Seminars

April 26, 2024

Enhanced Multi-Way Time Transfer for HighPrecision Time Synchronization among UASs

Khanh Pham, Air Force Research Laboratory

3:00 pm, ECE Building, Room 118
Online Guests: Contact Prof. Osiński <osinski@chtm.unm.edu> for a Zoom link

Abstract: This talk begins with a framework of enhanced two-way time transfer (TWTT) that is capable of achieving high-precision (e.g., 100 picoseconds) time synchronization of multiple distributed RF sources located on UASs in a GPS-denied environment. The proposed Enhanced Multi-Way Time Transfer relaxes two conditions of traditional TWTT: (i) Time at which the time-based signals are transmitted are the same for both Transmit and Receive sides and (ii) Propagation delays of time signals must be the same in both directions. Event-driven numerical simulations are also implemented and analyzed.

Bio: Dr. Khanh D. Pham is a supervisory principal aerospace engineer at the Air Force Research Laboratory / Space Vehicles Directorate and an adjunct research professor in the ECE Department at UNM. He is a Fellow of the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers, National Academy of Inventors, Air Force Research Laboratory, American Astronautical Society, Society of Photo-Optical and Instrumentation Engineers, Institution of Engineering and Technology, Royal Aeronautical Society, Royal Astronomical Society, International Association for the Advancement of Space Safety, and Asia-Pacific Artificial Intelligence Association. He holds 35 US patents.

April 19, 2024

Combating Noise on Quantum Computers

Milad Marvian, Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering, UNM

3:00 pm, ECE Building, Room 118
Online Guests: Contact Prof. Osiński <osinski@chtm.unm.edu> for a Zoom link

Abstract: Quantum computers have the potential to solve certain computational tasks significantly faster than classical computers. Although the theory of quantum fault-tolerance ensures that quantum computers can operate reliably in the presence of decoherence and noise, achieving such noise levels in experiments remains extremely challenging. In this talk, the basics of a few strategies to reduce and correct errors in quantum computers will be discussed.

Bio: Dr. Milad Marvian is an Assistant Professor in the ECE Department and also a member of the Center for Quantum Information and Control (CQuIC). Before joining UNM in 2020, he was a postdoctoral associate at Massachusetts Institute of Technology. He completed his Ph.D. in Electrical & Computer Engineering in 2018 at the University of Southern California.

April 12, 2024

Wet Chemical Processes in Silicon Semiconductor Manufacturing

David J. Maloney, Technic Inc. and Linx Consulting, LLC, Pleasanton, CA

3:00 pm, ECE Building, Room 118
Online Guests: Contact Prof. Osiński <osinski@chtm.unm.edu> for a Zoom link

Abstract: The ever-increasing complexity demanded by advanced semiconductor manufacturing naturally drives concurrent complexity in all of the processes and materials that enable leading-edge microprocessors, memory, and ASIC products, and this extends to the wet chemical treatments that are heavily employed in advanced fabs. Starting with the advent of the RCA Cleans suite of processes, this talk reviews the history of liquid-phase chemical processing in semiconductor fabrication, from Si surface preparation through wafer-level packaging (“WLP”), and covers wet photoresist removal, selective wet etching, post-plasma etch cleaning, and post-CMP cleaning. The breadth and variety of chemistries and processes required to sustain the stringent demands of leading-edge Si processing will be highlighted.

Bio: Dr. David J. Maloney is an independent consultant to the chemical industry with a focus on the electronics materials and chemical manufacturing and blending sectors. His career has included a wide range of roles at DuPont, Intermolecular Inc., and several startup companies. He currently supports several organizations, including Technic Inc., a supplier of high-purity formulated solutions to the semiconductor industry; and Linx Consulting, the leading electronics materials consultants within the semiconductor industry. Dr. Maloney holds degrees in chemistry from McGill University (B.Sc.), Texas A&M University (Ph.D.) and the University of California, Berkeley (MBA). He has authored over 40 peer-reviewed publications and patents.

April 5, 2024

Need Help Moving a Table at Home or Repairing a Satellite in Space? Robots Can Help You!

