|
Michael Farmwald, Co-founder Matrix Semiconductor Inc., USA
 1. Briefly tell us what it is about your company/project that makes it so special?
Matrix implements the first true three-dimensional semiconductor memory. Over the next 5 years, I believe that all memory will be built using 3D technology, including flash and DRAM. Flash memory is the memory used in digital cameras and music players (such as the iPOD®). DRAM is the memory used by all personal computers.
2. What country best facilitates starting a tech company? What single thing can a government do to encourage Technology Pioneers?
It is hard for me to say anything other than the USA and Silicon Valley. Clearly the rest of the world is catching up, but this area has all of the components needed to build startups – the very best people, including both technical and management skills, and who have the experience of previous tech startups.
3. What makes an innovator?
An innovator needs a combination of technical ability, willingness to think ahead the right amount (too much or too little can be equally bad), market sense, and some business skills and history.
4. How does your company directly contribute to improving the state of the world?
Revolutionizing the semiconductor memory space, both the cost and size. We will enable much larger capacity storage devices (true video iPODs), and much cheaper devices. In the long run, as computers truly become more able to learn and reason like humans, the size and cost of the memories required will absolutely require Matrix 3D technology.
5. What value do you hope to gain from being a Technology Pioneer?
It’s fun. Of course, I like making money and getting some recognition. Each success allows one more freedom and flexibility to do the next thing.
6. What do you think the role of technology should be in society?
Either we drastically reduce population or we need technology. Since I don’t believe we can force the world’s population down without unacceptable consequences, we need technology to enable the world to live decently.
7. What is the right balance in society between scientific interest and ethical concerns?
Obviously some balance is required. I don’t like excessive control of the outcome by “conventional” religious thinking, which unfortunately seems to be occurring in both the USA and Europe. The religious right in the USA drives some very bad technology outcomes and the green left in Europe (just as extreme in my view) drives even worse in Europe. I do wish scientists had more say (as compared to lawyers).
|
