December 4, 2023

Illustration of a 2D material represented by dots of various colors against a magenta background to help explain phase-change memristor technology.

(University of Rochester illustration / Michael Osadciw)

A team of Hajim School researchers developed a new form of computing memory that is fast, dense, and low-power by strategically straining materials that are as thin as a single layer of atoms. These new hybrid resistive switches developed in the lab of Stephen M. Wu, an assistant professor of electrical and computer engineering and of physics, are outlined in a study published in Nature Electronics.

“We’ve combined the idea of a memristor and a phase-change device in a way that can go beyond the limitations of either device,” says Stephen. “We’re making a two-terminal memristor device, which drives one type of crystal to another type of crystal phase. Those two crystal phases have different resistance that you can then store as memory.”

Stephen and his team of graduate students conducted the experimental work and partnered with researchers from our Department of Mechanical Engineering, including assistant professors Hesam Askari and Sobhit Singh, to identify where and how to strain the material. To learn more about this interesting development, go to the News Center.

PHOTONICS 2023 YOUNG INVESTIGATOR AWARD

A graphic with Michele Cotrufo's headshot that says, "photonics 2023 YOUNG INVESTIGATOR AWARD WINNER"

Congratulations to Michele Cotrufo, assistant professor in the Institute of Optics, for receiving the 2023 Young Investigator Award from the journal Photonics. Michele was recognized for his outstanding research of metamaterials—artificially structured materials that manifest optical properties not available in bulk materials—for a broad range of applications in classical and quantum optics.

Michele joined the Hajim School this fall after having served as a postdoctoral fellow at the University of Texas at Austin and at the City University of New York. We’re proud to have junior faculty of such a high caliber and I hope you will join me in recognizing Michele for this tremendous accomplishment.

A DEEPER LOOK AT AUDIO DEEPFAKES

Neil Zhang works at a laptop on a desk filled with computer equipment, his face is reflected in the large monitor to his left.

(University of Rochester photo / J. Adam Fenster)

Several weeks ago, I shared a story about electrical and computer engineering PhD student You “Neil” Zhang receiving a competitive National Institute of Justice graduate research fellowship to develop new audio deepfake detection systems. Neil and his advisor, Associate Professor Zhiyao Duan, recently sat down with News 10 NBC for an informative and entertaining dive into their research at the Audio Information Research (AIR) Lab.

I encourage you to watch the video. Thanks to Neil and Zhiyao for speaking to the public about this growing threat and how they aim to help prevent it.

WiC-MiC GRADUATE STUDENT PANEL

Purple graphic that says, "WiC-MiC Grad/PhD/MBA Panel Q&A."

Undergraduate students interested in continuing to graduate school can attend an event hosted by Women and Minorities in Computing (WiC-MiC) to learn more about the MS, MBA, and PhD programs at the University of Rochester. WiC-MiC will host a panel discussion featuring Lisa Pink ’22 MS (data science), computational astrophysics PhD student Abigail Armstrong, and MBA student Jacquelinne Cervantes ’24.

The event takes place from noon to 1 p.m. on Friday, December 8 on Zoom and in room 1400 in Wegmans Hall. Register on Campus Community Connection.

SUMMER RESEARCH OPPORTUNITY IN HONG KONG

A group of students pose for a photo atop a hill with Hong Kong in the background.

(Photo credit: SURP/CUHK)

Hajim students should begin considering an exciting opportunity to spend the summer in Hong Kong developing their research skills, collaborating with world-class experts, and immersing themselves in the local culture through engaging activities and excursions. The Summer Undergraduate Research Programme (SURP) at the Chinese University of Hong Kong will soon be accepting applications.

Students can apply for the Hajim International Scholarship to help fund the experience. More information about the scholarship will be posted on the Center for Education Abroad’s students scholarships page in early 2024.

MINDFUL PROFESSOR TRAINING PROGRAM

Two students meditate with their hands together in a lounge area

(University of Rochester photo / J. Adam Fenster)

This spring, Hajim School faculty can participate in the Mindful Professor Training Program offered by The Mindful University Project. This initiative focuses on equipping participants with essential tools grounded in cutting-edge research and practices to cultivate mindfulness, enhance teaching effectiveness, and prioritize student well-being.

The Mindful Professor Training Program spans three months and includes seven hour-long workshops and two one-hour mentorship coaching sessions. This comprehensive program aims to not only improve faculty and course instructors’ mental health and teaching effectiveness but also to fill the existing research gap in mindfulness-based leadership within academic settings. Read more about the program.

NEWLY FUNDED RESEARCH

James Fienup poses with his arms folded in his dimly lit lab

(University of Rochester photo / J. Adam Fenster)

Congratulations to James Fienup, the Robert E. Hopkins Professor of Optics, for securing $225,000 in funding from the MZA Associates Corporation through a Small Business Transfer Program Phase II grant from the US Air Force. The project, titled “Three-Dimensional Tracking and Aimpoint Maintenance (3D TrAM) Sequential Phase II” aims to model sensing and aimpoint maintenance processes with experimental validation, and use the model to design suitable 3D sensors for U.S. Air Force applications.

Have a great week!

Your dean,
Wendi Heinzelman