News
Microelectronic Engineering MS

RIT is building upon its successful history of semiconductor development and research through an expansion to its cleanroom facility with help from New York state.

Becoming the Silicon Valley of the Northeast may have as much power as the computer chips that will soon be designed and developed in the upstate New York region. The recent Chips 101 event, hosted by RIT on Nov. 16, kept to that premise. More than 50 regional government and corporate representatives learned how computer chips are designed and manufactured—and how universities, government, and workforce development initiatives will contribute to this area.

RIT microelectronic engineering Professor Santosh Kurinec was recently honored as the IEEE’s 2022 William Terry Distinguished Service awardee. Given to a member of the IEEE’s Northeast Region 1, the award highlights an individual’s dedication and service to the engineering profession.

WROC-TV talks to Robert Pearson, associate professor in the Department of Electrical and Microelectronic Engineering, about a bill to boost the semiconductor industry.

Supply chain disruptions and a strong demand for consumer electronics during the pandemic led to a global chip shortage. The shortage has highlighted the need to strengthen the domestic semiconductor industry and has put a new emphasis on microelectronic engineering education.

Research findings and signs of computer chip industry demands were the top subjects at the 40th Annual Microelectronic Engineering Conference April 8 at RIT. With indications of growth and novel functions being developed, there were also discussions of the pressing need for even more skilled workers in the field to sustain that expected growth.

WROC-TV talks to Sean Rommel, professor and director of the microelectronic engineering program, and Michael Jackson, associate professor in the Department of Electrical and Microelectronic Engineering, about semiconductors.

Intersections: The RIT Podcast, Ep. 51: Complex manufacturing processes of semiconductors and growing demands along the global supply chain for computer chips is impacting numerous industries. Robert Pearson, professor of microelectronic engineering, and Steven Carnovale, assistant professor of supply chain management, discuss how the semiconductor supply chain has been disrupted.

President Joe Biden recently called for more resources to bolster the computer chip industry to meet consumer and commercial demands. Lynn Fuller has done more than his share to provide assets for this important industry. Fuller established the first microelectronic engineering program in the country in 1982 at RIT, and today many program graduates lead efforts at the top microchip firms advising the president.

Analytical thinking, complex problem solving, creativity, resiliency, and flexibility are among the top skills needed for emerging careers by 2025. Anticipating these rapid changes in the workplace—further accelerated by lessons learned from the COVID-19 pandemic—RIT is seizing on the opportunity to guide students to “new economy majors” that are multi­disciplinary, transformative, and future-focused.

The Saratogian features Robert Pearson, associate professor in the Department of Electrical and Microelectronic Engineering.

Tianjin University of Technology leaders toured the RIT campus and its Kate Gleason College of Engineering as the Chinese university looks to expand its teaching and research capabilities in the area of microelectronic engineering.