Activities and Events

Our NRT training program will focus on a convergent research approach to address challenges in CMOS+X semiconductor technologies. Our trainees will pursue unique research opportunities mentored by interdisciplinary faculty team with expertise in fundamental physics, material epitaxial growth, electronic and optoelectronic device design and fabrication, as well as heterogeneous integration, circuits, systems, and packaging. Main CMOS+X research efforts will focus on four areas:
Track 1: Semiconductor Material Innovations [Leads: Prof. Hubbard and Prof. Mohseni]
Track 2: Semiconductor Micro- and Nano-electronics [Lead: Prof. Hirschman]
Track 3: Semiconductor Optoelectronics and Photonics [Lead: Prof. Zhang]
Track 4: Integrated Circuits, Systems, and Packaging [Lead: Prof. Preble]

Our  NRT core faculty members are PI's Jing Zhang, Seth Hubbard, Karl Hirschman, Parsian Mohseni, and Stefan Preble. All members meet with the NRT trainees in their tracks on a regular basis to provide feedback and mentoring. In addition, NRT trainees will be assigned a peer mentor from senior graduate students as a "safe" person to discuss all aspects of academic, financial and social life in graduate school and to help with guidance. Other workshops and journal clubs provide an excellent outlet for the team to build cohesiveness and comradery. 

In addition to mentoring, research support will be provided including materials and supplies, lab fees, etc.

Rigorous and personalized curriculum that allows trainees to explore cross-disciplinary areas will be provided to trainees. RIT has established strong semiconductor related curriculum from Microelectronic Engineering, Microsystems Engineering, and others. The trainees will be able to choose from those offerings and work with thesis advisor/s to tailor a personalized list. Here are some of the examples:
Courses related with materials:
MTSE-704 Theoretical Methods in Material Science and Engineering
MCSE-703 Materials Science for Microsystems Engineering
MTSE-601 Intro to Materials Science
MCEE-603 Thin Films
MTSE-617 Materials Degradation
MTSE-632 Solid State Science
MTSE-702 Polymer Science
MTSE-705 Experimental Techniques
MCSE-705 Epitaxial Crystal Growth and Thin Film Science
MCSE-707 Advanced Nanomaterials Characterization Methods
IMGS-724 Introduction to Electron Microscopy

Courses related with packaging:
MCSE-715 Photonic Integrated Circuits
RMET-645 Surface Mount Electronics Manufacturing
RMET-656 Advanced Concepts in Semiconductor Packaging

Courses related with modeling:
MCEE-602 Semiconductor Process Integration
MCEE-732 Microelectronics Manufacturing
MCEE-795 Microelectronics Research Methods
MCEE-770 Microelectromechanical Systems

Courses related with fabrication:
MCEE-601 Microelectronic Fabrication
MCEE-605 Lithography Materials and Processes
MCEE-704 Physical Modeling of Semiconductor Devices

In addition, trainees will have flexibility to enroll in courses on topics of project management and entrepreneurship from Saunders College of Business, and topics of sustainability from Golisano Institute for Sustainability. The final curriculum will be approved by trainee’s thesis advisor/s.

Funding for travel to conferences and professional development is available to CMOS+X trainees. 

Funding for national lab and industry internships is available to CMOS+X trainees.

Funding for travel to minority serving institutions is available to CMOS+X trainees.

CMOS+X trainees will have opportunities to teach short courses to develop teaching skills.

NRT trainees, both funded and unfunded, will have the opportunity to write a proposal to apply for a NRT seed grant (annual call) to support their research. Core faculty team will review and select winning proposals. Trainees receiving a seed grant will submit a report one year later, and present their results in the monthly research colloquia series.

The NRT CMOS+X Journal Club (JC) meets every first Thursday of the month from 12:30 PM to 1:30 PM in ENG 17-2560. Pizza and drinks are provided! This journal club allows trainees to present on subjects that are of interest to them and learn what fellow peers are studying. 

Past Journal Club Info:

April 13, 2025: This month's discussion was led by Venkatesh Deenadayalan on the published work, "Integrated lithium niobate electro-optic modulators operating at CMOS-compatible voltages," by Wang et al. published in Nature in Sept. 2018. doi: 10.1038/s41586-018-0551-y

March 6, 2025: This month's discussion was led by Eli Powell on the published work, "Transfer Printing by Kinetic Control of Adhesion to an Elastomeric Stamp" by Meitl et al. published in Nature Materials in Jan. 2006. doi. 10.1038/nmat1532.

February 6, 2025: This month's discussion was led by Sami Znati on the published work "Modified Si Oxidation Behavior by Ultrathin Ni Catalyst Enabling Oxidant-Less Metal-Assisted Chemical Etching" by Kyunghwan Kim et al published in Wiley in Nov. 2024.doi:10.1002/smll.202409091

December 5, 2024: This month's discussion was led by Elijah Sacchitella on the published work “Triple-junction solar cells with 39.5% terrestrial and 34.2% space efficiency enabled by thick quantum well superlattices” by France et al published in Cell Press in May. 2022. doi: 10.1016/j.joule.2022.04.024

November 7, 2024: This month's discussion was led by Jacob Boisvere on the published work “Special topic on Wide- and ultrawide-bandgap electronic semiconductor devices” by Würfl et al published in Applied Physics Letters in Aug. 2024. doi: 10.1063/5.0221783

Upcoming JC Dates: 

October 2, 2025: Topic TBD 

November 6, 2025: Topic TBD 

December 4, 2025: Topic TBD 

Students will have access to a series of professional skill development workshops throughout the program, including sessions on resume building, interview preparation, and other essential career readiness tools to support their professional growth. Workshops are offered in collaboration with RIT partners like the Graduate School and WE@RIT, along with exclusive sessions led by distinguished guest speakers specifically for CMOS+X NRT students.

Students will participate in essential skills workshops designed to enhance their effectiveness both academically and professionally, covering topics such as time management, communication, leadership, and problem-solving.

Seminars on CMOS+X topics will be offered to all trainees.

All CMOS+X trainees will contribute to database submissions.