International Workshop on Computational Technology (IWCN), a global forum for nanoelectronics researchers

I attended IWCN in Chicago from May 20-24, 2019. Thanks to the Early Career Travel Grant, from Communications Physics!
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(Madhuchhanda Brahma attended the conference in May. In this blog she shares her thoughts post attendance ahead of the launch of the 2019 travel grants)

As a graduate student in the field of computational nanoelectronics, I had always wanted to participate in IWCN. The conference is held biennially and brings together the majority of early and established scientists for a five-day discussion platform on this very focused research area. I was selected to present a talk which was made possible through the Travel Grant from Communication Physics.

The conference presented great opportunity for researchers like me to present their recent work and findings. There were several talks from eminent scholars in the field including interdisciplinary subjects: nanoelectronics, physics, chemistry, mathematics, materials science, and biology with a primary focus on scientific computing. The conference saw enthusiastic presentations and Q&A from graduate students, professors, postdocs, and industry professionals.

I presented a part of my PhD work in the conference. I also interacted with other experienced computational researchers and it helped me assess my computational model, its limitations, and possible improvements. The talks demonstrated the use of computational frameworks to predict electronic and thermal  transport in emerging 2D material based devices, high throughput atomistic calculations to determine the properties of new materials, development of advanced algorithms to accelerate computation of physical properties in semiconductor devices and biological sensors.  I found it particularly fascinating and inspiring how some of the groups have converted their in-house scientific computing tools into viable software products which are being used by industries to predict material and device behavior before fabricating them. 

Having just completed my PhD, the conference provided me an opportunity to network with international researchers which proved important for planning my future goals. In a way, the conference, and the Travel Grant, made me participate in the international semiconductor physics community and placed me at par with my peers from other nations.

Overall, I would say the conference was a very exciting and valuable experience, particularly at this stage of my career. This would not have been possible without the Early Career Travel Grant from Communication Physics. This grant opens up new opportunities for researchers who are at the early stages of their careers by attending conferences, just as it did for me to advance me to the next step of my career. I would strongly encourage young researchers to apply for the travel grant.

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Electrical and Electronic Engineering
Technology and Engineering > Electrical and Electronic Engineering