PhD

Smart Systems and Energy Technology

• DNA analysis with a nanopore
• Reconfigurable biosensor arrays
• 3D-SOC integration by stacking heterogeneous IC technologies
• Technology aware design research
• Analog and RF circuit design for 45nm CMOS Cognitive Radio t
• CMOS design for mm-wave applications
• Cognitive radio processor architecture and platform
• Cognitive radio functionality
• Miniaturized Hyperspectral Vision System for the Embedded Do
• Multi-View Video
• Run-time resource management for dynamic Embedded Software
• Solar Cell Technology
• Organic electronics
• Wireless autonomous transducer solutions
• Ultra-high frequency communication with thin-film oxide elec

Solar Cell Technology

The research topics in the Solar Cell Technology group at IMEC span the range from improving (near)-industrial processes to exploring new and disruptive concepts for future generations of solar cells.

Working closely with industry, there is a well understood need of the current and short term needs for the industry. There is a continuous need for increasing the efficiency and a strong tendency to reduce the wafer thickness as silicon remains one of the largest cost components of the final photovoltaic module. The challenges for PhD’s in this field are identification, exploration, development and integration of possible technologies that can contribute to these drivers. The work is relatively close to market and has a relatively large practical and hands-on component. On the other hand, being well integrated in the scientific community, there is an awareness of the fundamental limits of the single junction crystalline silicon technology and initiatives are deployed to exceed these thermo-dynamic limits. In this field, the challenges for the PhD are conceiving, exploring and demonstrating conceptual proof of so called ‘third generation’ concepts based on nano-technologies.

Responsible scientists: Jef Poortmans, Robert Mertens