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CNSE Graduate Student Awarded Esteemed Fellowship to Improve the Computer Chips of Today and Tomorrow

Rizzolo with adviser Dr. Kathleen Dunn

Research conducted by CNSE Ph.D. candidate Michael Rizzolo to develop innovative wiring that will enable faster, more powerful computer chips has helped him win a prestigious IBM/Graduate Research Collaboration (GRC) Fellowship through the Semiconductor Research Corporation (SRC) that will further his studies at the UAlbany NanoCollege.

Rizzolo was introduced to the nanoelectronics industry while majoring in Mechanical Engineering at Tufts University in Boston. There, he had the opportunity to work in the Tufts Micro/Nano Fabrication Facility (TMNF), allowing him to learn the process of lithography and microfluidics design. Rizzolo further honed his nanoelectronics industry skills during the three summers he spent working for IBM in Poughkeepsie, NY in the thermal engineering department. With a passion for nanotechnology, he made the natural move to pursue a graduate degree at CNSE.

“Growing up an hour south of Albany, I often heard about the UAlbany NanoCollege,” says Rizzolo. “Since I began my studies at CNSE, I have been extremely happy about my decision to attend and be a part of this competitive environment. CNSE has provided me with the ability to expand my research as a scientist with these great facilities, as well as pursue my M.B.A. in the evenings at the School of Business to better understand the driving forces of the high tech community.”

While at CNSE, Rizzolo has worked closely with his adviser, CNSE Assistant Professor of Nanoscience Kathy Dunn, to focus on improving the reliability and performance of copper wiring for today’s state-of-the-art computer chips, as well as the next generation and beyond. Rizzolo proved his talents in Dr. Dunn’s group when he quickly accomplished his first task of designing and building a flexible, computer-controlled microfluidic plating cell to enable rapid switching of an electrolyte solution without an air-break during copper electrochemical deposition (ECD). Through the IBM/GRC fellowship and his continuing studies at CNSE, Rizzolo will focus on ECD copper recrystallization to help understand the effect of impurities in copper, improve the microstructure, and increase the reliability of the wiring for nanoelectronics manufacturing.

Rizzolo and Dr. Dunn discuss samples in a lab at CNSE

“Mr. Rizzolo is an extremely promising young investigator working on a topic of vital interest to the IC industry,” says Dr. Dunn. “His project represents a unique approach to examining fundamental questions in the nanomaterial engineering of copper interconnects.

“Additionally, Mr. Rizzolo’s outstanding laboratory skills, personal discipline, and cheerful tenacity have served him well thus far, and promise tremendous potential for research excellence in his Ph.D. studies,” she says. “This fellowship from the Semiconductor Research Corporation is a gratifying confirmation of his attributes, and I look forward to working with Mr. Rizzolo in the next few years as his research matures.”

The IBM/GRC Fellowship recognizes outstanding academic and research achievement and is designed to increase the number of Graduate Fellows in research areas of special interest to IBM. The Fellowship award provides tuition and fees, a stipend of $2,252/month, and an annual unrestricted gift of $2,000 for travel and supplies.