The advent of the new constellation concept goes hand in hand with the introduction of the new Center for Biotechnology and Interdisciplinary Studies. The main point and purpose of the constellation’s research is to apply the diverse background knowledge of the constellation’s members to a single objective.
The Future Chips Constellation was initiated in 2002 with E. Fred Schubert, the first senior constellation professor, and completed in 2004 with the addition of professors Shawn Y. Lin and Christian Wetzel.
Schubert earned his Ph.D. in 1986 in electrical engineering from the University of Stuttgart in Southwest Germany. He worked with AT&T Bell Laboratories for 10 years, and joined the faculty of Boston University in 1995 before coming to RPI in 2002.
Lin earned his Ph.D. in 1992 in electrical engineering from Princeton University. Before joining the RPI faculty in 2004, Lin worked at the IBM Thomas J. Watson Research Center and Sandia National Laboratories.
Wetzel earned his Ph.D. in 1993 in physics from the University of Munich. Prior to obtaining his position at RPI in 2004, Wetzel was a visiting professor at the University of California at Berkley and Meijo University in Japan. He also worked for Uniroyal Optoelectronics Corporation in Tampa, Fla.
Schubert, Lin, and Wetzel comprise the first constellation to be completed at RPI. They are currently doing research in the area of future chips, concentrating on chips that are used in applications such as lighting, communication, energy saving devices, smart lighting, biotechnology, and sensors. “ ‘Info-tech’ is the all-encompassing word,” Schubert said.
The word “chip” in future chips “comes from the fact that the devices we build are at the same time very powerful and very small as well,” Schubert added. These chips, which are about the size of a grain of sand, have revolutionized microelectronics and have created the field of microphotonics. Their impact can be seen in the key achievements of high-definition television, digital radio, cell phones, computers, world wide communications, digital video discs, and optical storage discs.
Despite the fairly short amount of time the constellation professors have had to conduct their research, they have already made tremendous contributions to the area of photonic devices. In fact, some of the device structures that have been fabricated by the constellation are now being considered for use by companies.
Devices first demonstrated by members of the constellation are currently being manufactured in large numbers according to Schubert. “The constellation has leading edge concepts that we have protected with patents,” he said.
As mentioned earlier, a significant part of the research going on deals with photonics. “Photonics starts with devices that can emit light,” Schubert explained. Already, the constellation has developed reflectors that are two to five times better than anything around and is working on creating ones that are one hundred or more times better.
Schubert said that “as the first constellation, we are very visible and we have already done great things here at RPI.” He also said that “our initial research results and success are very encouraging.”
Schubert mentioned a quote by Henry Ford that says, “the highest use of capital is not to make more money, but to make money do more for the betterment of life.” Schubert and his colleagues firmly believe that they will, within a matter of years, make better devices.
Schubert said that “scientists and engineers want their discoveries to be used to make a better world.” The areas of research already being delved into include investigation of crystal growth in nitrite semiconductors, and advancing the field of nanotechnology.
The original plan called for the formation of six constellations. Schubert predicts, however, that with the successes already demonstrated by the first constellations, more may be on the way. As for whether or not this new idea will stay permanently here at RPI, Schubert stated that, “We will certainly work very hard to have this as a part of the long term strategy.”
