Saptarshi Das, PhD
Ackley Professor of Engineering, Engineering Science and Mechanics, Electrical Engineering and Computer Science, Materials Science and Engineering, Materials Research Institute, Pennsylvania State University
Date: March 17, 2025
Time: 3:00 - 4:00 PM ET
Location: Building 34, Room 401 (Grier Room)
Reception to follow
Abstract
In this talk, Prof. Das will explore the intersection of artificial intelligence (AI), advanced materials, and novel computing architectures, focusing on the development of bio-inspired circuits for neuromorphic and edge sensing applications.
By leveraging the unique properties of two-dimensional (2D) materials, such as MoS2, WSe2, and graphene, Das will demonstrate their potential in enabling energy-efficient, scalable, and highly adaptable circuits that emulate biological neural systems. These circuits are particularly well-suited for edge computing and sensing tasks, where compactness and power efficiency are critical.
One example of this approach is leveraging AI and machine learning (ML) to enhance the performance of graphene-based electronic tongue for food safety, environmental monitoring, and healthcare applications (Nature, 634, 572–578, 2024). Furthermore, Das and his research group have demonstrated bio-inspired computing paradigms that replicate complex biological processes, including auditory processing in barn owls, collision avoidance in locusts, probabilistic computing in dragonflies, and multisensory integration in octopuses. By combining 2D materials with bio-inspired principles, they are paving the way for compact, functionally diverse integrated circuits that harness the power of neuromorphic processing.
Finally, beyond bio-inspired circuit design, Das will delve into the transformative potential of monolithic 3D integration using emerging 2D field-effect transistors (FETs). Their recent breakthroughs in wafer-scale 2-tier and 3-tier 3D integration with MoS2 and WSe2 FETs have enabled the realization of multifunctional circuits, paving the way for the next generation of logic and memory devices (Nature, 625, 276-281, 2024). These advancements are critical for overcoming the limitations of conventional scaling and unlocking new possibilities in high-density, low-power electronics, particularly for mimicking the three-dimensional structure of the brain.
Biography
Dr. Das received his B.Eng. degree (2007) in electronics and telecommunication engineering from Jadavpur University, India, and his Ph.D. degree (2013) in electrical and computer engineering from Purdue University. He was a Postdoctoral Research Scholar (2013-2015) and Assistant Research Scientist (2015-2016) at Argonne National Laboratory (ANL). Dr. Das joined the Department of Engineering Science and Mechanics (ESM) at Pennsylvania State University in January 2016. Dr. Das received the Young Investigator Award from the United States Air Force Office of Scientific Research in 2017 and the National Science Foundation (NSF) CAREER award in 2021. The Das Research Group at Penn State focuses on 2D microelectronics for monolithic 3D integration, bio-inspired sensing, neuromorphic computing, and hardware security.