Showa Denko Accelerates Search for Optimal Formulation of Semiconductor Materials with Quantum Computing Technology

Feb 10, 2022 13:00 JST

Source: Showa Denko K.K.

TOKYO, Feb 10, 2022 - (JCN Newswire) - Showa Denko K.K. (SDK; TSE:4004) has demonstrated the ability of quantum computing technology to accelerate the exploration of the optimal formulation of semiconductor materials, reducing the exploration time from dozens of years of conventional methods to dozens of seconds.

Image of optimization of semiconductor materials formulation

Semiconductor materials contain numerous ingredients such as resins, fillers, and additives in various mixing ratios, and high-performance materials are obtained by optimizing the formulation. However, the theoretical number of combinations of ingredients and mixing ratios to be analyzed is more than 1050. Thus, it will take more than dozens of years to explore all possible combinations of these ingredients and their mixing ratios with conventional artificial intelligence (AI) methods. Therefore, we had analyzed only part of theoretically possible combinations before.

To reduce the time required for the exploration, we focus on using high-performance computing technology, Digital Annealer*1, a quantum-inspired technology*2 developed by Fujitsu Ltd. Showa Denko has developed an AI model for predicting the properties of semiconductor materials from complex formulation conditions. To make the AI model computable on Digital Annealer, Showa Denko has expressed the AI model as an Ising model*3, one of the statistical mechanical methods. By simulating the Ising model on Digital Annealer, we have reduced the exploration time to dozens of seconds, about 72,000 times faster than the time required by conventional AI methods, where the type and amount of ingredients to be explored are limited for conventional AI methods. Moreover, the optimal formulation designed with the Ising model is expected to obtain semiconductor materials with 30% higher performance than the formulation designed with conventional AI methods.

In its "Long-term Vision for Newly Integrated Company," the Showa Denko Group has announced that it will commit itself to research and development of AI and computational science, which is the core of its fundamental R&D activities. The result of this development is an example of achievements of R&D activities based on the application of "Chemistry to Think" on "Chemistry to Formulate," both of which the Group has defined its basic frameworks for technological development. The Group will apply this development to various materials, accelerate our development activities, and provide our customers with solutions for their problems, thereby contributing to a sustainable society.

*1: Digital Annealer: Domain specific computer architecture (basic computer design consisting of memory and computing circuits) specialized in solving computationally intensive combinatorial optimization problems. ( https://www.fujitsu.com/global/services/business-services/digital-annealer/ )
*2: Quantum-inspired computing technology: High-performance computing technology inspired by quantum technology, though not directly using quantum effects.
*3: Ising model: A statistical mechanical model for describing the behavior of spins in magnetic materials. The model describes the macroscopic magnetization of a magnetic material by considering the interaction between the spins and the coupling to the external magnetic field. The model is applied to a wide range of research areas, including combinatorial optimization problems.

About Showa Denko K.K.

Showa Denko K.K. (SDK; TSE:4004, ADR:SHWDY) is a major manufacturer of chemical products serving from heavy industry to computers and electronics. The Petrochemicals Sector provides cracker products such as ethylene and propylene, the Chemicals Sector provides industrial, high-performance and high-purity gases and chemicals for semicon and other industries, the Inorganics Sector provides ceramic products, such as alumina, abrasives, refractory/graphite electrodes and fine carbon products. The Aluminum Sector provides aluminum materials and high-value-added fabricated aluminum, the Electronics Sector provides HD media, compound semiconductors such as ultra high bright LEDs, and rare earth magnetic alloys, and the Advanced Battery Materials Department (ABM) provides lithium-ion battery components. For more information, please visit www.sdk.co.jp/english/.

For further information, contact:
Showa Denko K.K., Brand Communication Department, Tel: 81-3-5470-3235

Sectors: Electronics, Chemicals, Artificial Intel [AI]