Talk by Walter Riess
Title: Towards Next Generation of Computing
Date: Thursday, March 2, 2017, 11:00 am
Location: School of Engineering II, Campus de Gualtar, University of Minho, Braga (Auditorium)
Abstract: In the past decades the evolution of Information Technology has been governed by an exponential growth (Moore's law) enabling continued economic, social and even political
disruptions. However, as Moore's law fades, progress will be less metronomic, nevertheless computers and other devices will continue to become more powerful. In my talk I will give brief
insights towards the future of computing, addressing recent and future developments in convencional computing and new computing paradigms (neuromorphic & quantum computing).
Bio: Dr. Walter Riess is Head of the Science & Technology department at IBM Research – Zurich and coordinator of the Binnig and Rohrer Nanotechnology Center. The Zurich laboratory is
home to world-class scientists representing more than 45 nationalities. Cutting-edge research and outstanding scientific achievements — including two Nobel Prizes — are associated with
this Lab. The research activities of the Science & Technology department include future device concepts, quantum computing, personalized medicine, mobile health, human body data
interfaces and nanotechnology.
Dr. Riess studied physics at the University of Bayreuth, Germany, where which he earned a Ph.D. in 1991 and habilitated in 1996. From 1991 to 1995, he led the Polymeric Light-Emitting
Device group of Experimental Physics II at the University of Bayreuth. In 1995, he joined the IBM Research – Zurich Laboratory as a research staff member working on organic light-emitting
diodes (LED). In 1998, he became manager of the Display Technology group working on display applications of electroluminescent organic materials, which today are game-changing
technologies used in many television displays and mobile devices.
Dr. Riess has received numerous IBM awards and recognitions, among them the prestigious IBM Corporate Patent Portfolio Award in 2005. In 2007, he received a Special Recognition
Award from the Society for Information Display for his leading contributions to the design and development of a top-emitting large-area active-matrix organic light-emitting display
driven by amorphous silicon thin-film transistors. In 2014 he was named Distinguished Research Staff Member at IBM Research – Zurich.
Dr. Riess has authored and/or coauthored more than 100 scientific papers and holds 70 granted patents. He is a senior member of IEEE, member of the German Physical Society,
the Swiss Physical Society, and the Materials Research Society.
Prior to his professional career, Dr. Riess was an internationally ranked judoka. In 1979, he won the bronze medal at the European Judo Championship in Brescia, Italy.