I am delighted to announce my promotion to Full Professor at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, IL, USA. I am deeply grateful for the opportunity to collaborate with exceptional colleagues, students, and staff. These partnerships, both on and off campus, are instrumental in driving the research, education, and service vision of the Innovative Compound Semiconductor Laboratory (ICORLAB).
Our research over the past decade has yielded significant advancements, such as:
- Cubic green light-emitting diodes: Recognizing that lighting consumes 15% of global electricity and contributes to a 43% increase in health risks, ICORLAB is developing cubic green light-emitting diodes as a sustainable and healthy alternative to address the energy and health crisis caused by artificial light.
- Diamond as a power semiconductor: Addressing the significant impact of power outages, costing the US $150 billion annually with weather-related disruptions affecting an average of half a million Americans daily, ICORLAB is developing diamond-based photoconductive semiconductor switches with megawatt power and nanosecond switching to enhance the resilience of the US electric grid.
In education, we have initiated:
- Higher Educational Initiative in Semiconductors (HIVE): In collaboration with Stanford and Rose-Hulman, HIVE prepares the next-generation workforce in semiconductors and microelectronics through online and hands-on experiential learning, aiming to maintain US technological leadership.
- LEDs and Solar Cells Class: This course provides a comprehensive understanding of energy conversion devices, from fundamental principles to system-level considerations. Through lectures, Technology Computer-Aided Design (TCAD) computer labs, and hands-on cleanroom labs, students learn modern device design and analysis for light-emitting diodes and solar cells.
Our service contributions include:
- Academic Redshirt in Science and Engineering (ARISE): Addressing the resource gap for high-potential, low-income students preparing for college, the ARISE program offers essential support and mentorship. Our engagement with ARISE students is carefully monitored and evaluated to ensure its effectiveness.
- Leadership: My leadership and service contributions include serving as the Chair of the IEEE EDS Optoelectronic Devices Technical Committee, Guest Editor for the IEEE Nanotechnology Magazine, and Associate Editor for the IEEE Transactions on Electron Devices. I also contribute as a reviewer for US, European, and Asian funding agencies and as a nominator and referee for (inter)national awards.
I extend my sincere gratitude to our collaborators, partners, volunteers, funding agencies, companies, and foundations for their invaluable support.
For more details, please browse our ICORLAB website: icorlab.ece.illinois.edu.