses from any other field in agreement with your tutor. A minimum of 40 credits must be obtained from specialisation courses during the Master's Programme.)
Physics Master
- Electives
  - General Electives (Students may choose General Electives from the entire course programme of ETH Zurich - with the following restrictions: courses that belong to the first or second year of a Bachelor curriculum at ETH Zurich as well as courses from GESS "Science in Perspective" are not eligible here. The following courses are explicitly recommended to physics students by their lecturers. (Courses in this list may be assigned to the category "General Electives" directly in myStudies. For the category assignment of other eligible courses keep the choice "no category" and take contact with the Study Administration ( ) after having received the credits.))