Research

The four key thrusts of research are: (a) renewable energy materials (b) heterogeneous integration and advanced semiconductor packaging (c) in-situ and in-operando testing and characterization (d) materials sustainability. A few example projects are included in each research thrust.

   Renewable Energy

  • Metastability and long-term degradation of halide perovskite and chalcogenide thin-film PV.​
  • Wide bandgap p-type materials for tandem and bifacial solar cells
  • Development of stable and sustainable Pb-free halide perovskites and chalcogenide for PV and PEC applications.
  • 1D/2D/3D halide Pb-free perovskite heterostructures PEC devices for H2 production
     

  Semiconductor Packaging

  • High lifetime electrical contacts for 2D semiconductors for BEOL integration.
  • Electro-thermo-mechanical reliability of embedded contacts and interconnects.
  • Novel materials and package architectures for electro-thermo-mechanical reliability of high temperature sensors and electronics.
  • Reliable and fine pitch on-chip and off-chip interconnects.
  • Reliability of thermal interface materials in immersion cooling systems.
  • Reliability of Pb-free high temperature solders.

  In-situ Accelerated Stress Testing

  • Application of in-situ and in-operando characterization methods to identify degradation modes and understand the underlying degradation mechanisms.
  • Metastability and degradation in thin-film PV.

  Materials Sustainability

  • Recovery of critical metals/non-metals/semiconductors through sustainable extraction methods.

  Workforce Development:

  • Identify technology growth vectors in Advanced Semiconductor Packaging, and develop opportunities for student training programs.