Materials Science and Engineering

Electronic, Optical and Magnetic Materials

For any electronic device to operate well, electrical current must be efficiently controlled by switching devices, which becomes challenging as systems approach very small dimensions. This problem must be addressed by synthesizing materials that permit reliable turn-on and turn-off of current at any size scale. New electronic and photonic nanomaterials assure dramatic breakthroughs in communications, computing devices and solid-state lighting. Current research involves bulk crystal growth, organic semiconductors, thin film and nanostructure growth, and soft lithography. Several of the major photonics companies in the world views on different technologies and opinions about future challenges for manufacturers and integrators of lasers and photonics products.