Rafael Fierro, Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering, UNM

3:00 pm, ECE Building, Room 118
Online Guests: Contact Prof. Osiński <osinski@chtm.unm.edu> for a Zoom link

Abstract: There is a technique called Decentralized Adaptive Control. In this seminar, I will demonstrate how it can assist you in rearranging your furniture, opening doors, moving boxes, and performing other complex tasks. Additionally, I will showcase several recent and ongoing projects at the AgMan and MARHES Labs, including catching a lost drone, monitoring CO2 levels in volcanoes in collaboration with my colleagues from Computer Science, stabilizing and repairing a satellite in orbit, and piloting an omnicopter.

Bio: Rafael Fierro is a Professor in ECE at UNM since 2007. He earned his MSc. in control engineering from the University of Bradford UK in 1990 and completed his Ph.D. in electrical engineering at the University of Texas at Arlington in 1997. Before UNM, he conducted postdoctoral research at the GRASP Laboratory at the University of Pennsylvania and later held a faculty position at Oklahoma State University. His research focuses on robotic networks, multi-agent systems, UAVs, and collaborative robot manipulation. Supported by the National Science Foundation (NSF), AFRL, DOE, Sandia National Laboratories, Northrop Grumman, NATO, and the Breakthrough Foundation, he directs the AFRLUNM Agile Manufacturing Center (AgMan) and the Multi-Agent, Robotics, and Heterogeneous Systems (MARHES) Laboratory. He received a Fulbright Scholarship, an NSF CAREER Award, and the 2008 ISA Transactions Best Paper Award.

March 29, 2024

An Introduction to the Nuclear Electromagnetic Pulse

William Prather, Air Force Research Laboratory, Kirtland AFB, NM

3:00 pm, ECE Building, Room 118
Online Guests: Contact Prof. Osiński <osinski@chtm.unm.edu> for a Zoom link

Abstract: High-altitude nuclear electromagnetic pulse (HEMP) has been recognized as a threat to electrical and electronic equipment since the early 1960s. It is becoming increasingly important today because of the growing global nuclear threat and the increased dependence of all of our forces on computers and electronic systems to carry out their mission. The purpose of this talk is to describe the phenomenon of HEMP, the effect it has on aircraft, and the methods used for hardening and testing modern aircraft.

Bio: Dr. William Prather received the BSEE and MSEE degrees from the University of New Mexico in 1970 and 1975 respectively. He worked at the Air Force Research Laboratory at Kirtland AFB from 1970 until his retirement in 2018. Since then, he has continued to support nuclear effects programs as a member of the Emeritus Corps. His special interests include EMP simulation, interaction and coupling, aircraft EMP hardening design, and the development of CW test methods for measuring system shielding. He has been very active in writing FAA and Military Standards and Handbooks for the design of protection of aircraft and Navy ships against EM Hazards. Mr. Prather is the recipient of the Peter Haas Award and the Carl Baum Medal. He is a Fellow of the EMP Society, a Senior Member of IEEE, a member of URSI Commission E and a member of Eta Kappa Nu.

March 22, 2024

Novel Processes for Advanced Nanoelectronic Devices

Shashank Sharma, Applied Materials, Santa Clara, CA

3:00 pm, ECE Building, Room 118
Online Guests: Contact Prof. Osiński <osinski@chtm.unm.edu> for a Zoom link

Abstract: Relentless scaling over the past several decades of semiconductor devices has been driven by performance, power, density, and cost requirements. Semiconductor industry has been successfully meeting these requirements with continued innovations in design, integration, and materials engineering. Logic transistor technology transitioned from planar geometry to 3D geometries such as FinFETs and horizontal gate all around, while introducing numerous new materials and processes across front end of the line all the way into back end of the line. Memory devices on the other hand have also seen integration in third dimension both in NAND and DRAM. This talk reviews some of the key challenges introduced by the new device architectures and various materials processing innovations that enable continued scaling.

Bio: Dr. Shashank Sharma holds the CTO position in Front End Products business unit in Semiconductor Products Group at Applied Materials. He has more than 20 years experience in the semiconductor industry, with the past >12 years at Applied Materials, developing advanced semiconductor process technologies in the areas of thermal and activated species treatment. He has authored/co-authored more than 60 publications and is credited with more than 24 granted patents. Dr. Sharma received his M.S. and Ph.D. degrees in Chemical Engineering from the University of Louisville, Kentucky in 2000 and 2003, respectively.

