Introduction
The Rochester Institute of Technology (RIT) has been awarded close to $3 million by the National Science Foundation (NSF) to advance research and training in semiconductor technologies.
This significant grant is aimed at addressing the growing need for skilled professionals in the semiconductor industry and bridging the talent gap through enhanced graduate education.
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Key Takeaways
- Significant Funding: RIT has secured nearly $3 million from the NSF for semiconductor education and research.
- Comprehensive Training: The grant will fund 20 doctoral fellowships and focus on CMOS+X technologies, including AI and quantum computing.
- Interdisciplinary Approach: Training will cover four main areas: material innovation, micro- and nanoelectronics, optoelectronics and photonics, and integrated circuits and packaging.
- Program Impact: The initiative aims to train over 170 students, addressing the semiconductor workforce gap and advancing technology leadership.
- Collaborative Efforts: RIT will work with industry, government, and academic partners to build a strong educational and research ecosystem.
- Talent Development: The program targets the shortage of skilled professionals and aims to prepare the next generation of semiconductor experts.
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Funding to Boost Semiconductor Research and Training
The NSF grant, part of the Research Traineeship Program (NRT), will fund RIT’s initiative titled “Convergent Graduate Research Training in CMOS + X Semiconductor Technologies.”
This initiative will equip master’s and doctoral students with the interdisciplinary skills needed for the rapidly evolving semiconductor field.
The funding will support 20 doctoral fellowships and focus on preparing students for critical roles in semiconductor chip development.
Enhancing Graduate Education in Semiconductor Technologies
The grant will enable RIT to offer nearly $3 million comprehensive training opportunities in next-generation CMOS+X technologies. The “X” in CMOS+X includes advanced fields like AI, biomedical applications, chemical processes, optoelectronics, photonics, nanoelectronics, quantum computing, and packaging.
This approach aims to address skill shortages in semiconductor technology. It focuses on gaps in materials, device characterization, manufacturing, and simulation.
Jing Zhang, the principal investigator, emphasizes the program’s impact.
“Our program will be among the first to offer a graduate education model with strong technical, professional, and DEI elements,”.
Zhang said.
We aim to train over 170 future semiconductor engineers and scientists. This will help close the workforce gap and boost the nation’s semiconductor leadership,”
Zhang, an associate professor at RIT’s Kate Gleason College of Engineering, is an expert in optoelectronic and nanoelectronic devices. She has made significant advancements in wide bandgap semiconductors.
Strategic Focus Areas for Research and Development
Over the five-year duration of the project, RIT will focus on four main research tracks:
- Material Innovation: Advancing new materials to improve semiconductor performance and capabilities.
- Micro- and Nanoelectronics: Developing technologies at the micro and nano scale to enhance chip functionality and efficiency.
- Optoelectronics and Photonics: Exploring light-based technologies and their integration into semiconductor devices.
- Integrated Circuits, Systems, and Packaging: Improving the design and packaging of semiconductor systems to meet the needs of high-performance and quantum computing applications.
These research tracks are designed to address key challenges in semiconductor technologies and have broad applications in fields such as AI, vehicle electrification, and high-performance computing.
Impact on RIT’s Graduate Programs
The NRT grant will transform RIT’s graduate programs. Seth Hubbard, co-principal investigator and director of NanoPower Research Laboratories, emphasized the grant’s significance.
“This is game-changing for our Ph.D. programs in semiconductor technology. It will help us recruit top-level graduate students with these fellowships. This initiative will boost growth in student enrollment and faculty development.”
Hubbard, who also leads the new physics Ph.D. program, expects the grant to enhance RIT’s research capabilities. It will attract high-caliber students to its semiconductor research programs.
Collaborative Efforts to Advance Semiconductor Education
The NSF grant will enable strategic collaborations between RIT and various industry partners, government agencies, and academic institutions.
These partnerships are intended to address workforce development needs and build institutional capacity in graduate education.
The project will involve a multidisciplinary team of RIT faculty and researchers, including Stefan Preble, Karl Hirschman, Parsian Mohseni, Ke Xu, Santosh Kurinec, Ivan Puchades, and Tejasvi Das.
The collaborative approach aims to create a robust educational ecosystem that integrates research with practical industry applications.
The involvement of faculty from RIT’s Kate Gleason College of Engineering, the College of Science, the Golisano Institute for Sustainability, and the National Technical Institute for the Deaf underscores the interdisciplinary nature of the project.
Addressing the Semiconductor Talent Shortage
The semiconductor industry faces a severe talent shortage. Rapid technological advancements and rising demand for complex devices are key drivers. RIT’s initiative aims to develop a new generation of experts.
By investing in graduate education and research, RIT hopes to address these challenges. The grant supports national efforts to strengthen the semiconductor workforce.
It ensures the U.S. stays at the forefront of research and development. As the industry evolves, RIT’s program will help prepare future semiconductor professionals.
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Conclusion
The nearly $3 million NSF grant to RIT represents a significant investment in addressing the critical talent shortage in the semiconductor industry.
By supporting comprehensive training across advanced technologies and fostering interdisciplinary research, the initiative is set to make a substantial impact.
It will not only enhance graduate education but also contribute to closing the workforce gap, thereby strengthening the nation’s leadership in semiconductor technology.
As the industry continues to evolve, RIT’s program will play a crucial role in preparing future experts and driving innovation.
