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As AI data centers consume an ever-increasing amount of RAM chips, researchers are looking for cheaper, more scalable alternativesimec research seen by many to be the answer, even as engineering challenges continue to existTwo published studies using ferroelectric materials show capacitors essentially able to replicate modern DRAM functionalityIt is no secret that AI has affected much of the world, with many welcoming the advent of a "smart" digital assistant, with others using it to speed up the more mundane tasks that previously required oversight.On the flip side of the equation, some finding their jobs redundant, others being forced to upskill or pivot to different industries just to eke out a living in 2026.There is however, one area which has been significantly impacted where the effect might have been understated so far: the PC hardware industry.DRAM for data centers firstThe reason the PC hardware industry (and, to a lesser degree, the smartphone and game console industries), or any industry that uses fast RAM and NAND flash for its core functionality, is affected is overwhelming demand in data centers.With billions of dollars in buildouts and procurement budgets, the average consumer is unlikely to compete for memory with a data center being built by hyperscalers and with good reason: there is simply too much money at stake here.The problem for data centers, however, is a different one: despite consuming nearly 70% of all memory produced in 2026, resulting in the worst memory supply crunch in the last 15 years, things are projected to only get worse, even as demand continues to grow unabated.With memory giant Micron telling consumers to wait till 2028 before they can expect any relief in their segment, and SSDs heading down the same path, thanks to a similar situation when it comes to high-density NAND flash-based storage, AI data centers are also looking for a memory breakthrough that could allow for cheaper, faster memory in the near future to better handle their needs.European chip research lab imec seems to be working on an answer, however. At the 2026 IEEE/JSAP symposium on VLSI Technology & Circuits, the event showcased two major advances that could enable new ferroelectric memory to become mainstream over the next decade, as it attempts to address the AI-centric memory shortage with a solution that better caters to data center consumers.At the heart of the current breakthroughs is a ferroelectric capacitor that operates at low voltage, enabling a large number of write cycles and holding charge well, making it a potentially viable replacement for traditional DRAM-based memory.The second is a transistor that they have managed to stack vertically, enabling a denser NAND-flash-style storage design while adding a back-gate modification to fix its memory-erasure issues.FeRAM is not a new concept; first conceived in 1952, it holds massive promise, even as most researchers concur. It had, until recently, limited interest, but a world spending billions on AI data centers, with memory and storage increasingly scarce resources, has brought it back to the forefront, even if most of its gains still keep it limited to lab conditions.“This work shows how imec’s multidisciplinary expertise, from materials science to advanced 3D integration, enables us to tackle some of the most pressing challenges in memory technology," noted program director at imec, Maarten Rosmeulen. "We are exploring multiple paths toward the memory solutions that will be required to sustain the rapid growth of AI and data-intensive applications."It must be noted that imec does not operate in a vacuum; It shares its research with hundreds of industry partners, including chip designer Nvidia, photolithography systems manufacturer ASML, and fab giant TSMC. Other industrial partners include Intel, Samsung, Micron, Qualcomm, AMD, and Apple, indicating that its research could eventually be integrated into future memory offerings by multiple interested entities, including other hyperscalers.Should imec's research solve the modern datacenter conundrum by offering a cheaper, denser memory module using different materials, it could very well spark a new AI-centric war for high-end storage and memory.But for now, it seems to require a considerable amount of time before it is production-ready, with imec admitting it was "addressing remaining challenges" while reminding interested parties that the entire breakthrough was still a proof of concept and still in the research stage.

South Africa vs South Korea Kick-Off time: Wednesday, June 24 | 9pm ET / 2am BST (Thu) / 11am AEST (Thu)Watch free on BBC iPlayer (UK) / SBS (AUS) / CazéTV's YouTube (Brazil)Unlock your free streams with Norton VPN (60-day money back guarantee)South Korea have shown why they’re one of Asia's most dangerous sides, crushing the Czech Republic in their opening World Cup 2026 match in Guadalajara and coming agonizingly close to a qualification-clinching result against co-hosts Mexico. If not for a late error from goalkeeper Kim Seung-gyu, the Taeguk Warriors would have been sitting at the top of the table.Hong Myung-bo's side can set things right with a win, or even a draw, over South Africa. A loss, however, would leave their qualification hopes dependent on the result of Czechia vs Mexico. For South Africa, meanwhile, only a victory will keep their campaign alive. Currently ranked 61st in the world, Bafana Bafana have had a disappointing tournament so far, losing 2-0 to Mexico before a 1-1 draw against Czechia, saved only by a late penalty.South Africa boss Hugo Broos will have to tweak his lineup as Teboho Mokoena – their only scorer of the tournament – is suspended after picking up his second yellow card against Czechia. However, Sphephelo Sithole is expected to return to the starting XI after serving his suspension following a red card in the opening game. South Korea, on the other hand, will once again rely on the likes of Son Heung-min, Lee Kang-in, and Hwang In-beom to extend their stay in North America.So, read on as we show you exactly how to watch South Africa vs South Korea for free from anywhere in the FIFA World Cup 2026.How to watch South Africa vs South Korea for freeSouth Africa vs South Korea is available to watch for free in multiple countries, including the UK, Australia, Brazil, Belgium, Ireland, Netherlands, Switzerland and Turkey.