Subthreshold Innovation at Ambiq with Scott Hanson

Scott Hanson is founder and CTO of Ambiq , a pioneer in ultra-low-power semiconductor design based in Austin, Texas. He joins Chris to discuss tech transfer from his PhD research at the University of Michigan , sub-threshold and near-threshold transistor operation, building relationships with foundries like TSMC , and how Ambiq is leveraging edge AI, neural codecs, and scalable hardware architectures to redefine energy efficiency in embedded electronics. Timeline Chris welcomes Scott Hanson , founder and CTO of Ambiq , to discuss low-power microcontroller design and the origins of Ambiq from his PhD research at the University of Michigan . (00:00:15) Scott describes the mid-2000s research into “ smart dust ”_building cubic-millimeter computers with integrated sensors, microcontrollers, radios, and batteries operating under nanowatt and picojoule energy constraints. (00:00:45) Chris and Scott discuss Dust Networks (spun out of UC Berkeley and later acquired by Linear Technology) and trace sub-threshold and near-threshold circuit roots back to 1970s wristwatch development. (00:01:45) Scott explains how sub-threshold design runs transistors at voltages far below standard textbook levels, serving as the foundational precursor to modern IOT and edge AI . (00:02:45) Scott contrasts university cleanroom fabbing at Michigan—where rapid shuttle runs with foundries like IBM and TSMC prioritize room-temperature prototypes—against commercial volume manufacturing. (00:03:30) Chris recalls the MEMS facility at Case Western Reserve University , noting how process node geometry scaling naturally drops operation and threshold voltages. (00:04:45) Scott breaks down how FinFET transistors provided a step-function improvement with near-ideal sub-threshold slope, allowing lower threshold and supply voltage operation despite voltage scaling saturation at advanced nodes. (00:06:00) Scott shares research results from Michigan showing experimental sub-threshold circuits operation down to 0.1V and even 65 mV under ideal laboratory conditions. (00:07:45) Scott recounts the pivotal moment riding an elevator when he decided to execute tech transfer from his PhD research into a startup rather than following traditional academic or corporate research paths. (00:08:45) Scott describes securing state and federal research grants to fund commercialization while serving a one-year postdoc to determine whether to build medical devices, IP licensing, or standalone chips. (00:10:15) Scott recalls starting Ambiq in 2010 during a venture capital low point for semiconductor startups following the 2008 financial crisis and Wi-Fi startup fatigue. (00:12:15) Scott reflects on initially pitching processors that would lag Moore’s law to save capital, before realizing that competing required keeping pace with advanced process nodes. (00:14:00) Scott explains choosing Austin for Ambiq’s headquarters due to lower operating costs and a rich local semiconductor talent pool, while Chris mentions working in Samsung ’s Austin fab from 2006 to 2008. (00:15:45) Sco