MENLO PARK, Calif.—Sept. 21, 2016—The Semiconductor Industry Association (SIA), in consultation with Semiconductor Research Corporation (SRC), today presented its University Research Award to professors from the University of Chicago and the University of Michigan in recognition of their outstanding contributions to semiconductor research.

Dr. Paul Nealey, professor of molecular engineering at the University of Chicago, received the honor for excellence in technology research, while Dr. David T. Blaauw, professor of electrical engineering and computer science at the University of Michigan, was recognized for excellence in design research.

“Research brings to life the tremendous innovations that underpin the U.S. semiconductor industry, the broader tech sector, and our economy,” said John Neuffer, president and CEO of the Semiconductor Industry Association, which represents U.S. leadership in semiconductor manufacturing, design, and research. “Professors Nealey and Blaauw have led research efforts that have advanced semiconductor technology and strengthened America’s global technology leadership. It is an honor to recognize Dr. Nealey and Dr. Blaauw for their landmark accomplishments.”

“SRC’s mission is to drive focused industry research to both advance state-of-the-art technology and continue to create a pipeline of qualified professionals who will serve as next-generation leaders for the industry,” said Ken Hansen, SRC President and CEO. “Dr. Nealey and Dr. Blaauw exemplify that spirit of innovation, and we’re pleased to honor them for their achievements.”

Dr. Nealey is a pioneer of directed self-assembly, which is becoming very important in microelectronics processing to create patterns for integrated circuits. He is one of the world’s leading experts on patterning organic materials. This entails creating physical patterns of structure and composition in organic materials at the nanometer length scale, where the patterns affect the function of the materials. Dr. Nealey holds 14 patents and is the author of more than 180 publications.

Dr. Blaauw worked for Motorola, Inc. from 1993-2001, where he was the manager of the High Performance Design Technology group. Since August 2001, he has been on the faculty at the University of Michigan where he is currently a full professor. His work has focused on VLSI design with particular emphasis on adaptive and low-power design. Dr. Blaauw received his B.S. from Duke University in 1986 and his Ph.D. from the University of Illinois, Urbana, in 1991.

The University Research Award was established in 1995 to recognize lifetime research contributions to the U.S. semiconductor industry by university faculty. 

Media Contacts

Dan Rosso
Semiconductor Industry Association
202-446-1719
drosso@semiconductors.org

Robert Manetta
Semiconductor Research Corporation
robert@manettapr.com
408-332-0968

About SIA
The Semiconductor Industry Association (SIA) is the voice of the U.S. semiconductor industry, one of America's top export industries and a key driver of America’s economic strength, national security, and global competitiveness. Semiconductors – microchips that control all modern electronics – enable the systems and products we use to work, communicate, travel, entertain, harness energy, treat illness, and make new scientific discoveries. The semiconductor industry directly employs nearly a quarter of a million people in the U.S. In 2015, U.S. semiconductor company sales totaled $166 billion, and semiconductors make the global trillion dollar electronics industry possible. SIA seeks to strengthen U.S. leadership of semiconductor manufacturing, design, and research by working with Congress, the Administration and other key industry stakeholders to encourage policies and regulations that fuel innovation, propel business and drive international competition. Learn more at www.semiconductors.org.

About SRC

Semiconductor Research Corporation (SRC) is a non-profit consortium that works with industry, government and academia partners to define, fund and manage university research on behalf of its member companies. Participants gain access to research results and fundamental IP used to compete in the dynamic global marketplace, while recruiting from highly trained students to build the workforce of tomorrow. For more information, visit https://www.src.org/.