🇬🇧 UK: BBC iPlayer (English commentary)🇦🇺 Australia: SBS On Demand (English commentary)🇧🇷 Brazil: CazéTV's YouTube (no account required)🇧🇪 Belgium: RTBF / VRT🇮🇪 Ireland: RTÉ Player (English commentary)🇳🇱 Netherlands: NOS🇳🇿 New Zealand: TVNZ🇿🇦 South Africa: SABC🇰🇷 South Korea: KBS🇨🇭 Switzerland: SRF Play / RTS Play / RSI Play🇹🇷 Turkey: TRTAbroad? Can't access your free stream? Unblock your free World Cup stream with Norton VPN – more on that below.Use a VPN to watch South Africa vs South Korea live streams It’s the World Cup, and if you’re traveling, you might discover your usual South Africa vs South Korea stream is suddenly unavailable due to geo-restrictions.Don’t worry, that’s exactly where a VPN can help. A virtual private network lets you connect to servers around the world so you can securely access your usual World Cup coverage as if you were back home.We recommend Norton VPN. Here's why:▶︎ Norton VPN MEGA Deal — 60-day money back guaranteeWatch your free World Cup stream without limits. Norton VPN delivers fast, secure connections with global servers, so you can stream from anywhere with ease.💰 60-day money-back guarantee🔓 Unlocks World Cup streamsDon’t miss a second. Stream the World Cup from anywhere with total confidence.View DealHow to watch South Africa vs South Korea in the USUS viewers can watch South Africa vs South Korea on FS1 and Telemundo (Spanish comms).You can watch every World Cup game on Fox, FS1 and Telemundo, which are available on cord-cutters like YouTube TV (free trial), Hulu+Live TV, Sling (select markets), Fubo or DirecTV.Those looking for a streaming service instead can watch South Africa vs South Korea on Fox One (3-day free trial). Telemundo is available via Peacock as well.Visiting the US from the UK? You can still watch your World Cup stream for free thanks to Norton VPN (try for 60 days).How to watch South Africa vs South Korea in the UKUK customers are in luck as they can stream South Africa vs South Korea for free on BBC iPlayer. Live coverage is also available on the BBC One TV channel.You require a TV Licence and a valid UK postcode for an account (e.g. SE1 7PB).Norton VPN can unlock your stream if you're abroad today.How to watch South Africa vs South Korea in Australia(Image credit: free)South Africa vs South Korea will be shown for free in Australia on SBS On Demand.The streaming platform has every game of the tournament for free, making it the perfect place for your World Cup viewing.Traveling for work or on holiday? A VPN like Norton VPN can help unlock your free stream.How to watch South Africa vs South Korea in Canada(Image credit: Other)In Canada, TSN will be broadcasting South Africa vs South Korea.You can live stream via the TSN+ streaming platform, which costs CA$8 per month or CA$80 per year.Outside of Canada? Use Norton VPN whilst you're traveling away from home to unlock your stream.South Africa vs South Korea: Match InformationWhat time does South Africa vs South Korea start?South Africa vs South Korea kicks-off at 2am BST / 11am AEST on Thursday, June 25. That's 9pm ET on Wednesday, June 24 in the US.What are the squads for South Africa vs South Korea?South AfricaGoalkeepers: Ronwen Williams (Mamelodi Sundowns), Ricardo Goss (Siwelele), Sipho Chaine (Orlando Pirates)Defenders: Khuliso Mudau, Aubrey Modiba, Khulumani Ndamane (all Mamelodi Sundowns), Olwethu Makhanya (Philadelphia Union), Bradley Cross (Kaizer Chiefs), Thabang Matuludi (Polokwane City), Nkosinathi Sibisi, Kamogelo Sebelebele (both Orlando Pirates), Ime Okon (Hannover), Samukele Kabini (Molde FK), Mbekezeli Mbokazi (Chicago Fire)Midfielders: Teboho Mokoena, Jayden Adams (both Mamelodi Sundowns), Thalente Mbatha (Orlando Pirates)Forwards: Oswin Appollis, Tshepang Moremi, Evidence Makgopa, Relebohile Mofokeng (all Orlando Pirates), Lyle Foster (Burnley), Iqraam Rayners (Mamelodi Sundowns), Thapelo Maseko (AEL Limassol)South KoreaGoalkeepers: Jo Hyeon-woo (Ulsan), Kim Seung-gyu (FC Tokyo), Song Bum-keun (Jeonbuk)Defenders: Kim Moon-hwan (Daejeon), Kim Min-jae (Bayern Munich), Kim Tae-hyon (Kashima Antlers), Park Jin-seob (Zhejiang), Seol Young-woo (Red Star Belgrade), Jens Castrop (Borussia Monchengladbach), Lee Ki-hyuk (Gangwon), Lee Tae-seok (Austria Wien), Lee Han-beom (Midtjylland), Cho Wi-je (Jeonbuk)Midfielders: Kim Jin-gyu (Jeonbuk), Bae Jun-ho (Stoke City), Paik Seung-ho (Birmingham), Yang Hyun-jun (Celtic), Eom Ji-sung (Swansea), Lee Kang-in (Paris St-Germain), Lee Dong-gyeong (Ulsan), Lee Jae-sung (Mainz), Hwang In-beom (Feyenoord), Hwang Hee-chan (Wolves)Forwards: Son Heung-min (LAFC), Oh Hyeon-gyu (Besitkas), Cho Gue-sung (Midtjylland)Group A TablePositionTeamGDPoints1Mexico362South Korea033Czechia-114South Africa-21Can I watch South Africa vs South Korea on my mobile?Of course, most broadcasters have streaming services that you can access through mobile apps or via your phone's browser.You can also stay up-to-date with all of the key World Cup moments on the official social media channels on X/Twitter (@FIFAWorldCup), Instagram (@FIFAWorldCup), TikTok (@FIFAWorldCup) and YouTube (@FIFA).We test and review VPN services in the context of legal recreational uses. For example:1. Accessing a service from another country (subject to the terms and conditions of that service).2. Protecting your online security and strengthening your online privacy when abroad.We do not support or condone the illegal or malicious use of VPN services. Consuming pirated content that is paid-for is neither endorsed nor approved by Future Publishing.