Cross-appointment to the Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering in support of the collaborative project work between RTI and Duke

Dr. Ethan Klem is currently a Senior Research Engineer in the Electronics and Applied Physics Division at RTI International. His research has focused on the development of electronic and optical device technologies built upon nanostructured, solution processable, and thin-film materials. This work includes advancing the efficiency of low-cost solar cells and developing new technologies for camera sensors. His work includes additional efforts to develop light-driven water splitting devices for hydrogen production, the design of wearable electric-field and temperature sensors, and conformal large-area photosensor arrays.; on projects focused on the application of next-generation electronic materials. These projects include the design of quantum dot and organic-inorganic hybrid photovoltaics, the integration of nanostructured short wavelength infrared (IR) imaging arrays onto silicon processing chips, and the fabrication of quantum dot-based photodetector arrays. Has contributed to or led the development of funding opportunities for new and existing research programs in the areas of flexible electronics, next generation solar cells, sensors, and multispectral imaging.

Work focused on colloidal quantum dot (CQD) solar cell development. Created and characterized novel, efficient, visible and IR sensitive photovoltaic devices using solution synthesized semiconductor nanocrystals. Researched and tested a variety of device architectures and materials, including the use of semiconducting polymers and high surface–area porous-metal oxides. Developed and fabricated field effect transistors using CQD thin films to investigate doping, mobility, and conductivity changes in nanocrystal thin films and used an inorganic and organic hybrid route to modify p-type doping in CQD solids. Used semiconductor nanocrystals to fabricate thin-film, wide-area electroabsorption modulators effective in IR from 1,200 nm to 1,700 nm. Demonstrated the first-known example of quantum confined stark effect in IR sensitive semiconducting nanocrystals.

Responsible for the design of engineering evaluation and customer demonstration boards. This work involved schematic capture, design and simulation of high-critical high-speed path impedances and board layout. Provided technical support for entire product line of physical layer ICs working from 155 Mb/s to 10.7 Gb/s. Responsible for all applications support in the division (roughly $40 million in annual revenue). Worked to resolve customers’s technical issues for new designs, existing designs, and potential design wins. Delivered technical presentations to customers and generated application notes. Performed bench evaluation and performance analysis of newly designed “first silicon” devices. Conducted bench work to verify operation and compliance to specifications and generated technical marketing materials such as waveform images, eye diagrams, and performance data. Also performed bench work to mimic potential application scenarios to help customers evaluate problems and design feasibility. Additionally, designed a 2.5 GHz phase-locked loop (PLL) for a reference clock generation circuit.

Provided engineering support for the electrical systems of the dynamic thermal cycle and burn-in stress chambers. Used chambers to test multiple types of direct current/direct current (DC/DC) and alternating current/direct current (AC/DC) converters as part of an original equipment manufacturer (OEM) product line. Responsible for all down-time troubleshooting of electrical systems, including software interface, General Purpose Interface Bus (GBIB) control, fault control systems, data acquisition system and product interface. Designed and implemented test profiles and interface boards for new products.