Leading-Edge Research and Development > Research Profiles > Profiles Archive > CNSE graduate and China native settles in New York State to pursue his passion for nanotechnology Dr. Da Song moved from China to New York to pursue a Ph.D. in nanotechnology at CNSE. Now that he's earned his degree, he's staying right here in the Empire State to launch his career.

Dr. Song received his B.S. and M.S. degrees in electrical engineering from Zhejiang University in Hangzhou, China. While studying toward his M.S. degree, he attended a presentation given by a CNSE faculty member focusing on CNSE's Albany NanoTech Complex and its pioneering educational curriculum. Dr. Song was drawn toward the unique infrastructure of CNSE and wanted to experience the world-class research firsthand, prompting him to apply to CNSE's Ph.D. program.

SEM micrograph of a 200×200μm freestanding PSi diffractive optical element with 10μm periodic spacing. (b) diffraction pattern from the same component at an incident laser wavelength of 543.4nm.

While at CNSE, Dr. Song's research focused on removing the existing roadblock to computational speed. As transistors have gotten smaller, the metal interconnect architectures have gotten larger, leading to a chip-to-chip communication delay known as the interconnect bottleneck. While at CNSE, Dr. Song researched creating mass-producible microscale free-space optical interconnects (FSOIs) by combining Porous Silicon (a unique optical material) and Micro-opto-electromechanical systems (MOEMS) to use in place of metal wiring. These new interconnects lead to higher signal transmission speed, larger signal capacity, lower noise, and lower power expenditure, helping to boost the next- generation, high performance optical computing and communication system.

Dr. Da Song stands with his advisor, Professor and Head of CNSE's Nanobioscience Constellation, Dr. James Castracane after his graduation.

To build on his CNSE research after graduation, Dr. Song wanted to move into an industry position within New York State and applied for his current position at Sensitron Semiconductor. "There are many opportunities in the nanotechnology industry available in New York State due in large part to CNSE and state government's continued investment in collaborations such as the CNSE-IBM-New York State partnership," says Dr. Song. "Even during an economic recession, there is a promising future in high tech as people look to innovation in industries like nanotechnology for investment opportunities."

New York State-based Sensitron Semiconductor - which develops, designs and manufactures semiconductor and microelectronics products - hired Dr. Song as a Senior Design Engineer to improve the yield of their products. Dr. Song held an advantage when he first started at Sensitron through the experience he gained working in a 300mm cleanroom at CNSE's Albany NanoTech Complex, beginning with a summer internship with IBM. "I was able to start working at Sensitron with real industry experience that I had already gained at CNSE when I worked with industry people and learned how to apply the research I was doing in the classroom to real projects," says Dr. Song. "CNSE is a launching pad that thoroughly prepares students for their future."