Intel and Micron have developed first NAND flash memory chip based on 20 nanometer (nm) process technology. By using 20nm process technology Intel was able to decrease the size of the chip by about 40 percent, while improving data transfer rate. According to Intel, the 20nm memory will also be cheaper because it can produce 50% more gigabytes of storage for the same price as today’s 25nm chip.

Intel will be making 8GB and 16GB 20nm NAND Flash chips which will be aimed at movie devices like smartphones because of the small size. A layered package of 16GB chips with 8 chips stacked would create a 128GB chip that will be smaller than US postage stamp (same size as 32GB NAND chip in iPhone 4). As each 16GB chip is less than 0.30 inches squared in size and the 8GB chips are even smaller at just 0.18 inches squared.

Intel has already started sampling 8GB 20nm chips and would start mass production in second half of this year. Sampling and mass production of 16GB chip will also start in second half of this year.