What area of research does your lab focus on?
Our lab focuses on two-dimensional (2D) materials and nanoscale devices, developing next-generation electronic, optoelectronic, and neuromorphic hardware for energy-efficient computing, intelligent sensing, and advanced three-dimensional (3D) system integration.
How does the interdisciplinary aspect of your research enhance your work and add value to it?
The interdisciplinary nature of our work is a major strength because modern electronic-device research demands an end-to-end skill set—from materials synthesis and physics to nanofabrication and multi-modal characterization, to circuit/system design and real-world applications. Our group reflects this breadth, with students spanning physics, mechanical engineering, electrical engineering, and computer science which lets us connect fundamental mechanisms to manufacturable device platforms and scalable technologies.
This approach is further amplified through collaborations beyond Penn State. We actively work with partners across U.S. and international universities, national laboratories, and industry, enabling us to combine complementary expertise, access specialized tools and facilities, and bring diverse perspectives that accelerate both fundamental discovery and technology translation.
How does your lab enhance your student's education? Are there any ways that someone might find surprising?
Our lab enhances students’ education through hands-on skill development in semiconductor research, with extensive training on advanced nanofabrication and characterization tools and exposure to a diverse set of electronic, optical, and functional materials. Students work in team-based, collaborative projects that reflect real-world semiconductor R&D, building strong technical foundations alongside teamwork, communication, and problem-solving skills that prepare them for careers in academia, industry, and national laboratories.
From the Students
How has the experience working in this lab helped with your education?
Working in this lab has been a major part of my education because it turns what we learn in classes into real semiconductor R&D experience. I’ve gained practical training on nanofabrication and characterization tools, learned how to troubleshoot experiments when things don’t work the first time, and developed confidence working with multiple material systems rather than a single platform.
A few examples: contributing to a project that required cleanroom processing and device measurements, coordinating tasks within a team so fabrication, testing, and analysis stay aligned, and sharing results through papers and conference presentations. Overall, it has built both my technical depth and my ability to collaborate and communicate like a professional researcher.
How do you engage with industry, and create connections and collaborations? What are the benefits for both sides - your research and for the company?
We engage with industry through collaborative research projects, joint publications, student internships, sponsored research, and regular technical exchanges. These partnerships help align our fundamental and applied research with real-world challenges, while giving companies early access to emerging ideas, trained talent, and proof-of-concept technologies. For our students, industry engagement provides exposure to practical constraints and career pathways; for companies, it accelerates innovation by leveraging cutting-edge academic research, advanced tools, and a pipeline of highly skilled semiconductor researchers.
