Supriyo Datta, the Thomas Duncan Distinguished Professor in the Elmore Family School of Electrical and Computer Engineering

Supriyo Datta, the Thomas Duncan Distinguished Professor in the Elmore Family School of Electrical and Computer Engineering, has added a major feather to his professional cap. On April 30, he was elected to the National Academy of Sciences (NAS) in recognition of his distinguished and continuing achievements in original research.

Datta is credited with introducing spin-orbit coupling as a means to control electron spin with an electric field rather than a magnetic field. This relativistic effect is now widely used in spintronics and quantum computing. He is also well known for his innovative theoretical proposals that have inspired new fields of research, including molecular thermoelectricity, negative capacitance devices, and spintronics.

Datta's focus on current flow in nanoscale electronic devices led to the pioneering of a new approach—quantum transport modeling by combining the non-equilibrium Green's function (NEGF) formalism of many-body physics with the Landauer formalism from mesoscopic physics. This approach has been extensively adopted both in academic research and in computer-aided design tools by companies at the forefront of semiconductor technology. It also is used by quantum chemists working on molecular electronics.

"I appreciate the opportunity to work with outstanding students and colleagues who have helped me learn," Datta said. "For me, research and teaching are intertwined, and there seems to be lots of opportunity for both since semiconductors and chips are currently a national priority, and Purdue is emerging as a leader in this effort."

In addition to NAS, Datta also is a member of the National Academy of Engineering (NAE).

"It is a crowning achievement to be elected to either the NAS or the NAE, but to be a member of both academies is a testament to Professor Datta's excellence in original research and impact," said Arvind Raman, the John A. Edwardson Dean of the College of Engineering.

"To me, science emphasizes conceptual advances, while engineering emphasizes practical impact," Datta said. "Nanoelectronics involves both. Miniaturizing devices to nanometer dimensions requires new ways of thinking about current flow. At the same time, it has enabled chips with billions of transistors whose impact we all know."

Datta said he has greatly benefited from the Purdue environment and his involvement with nanoHUB, "the remarkable science portal created by my colleagues."

The author of several books and online courses, he has made his work accessible to a broad audience of engineers, physicists and chemists.

He has received multiple awards for both research and teaching from the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE) and from Purdue University. In addition, Sigma Xi awarded him the Procter Prize for his original contributions along with the ability to communicate across disciplines. Most recently in 2023, he received a University Research Award from the Semiconductor Industry Association and the Semiconductor Research Corporation.

NAS is a private, nonprofit institution that was established under a congressional charter signed by President Abraham Lincoln in 1863. It recognizes achievement in science by election to membership and—with the National Academy of Engineering and the National Academy of Medicine—provides science, engineering, and health policy advice to the federal government and other organizations.

Source: ECE’s Datta elected to the National Academy of Sciences