March 8, 2024

Fostering Link and Service Continuity in Connection-Critical Scenarios

Claudio Sacchi, University of Trento, DISI, Trento, Italy

3:00 pm, ECE Building, Room 118
Online Guests: Contact Prof. Osiński <osinski@chtm.unm.edu> for a Zoom link

Abstract: One of the claimed challenges of 5G and beyond standards is to provide service continuity in network scenarios where the connection links are discontinuous. In this seminar, some very recent results will be shown concerning this topic. The first series of results will deal with the use of Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs) to develop a transparent multi-frequency relay network performing signal amplification and frequency conversion between a satellite-based 5G network and User Equipment (UE). The claimed objective of the considered approach is to guarantee the link continuity also in the unpleasant case of disruption of the wireless terrestrial coverage. The second series is related to an experimental testbed leveraging Multi-Access Edge Computing (MEC) to maintain service availability in a satellite-aided 5G network configuration, where the terrestrial coverage is reduced or even missed. The global outcomes of the research work shown in the seminar will provide some guidelines to the design and implementation of robust radio network configurations capable of tackling emergency situations and solving urgent digital-divide issues.

Bio: Claudio Sacchi received the “Laurea” degree in Electronic Engineering and the Ph.D. in Space Science and Engineering from the University of Genoa, Italy, in 1992 and 2003, respectively. From 1996 to 2002, he was a Research Cooperator with the Department of Biophysical and Electronic Engineering (DIBE), University of Genoa, and with the National Italian Consortium in Telecommunications (CNIT), managing project activities in the field of multimedia surveillance systems and satellite communications. In August 2002, he joined the Department of Information Engineering and Computer Science (DISI), University of Trento, Italy, as an Assistant Professor. He was promoted to Associate Professor in December 2020. He has authored and coauthored more than 140 papers published in international journals and conferences. He is a member of the IEEE ComSoc, IEEE BTS, IEEE VT, and IEEE AESS. Since 2019, he has been coordinating and chairing the IEEE AESS technical panel: “Glue Technologies for Space Systems” that was awarded by AESS as “Outstanding Panel of the Year” in 2020 and 2021. Since January 1st, 2023, he has had double affiliation with UNM as Research Professor. His main research interests are related to emerging satellite and aerospace communications and broadband mobile communications in 5G and 6G systems.

March 1, 2024

Nanopositioning and Nanomeasuring Technology for Traceable 3D Nanofabrication and Surface Inspection

Dr. Ingo Ortlepp, Technical University Ilmenau, Germany

3:00 pm, ECE Building, Room 118
Online Guests: Contact Prof. Osiński <osinski@chtm.unm.edu> for a Zoom link

Abstract: Nanopositioning and nanomeasuring machines (NPMMs) have proven their potential for nanometer accurate measurements in volumes up to 200 mm x 200 mm x 25 mm with 5 axis operation in several fields. As these machines offer picometer resolution and nanometer uncertainty, the goal is to transfer their precision to fabrication and patterning. So far, our NPMMs have been equipped with laserbased and tip-based tools (1PP, 2PP, NIL, AFM, SPL) and combinations thereof. The goal is basic research on these technologies, to estimate the potential for later use in an industrial scale. The talk will describe the basics and parameters of NPMMs and the nanofabrication tools that we are currently working on. Focus is on the parameters in measurement mode and the accomplished fabrication results.

Bio: Dr. Ingo Ortlepp is a postdoc at the Institute for Process Measurement and Sensor Technology at TU Ilmenau and managing director of the research training Group NanoFab there. His research fields are dimensional metrology, in particular interferometry (concepts, optics, signal processing, laser sources), nanopositioning and nanomeasuring machines (concepts, mechanics, measuring strategies) and tools for measuring and patterning (optical, tip-based). He received his diploma in mechanical engineering from and in 2007, and his PhD in 2020 in the field of standing wave interferometry, both from TU Ilmenau.

