Liang Dong, Vikram Dalal Professor in Electrical and Computer Engineering was named the director of the Microelectronics Research Center (MRC) in 2022.
The MRC is a multi-disciplinary center focusing on the study of semiconductor materials, devices, and applications. The research conducted at the MRC includes microelectronics, photonics, compound semiconductors, nanomaterials, sensors, and microelectromechanical systems. The Center is utilized by research groups across the campus, industry specialists, and students.
“The Center provides our students with ampler opportunities for fabricating micro- and nanodevices. Our researchers have full access to a range of tools. The fabrication and characterization capacity we have is the foundation that our academic and industry communities need to innovate and scale in the micro- and nano-world,” Dong said, “The Center also provides an environment that fosters innovation and collaboration between researchers. We are working towards integrating expertise and strengths to initiate and develop new research activities and to succeed.”
One of Dong’s core research areas is in sensors. He has developed a suite of agricultural sensors to detect plant diseases, monitor their health status, and quantify water and fertilizer use efficiencies of crops.
These devices are just some examples of research that utilizes the MRC, which houses a lot of state-of-the-art equipment to use. This includes a 3D-nano-printer. This printer, worth more than half a million dollars, can print fine structures of less than one hundredth the size of human hair. This piece of equipment has a wide array of applications in low-cost sensors, micro-optics, and smart nanomaterials and devices.
Guan serves as the Cyber Forensic Coordinator for the Center for Statistic and Applications in Forensic Evidence (CSAFE). It was through CSAFE that Guan and his team developed EviHunter. This software can analyze a smart phone’s apps for evidence relating to a crime, and it is automatic and can speed up the investigation process by shortening the time to only 20-30 minutes per device.
This past summer Adam Eichhorn, who just started his senior year in Materials Science and Engineering (MSE), was able to visit Japan as a part of a Research Experience for Undergraduates (REU) where he was able to gain valuable research experience before he moves on to graduate school.
Starting this fall, Cheng Wang is a new professor for the Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering (ECpE). Wang brings extensive experience and research to the department. The following Q and A is a chance to get to know Wang as the semester begins.
NASA has selected five different ground-based proposals to investigate important problems using existing data from the Physical Sciences Informatics System and Materials Science and Engineering (MSE) assistant professor Sid Pathak’s proposal was one of those chosen.
A new cybersecurity faculty fellows program has been created within the College of Engineering to equip students with cybersecurity concepts. An inaugural cohort of nine engineering faculty members spans across several departments in the college.
“The benefit of an engineering education is that, in addition to the specific subject matter, you learn the habits of self-study that will carry you through your career. In engineering you are always having to learn new material along the way, which is a very valuable skill,” said Stephen Mosher (’70 elec engr).
In August, new assistant professor Boyce Chang joined the faculty in the department of Materials Science and Engineering (MSE). Chang brings extensive experience and research to the department.
Starting in the fall, Lin Zhou will be a new professor for Material Sciences and Engineering. Lin brings years of experience and research to the MSE department.
Starting this fall, Mohammad Tayeb Al Qaseer, currently a research associate professor, will move into the appointment of a tenure-track associate professor for the Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering (ECpE). Al Qaseer brings extensive experience and research to the department.
Starting in the fall, Alina Kirillova will be a new professor for Material Sciences and Engineering (MSE). Alina brings extensive experience and research to the department.
The Agriculture and Solar Together: Research Opportunities (ASTRO) advisory group members come from across the United States and represent leading solar industry partners, state agencies, and other organizations focused on research, food and agricultural, and the environment.
Anna Case, a Ph.D. candidate in the Electrical and Computer Engineering (ECpE) Department who conducts her research at CNDE, received the Student Best paper Award – Runner Up (2nd Place) at the IEEE International Instrumentation and Measurement Technology Conference (I2MTC) held in Ottawa, Canada on May 16-19, 2022.
Farzaneh Ahmadi, a Ph.D. candidate in the Electrical and Computer Engineering (ECpE) Department who conducts her research at CNDE, received the Student Best paper Award – Runner Up (2nd Place) at the American Society for Nondestructive Testing (ASNT) Research Symposium held in St. Louis, MO on June 20-23, 2022.
New MSE faculty member Qi An will join the staff this fall.
