Electronics

Latest Innovations
Nanophotonic non-reciprocal circuit Dr. Gaurav Bahl from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign has developed a nanophotonic non-reciprocal circuit. The invention allows light to travel only in one... Read More Dr. Gaurav Bahl from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign has developed a nanophotonic non-reciprocal circuit. The invention allows light to travel only in one direction and has great application potential in atomic clocks, gravimetry and optical isolators. This is the first time that any circuit that has been able to operate in the GHz region.
Flat panel display with increased clarity Dr. Paul Braun from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign has developed a new design architecture for backlit LCDs.... Read More Dr. Paul Braun from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign has developed a new design architecture for backlit LCDs.
Magnetically Responsive Micro-structured Surfaces Dr. Seok Kim from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign has developed a versatile surface material that will serve as a general-purpose platform for fluid and... Read More Dr. Seok Kim from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign has developed a versatile surface material that will serve as a general-purpose platform for fluid and light manipulations for micro and macroscale. Potential applications include: digital microfluidics, biomedical devices, virtual blinds, camouflage surfaces, and micromirror arrays. Compared to similar surfaces, this responsive surface consists of micropillars integrated with large area platelets, which increases the areal fraction of opaque regions on the surface and increases the tuning range of transmittance. It does not require heating to create a vapor layer, and allows the use of soft, ferromagnetic micropillars and offers a more efficient assembly process than prior works. Lastly, it allowed control over the final configuration of the platelets, either in-plane or out-of-plane configurations, for the very first time.
Volumetric Optical Integrated Circuit Elements (V.O.I.C.E.) This technology enables the fabrication of multiple plans of interconnected passive photonic devices with the volume of a silicon wafer. The fabrication technique uses... Read More This technology enables the fabrication of multiple plans of interconnected passive photonic devices with the volume of a silicon wafer. The fabrication technique uses porous silicon as a scaffold for photoresist in a direct laser write process to make graded index (GRIN) optics and photonic elements. This technology has the potential to dramatically improve the speed, density, and energy efficiency in applications like telecommunications, computing, data storage and transfer and consumer electronics.
SU-8 3D structure using micro-Lego assembly Dr. Kim from the University of IL has developed a technique of SU-8 ink assembly based on micro-Lego process. It enables re-entrant 3D structure in a more efficient way... Read More Dr. Kim from the University of IL has developed a technique of SU-8 ink assembly based on micro-Lego process. It enables re-entrant 3D structure in a more efficient way and can fabricate devices such as SU-8 cantilever and tunable wettability surface.
Low Quantum Defect Fiber Lasers via Yb-Doped Multicomponent Fluorosilicate Optical Fiber Dr. Dragic from the University of IL has developed a low-quantum defect fiber-based laser. This invention assists with the management of... Read More Dr. Dragic from the University of IL has developed a low-quantum defect fiber-based laser. This invention assists with the management of thermal energy (quantum defect heating) which can lead to failure of an optical fiber when power scaling fiber-based lasers. A Yb-doped multicomponent flurosilicate optical fiber reduces quantum defect heating in the fiber-based laser. Fiber-based lasers have applications in the automotive, medical, and electronics industries.
Frequency Independent Framework for Synthesis of Programmable Non-reciprocal Network Dr. Songbin Gong and his group from the University of Illinois have developed a framework for synthesizing frequency-independent multi-port nonreciprocal networks. The... Read More Dr. Songbin Gong and his group from the University of Illinois have developed a framework for synthesizing frequency-independent multi-port nonreciprocal networks. The framework is highly expandable, can have an arbitrary number of ports while simultaneously sustaining balanced performance, and provide unprecedented programmability of non-reciprocity. Unlike the conventional approaches, non-reciprocal performance of the network is only dependent of the time delays, instead of phase delays, and therefore is frequency independent. This technology could inspire new ways of implementing multiple input multiple output (MIMO) communication systems. 4-port switch module prototype
Graphene Classifier This technology is a classifier based on a ferroelectric graphene transistor. In contrast to traditional current-mode classifiers based on CMOS technologies (which require... Read More This technology is a classifier based on a ferroelectric graphene transistor. In contrast to traditional current-mode classifiers based on CMOS technologies (which require 23 transistors per pixel), this classifier requires only one transistor per pixel. The device provides a new solution for image recognition with reduced circuit complexity, enhanced energy efficiency, and faster processing speed. Applications include signal or image processing and recognition.
Mechanically Robust Flexible Metal Conductors by the Integration of Multilayer Graphene Dr. Nam from the University of IL has developed flexible metal conductor that incorporates an interfacial layer of graphene. Adding a layer of... Read More Dr. Nam from the University of IL has developed flexible metal conductor that incorporates an interfacial layer of graphene. Adding a layer of graphene to the metal conductor enhances the failure strain of the electrode by 300% or more. This invention enhances the mechanical robustness and prevents abrupt electrical performance failure at large strains. Additionally, this invention allows for predictive failure for electrical devices based on measured electrical resistance. The invention has potential applications in flexible electronics. The invention also has potential application in predicative failure for electrical cables.
Solid State Drive Augmented Data Processing and Storage Dr. Kim from the University of IL has developed a special driver that creates an illusion of the existence of an Ethernet interface between the host- and SSD-side... Read More Dr. Kim from the University of IL has developed a special driver that creates an illusion of the existence of an Ethernet interface between the host- and SSD-side processors which does not require any changes in the OS network creating a virtual Ethernet interface for each SSD connected to the host-side processor over PCI interfaces. The proposed architecture taps into SSD computing capabilities mitigating system I/O bus bottlenecks. This application can be used for data intensive applications across industries.