Consortium explores energy-efficient electronics and photonics

The University of Texas at Arlington is part of a new consortium funded by the Department of Energy that involves the development of new technologies and college courses covering everything from radiation detection to nuclear engineering.

The grant also will help UTA develop 2-D materials that can be integrated into new hand-held photonic technologies with multiple uses.

Electrical Engineering Professor Weidong Zhou and Associate Professor Alice Sun will use the five-year, $1.8 million grant to work with collaborators at UT Arlington, University of North Texas, University of Arkansas Pine Bluff, and Argonne and Sandia national laboratories as part of the larger Consortium on Sensing, Energy-Efficient Electronics and Photonics with 2-D Materials and Integrated Technologies (SEEP-IT). Anupama Kaul, UNT professor of materials science and engineering and electrical engineering, is principal investigator on the consortium project.

"We are focusing on photonics for national security applications in detecting any kind of nuclear signature," Zhou said.

For example, one of Sun's tasks will be to develop a hand-held nanophotonic radiation detector.

"We want to make is smaller and more sensitive," she said.

Other UT Arlington researchers involved in the project include:

• Yaowu Hao, professor in the Department of Materials Science and Engineering, who will work with UT Southwestern on course development based on nanoparticles related to radiation for medical purposes.

• Rasool Kenarangui, senior lecturer in electrical engineering, who will develop other new nuclear engineering courses. UT Arlington currently offers a minor in nuclear engineering.
• Ann Cavallo, assistant vice provost, director of the Center for Research on Teaching and Learning Excellence, co-director of UTeach Arlington, and Distinguished University Professor of Science Education, will help with summer programs, summer teacher programs and other workforce development projects.

Zhou said this consortium also focuses on pipeline workforce development. It offers an excellent research and education opportunity for domestic students at all levels, from K-12 to doctoral students.

Provided by University of Texas at Arlington