Shahin Wins ASEE Naval Research Internship

The American Society for Engineering Education (ASEE) has awarded University of Maryland graduate student David Shahin (Department of Materials Science and Engineering [MSE]) a Naval Research Enterprise Internship Program (NREIP) fellowship. He is one of 75 graduate students nationwide who have received competitive summer internships at Department of Navy research facilities. Shahin will work at the Naval Research Laboratory in Washington, D.C.

Shahin, who is advised by MSE professor Aris Christou, is focused on developing improved processing for the production of vertical gallium nitride (GaN) metal-oxide-semiconductor field effect transistors. His dissertation work includes investigations of dopant activation conditions, interface behavior of oxides on GaN, and the effects of plasma etching damage during the manufacturing process.

“These transistors can be used as solid-state electrical switches for high power applications, such as electric vehicle drivetrains, renewable energy generators, and long-range radar and communications systems,” he explains. “I'm investigating a variety of topics…in order to optimize the fabrication process and ultimately achieve better device performance.”

Published March 12, 2015