faculty

My group studies the fabrication of semiconductor devices. We study the relationship between material properties and electrical behavior to solve problems associated with doping, contacts, defects, and interfaces. We also develop novel process steps to understand and mitigate performance-limiting issues such as thermal management and reliability in order to advance the next generation of semiconductors to realize the full potential promised by the advanced material properties. Our work focuses on wide-bandgap materials (SiC, GaN) and ultrawide bandgap materials (Ga₂O₃, AlN, diamond) and associated materials for application in extreme environments or heterogeneously integrated systems.

Semiconductor device fabrication represents a key application of Chemical Engineering knowledge. The many steps involved in even a simple transistor process sequence include materials growth and film deposition, doping and etching, photolithography, thermal management, and steady-state operation of a foundry. Research focuses on state-of-the-art semiconductor material growth, processing, and test facilities targeted toward addressing the fabrication challenges associated with next-generation semiconductors. The fielding of advanced highly integrated semiconductor modules will have far-reaching applications such as data centers, motor drives, solid-state lighting, hybrid/electric vehicle technology, wind turbines, grid-scale power distribution, high performance computing, and edge systems.

Education and Background

U.S. Naval Research Laboratory, 2009-2024
ASEE Postdoctoral Fellow, 2008-2009
Ph.D., University of Florida, 2008
B.S., Georgia Institute of Technology, 2004

Awards

Electronics and Photonics Division Award, Electrochemical Society, 2024
NRL Technology Transfer Award, 2023
NRL Edison Award, 2023 and 2014
Dr. Delores Etter Top Navy Scientist Award, 2016
IEEE Senior Member, 2013