UA Graduate Student Awarded at International Symposium

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RALEIGH, N.C. – A University of Arkansas graduate student with International Microelectronics and Packaging Society was awarded for his student paper at the International Symposium on Microelectronics in Raleigh, N.C., Nov. 1-5. Mohammad Chowdhury, a graduate student in the microelectronics and photonics program, received the award for Outstanding Student Paper while competing among student researchers from national and international institutions.

Chowdhury won this prize for his paper and presentation titled, “Understanding Cleaning of Vias Fabricated Using Micro Mechanical Punching in Liquid Crystal Polymer (LCP) Substrate.” With this achievement Mohammad has won a $250 cash prize and the paper will be published in the January-February issue of Advancing Microelectronics. The paper is co-authored by Ajay Malshe, a University of Arkansas professor and the IMAPS faculty adviser, and Li Sun and Shawn J. Cunningham, of WiSpry Inc. of Irvine, Calif. This was the second award won by the Arkansas IMAPS chapter at this year’s symposium, adding to the first-place prize for the IMAPS Student Chapter poster presentation competition. 

The international membership and chapter manager of IMAPS, Steve Greene, commented, “The University of Arkansas Chapter is now one of the strongest IMAPS student chapters. Its strength is a direct result of Mohammad’s efforts and leadership. IMAPS leaders appreciate all their student chapter programs in 2010 and the past ten years. These local programs have helped to ensure a strong future for IMAPS and the microelectronics industry itself.”

Ken Vickers, the director of the interdisciplinary microelectronics-photonics graduate program, added, “All of us in micro-electronics and photonics are proud that Mr. Chowdhury won this award in a very prestigious international competition. The hard work and dedication he showed in winning this award not only demonstrated his strength, but also that our students are competitive anywhere. The dedicated faculty and world class research facilities at the University of Arkansas are providing the needed support for our students to reach their greatest potential."

The student organization at the University of Arkansas is a student chapter of the professional organization IMAPS. Founded in 1967, IMAPS is the largest society dedicated to the advancement and growth of microelectronics and electronics packaging technologies through professional education. The society’s portfolio of technologies is disseminated through symposia, conferences, workshops, professional development courses and other efforts. With more than 8,000 members worldwide, it is remarkable to have one of only 17 student chapters here at the University of Arkansas.

Malshe, the chapter faculty adviser for IMAPS, added, “I want to congratulate Mohammad on his achievement and a job well done. Mohammad is one of many students I have had the privilege to work with over the years and his achievement goes to show that our students are the best of the best to lead innovation in nano- and micro-electronics, integration and related areas. Their breakthrough research and communications skills have set them apart from their peers.”

Chowdhury, who is the university's IMAPS chapter chair and prize winner, said, “I am very excited to have made this accomplishment amidst the tough international competition. I am grateful to IMAPS for providing me the opportunity to present myself, and I am delighted to have had the chance to work in a field of such cutting-edge research and I am thankful for the undying support of my colleagues and mentors. This is a great honor.”

Nano- and micro-electronics and integration research is performed at various graduate and undergraduate programs and research organizations at the University of Arkansas. Examples include the High Density and Electronics Center, the Nano-Materials Science and Engineering Center, and the microelectronics and photonics program.