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Welcome to Micro/Nanoelectronics and Energy Laboratory (MNEL)!

Research interests:

  1. Nonvolatile memory and artificial synaptic devices for neuromorphic computing systems
  2. MEMS/NEMS for sensing and actuation in chemical, biomedical and harsh environments
  3. Microneedles for transdermal drug delivery, implantable neural interface devices for brain-machine interfaces (BMI)
  4. Clean energy, renewable energy, photovoltaic, solar cells
  5. Wide bandgap semiconductors (SiC, GaN and Ga2O3) high voltage/power and high frequency devices
  6. Surface plasmon resonance (SPR) chemical and bio sensors

We are grateful to our project sponsors for their supports of our research.

(1) Nonvolatile memory and artificial synaptic devices for neuromorphic computing systems

Supported by NSF

 

ReRAMs are promising candidate for next-generation nonvolatile memories. Bioorganic materials based ReRAMs with inherent biodegradable and biocompatible properties represent an important step toward the realization of green and sustainable electronics. We are investigating the capability of such devices for the emulation of an artificial synapse for next-generation neuromorphic computing systems, with potential to replace traditional energy-inefficient computers based on the von Neumann architecture.

NSF Research News: Engineers use honey to make brain-like computer chips

Oregon Public Broadcasting (OPB) “All Science. No Fiction”: At a WSU Vancouver lab, researchers test a sweet solution to faster, cleaner computers (Youtube: Could honey be the secret to greener computing? | All Science. No Fiction.)

AIP Scilight article: Fructose film tested as a natural, nonvolatile resistive switching layer

Applied Physics Letters featured article: Nonvolatile resistive switching memory based on monosaccharide fructose film

WSU Insider: Honey holds potential for making brain-like computer chips

MSN: Using honey to make brain-like computer chips? WSU says it’s possible

The Columbian: WSU Vancouver professor, team research using honey to make advanced computer chips

 

(2) MEMS/NEMS for sensing and actuation in chemical, biomedical and harsh environments

Supported by NSF

 

Single crystalline 4H-SiC microelectromechanical and nanoelectromechanical systems (MEMS/NEMS) are mechanically robust, chemically inert, electrically stable and biocompatible, desirable for operation in harsh environments such as high temperature, high pressure, radiation, chemical, corrosion, biomedical, ……

However, due to the extreme chemical resistance, undercut SiC to release suspended structures by conventional wet chemical etching is not possible.  We have developed a novel dopant-selective photoelectrochemical etching (PEC) process to solve this challenge.  Some structures are shown here:

 

(3) Microneedles for transdermal drug delivery and implantable neural interface devices for brain-machine interfaces (BMI)

Supported by NIH, industry, and WSU Vancouver

 

We are developing microneedles for transdermal drug delivery.  The videos below show insertion tests of Si in-plane microneedles on raw chicken. We are also developing implantable neural interface devices for brain-machine interfaces.

(4) Clean energy, renewable energy, photovoltaic, solar cells

Supported by WSU (Commercialization Gap Fund)

 

Currently we are developing a novel technology to significantly improve conversion efficiency of metal-oxide solar cell.

 

(5) Wide bandgap semiconductors (SiC, GaN and Ga2O3) high voltage/power and high frequency devices

Supported by DoD, industry, WSU Vancouver

 

1. SiC, GaN and Ga2O3 high voltage/power devices for power electronics and power ICs

Applications:

  • Switch mode power supplies
  • Compact DC-DC converters
  • AC motor drives
  • Battery chargers
  • Uninterruptible power supply (UPS)

2. SiC and GaN high frequency transistors for RF and microwave

Applications:

  • Radar
  • Radio communications
  • Test instrumentation
  • Amplifiers
  • Jammers
  • Base station

(6) Surface plasmon resonance (SPR) chemical and bio sensors

We are developing lab-on-a-chip SPR waveguide chemical and bio sensors with ultrahigh sensitivity for sensing in water and other aqueous medium.