February 16, 2024

Human-Infrastructure Interfaces, Fulbright Experiences Overseas, and Advancing Journal Publications

Fernando Moreu, PE, PhD, The University of New Mexico

3:00 pm, ECE Building, Room 118
Online Guests: Contact Prof. Osiński <osinski@chtm.unm.edu> for a Zoom link

Abstract: This presentation summarizes new research on Human-Infrastructure Interfaces (HII) advancing new bi-directional interfaces between human, machines, and infrastructure. The implementation of HII theory is achieved connecting new sensor technologies and Augmented Reality with infrastructure performance. Applications include structural dynamics and control, damage quantification, engineering learning, and humanmachine interfaces. New human-in-the-loop theories and experiments and applications facilitate trusted performance-based monitoring, robot control, and disaster recovery. Results include experiments and implications to Digital Twins and infrastructure management from cradle to grave using new technologies. Additionally, the speaker will share with the audience the work conduced during his Fulbright Fellowship at Taiwan last academic year, and advice for graduate (and undergraduate) students regarding research and scholar publications.

Bio: Fernando Moreu is an Associate Professor at the Department of Civil, Construction, and Environmental Engineering (CCEE) at the University of New Mexico (UNM). He holds courtesy appointments in the Departments of Electrical & Computer Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, and Computer Science at UNM. He is the founder and director of the Smart Management of Infrastructure Laboratory (SMILab). Prof. Moreu’s research interests include structural dynamics and control, structural health monitoring, wireless smart sensor networks, cyberphysical systems, computer vision, augmented reality, unmanned aerial systems, bridge engineering, and aerospace operations. Prof. Moreu received his MS and PhD degrees in structural engineering from the University of Illinois at UrbanaChampaign (2005 and 2015, respectively). He is the recipient of the Fulbright Hays Faculty Research Abroad and was a visiting professor at National Taiwan University in Taipei in Spring and Summer of 2023. He was the 2022 outstanding junior faculty researcher award at the UNM School of Engineering. Prof. Moreu’s projects are funded by the DOE, NSF, ONR, NAS, US DOT, TRB, New Mexico Space Grant Consortium, and the commercial sector. He is a member of ASCE, ASME, ASNT, ASEE and AREMA, and a registered Professional Engineer since 2010. Prof. Moreu is the current Secretary of the ASCE EMI Technical Committee in Structural Health Monitoring and Control (SHMC) (2023-2026) and also the current secretary of the Society for Experimental Mechanics Technical Division of Dynamics of Civil Structures (2023- 2025).

February 9, 2024

Engineering the Future of Space Research

Christos Christodoulou, The University of New Mexico

3:00 pm, ECE Building, Room 118
Online Guests: Contact Prof. Osiński <osinski@chtm.unm.edu> for a Zoom link

Abstract: COSMIAC is a Research Center in the School of Engineering at UNM that addresses contemporary engineering challenges crucial to the 21st century, spanning space technology, cybersecurity, PNT vulnerabilities, drone technology, space power beaming, RF and radiation effects on space electronics, and 6G communications.

Their diverse research portfolio is dedicated to engineering innovation that directly contributes to solving global issues. Positioned as New Mexico's aerospace research hub, COSMIAC plays a pivotal role in reinforcing UNM's leadership within the aerospace sector.

This seminar provides an overview of the ongoing research projects at COSMIAC and highlights opportunities for students to engage with and contribute to these projects.

Bio: Distinguished Professor Christos Christodoulou received his Ph.D. degree in Electrical Engineering from North Carolina State University in 1985. He joined the Electrical Engineering Department at UNM, where he served as the Chair of the Department from 1999 to 2005 and as the Dean of the School of Engineering (2017 to 2023). Currently, he is serving as the Director of COSMIAC. He is a Life Fellow member of IEEE and a member of Commission B of URSI. He is the recipient of the 2010 IEEE John Krauss Antenna Award, the 2022 IEEE Henning Distinguished Mentoring Award, and the 2023 IEEE Chen-To Tai Distinguished Educator Award. Since 2013, he has been serving as the series editor for Artech House Publishing company for the areas of Antennas, Propagation, and Electromagnetics. He has published over 600 papers in journals and conferences, has 20 book chapters, and has co-authored 9 books. He has also served as the main advisor for 40 PhD and 75 MS students.