REU site: semiconductor electronics and photonics at university of dayton

The National Science Foundation Division of Materials Research awarded the University of Dayton $261,522 on July 15, 2026, under the Mathematical and Physical Sciences program (CFDA 47.049) to operate a Research Experiences for Undergraduates (REU) site in semiconductor electronics and photonics.

The REU program provides a 10-week immersive research experience for undergraduate students from across the United States in semiconductor materials, electronic and photonic devices, and manufacturing. Participants conduct hands-on research in phase change materials for reconfigurable devices, semiconductor light-absorbing nanocrystals, optical techniques for nanofabrication, additive manufacturing for novel packaging, photonic integrated circuits for chemical and biological sensing, ferroelectric materials for non-volatile memory, and laser direct writing of semiconductor devices. Students gain practical device fabrication and testing experience at UD Nanofab and attend workshops delivered by technical experts from the semiconductor industry and academic faculty. The program aims to develop a workforce trained in semiconductor manufacturing for healthcare, environmental, consumer applications, and national defense; deepen participants' scientific and engineering knowledge; build skills for graduate school or industry careers; and create personal and professional networks through faculty mentorship.

Performance occurs in Dayton, Ohio, with a period of performance from July 15, 2026, through June 30, 2029.

Abstract

Part 1: non-technical summary the REU program at university of dayton (UD) will provide an immersive 10-week experience for undergraduate students from across the US to perform research and receive training in semiconductor materials, electronic and photonic devices, and manufacturing. UD will promote its REU goals (1) to produce a workforce of semiconductor trained undergraduates, (2) promote participants? Scientific and engineering knowledge and understanding of semiconductor materials, devices, and manufacturing processes, (3) increase participants? Scientific and professional skills preparing them for graduate school or careers in the semiconductor industry, (4) help participants create personal and professional networks, and (5) provide focused research mentorship under UD faculty. The REU will include workshops by technical experts from the semiconductor industry and academic faculty, and hands-on device fabrication at UD nanofab. The program will expand the US stem workforce in the critical area of semiconductor chip manufacturing for healthcare, environmental and consumer applications, and for national defense. Part 2: technical summary in this REU program at university of dayton (UD), undergraduate students will participate in semiconductor materials and device research, and hands-on semiconductor device fabrication and testing experience for applications in electronics, optics, and photonics. Undergraduates will conduct research in areas such as phase change materials for reconfigurable devices, semiconductor light-absorbing nanocrystals, optical techniques for nanofabrication, additive manufacturing for novel packaging, photonic integrated circuits for chemical and biological sensing, ferroelectric materials for photonic and electronic non-volatile memory, and laser direct writing of semiconductor devices. REU participants will attend workshops on semiconductor manufacturing followed by hands-on training in chip manufacturing methods such as photolithography, lift-off, deposition and etching, and training on electrical testing of fabricated devices. Weekly seminars by technical experts and talent recruitment professionals from the semiconductor industry will supplement academic talks by UD faculty. Undergraduates will receive professional development training on ethics in research, technical writing and oral presentation skills, graduate school applications and fellowships, professional society networking, and entrepreneurship. By leveraging existing partnerships, we will recruit stem undergraduates from across the US into the program. This will serve to attract students to the physics and engineering community and contribute to developing a skilled workforce for the US semiconductor industry. UD research is also performed in collaboration with air force research lab, located few miles from UD; the REU will help indirectly support DOD-related research. Undergraduate students will deliver oral and poster presentations of their semiconductor research at the UD annual summer research symposium and the annual SRC symposium. This site is supported by the department of defense in partnership with the NSF REU program. This award reflects NSF's statutory mission and has been deemed worthy of support through evaluation using the foundation's intellectual merit and broader impacts review criteria.- subawards are not planned for this award.