NanoElectronics | Electrical Engineering

Shape the future of electronics by studying the design, operation, and characteristics of nanoscale electronic devices and circuits.

Currently, we are facing exponential growth in electronic devices - a trend that isn’t sustainable in the long term. Quantum electronic circuits and neuromorphic electronic circuits, often referred to as brain-inspired electronics due to their resemblance to the brain’s structure and functionality, can be viable alternatives that consume much less power. By understanding the principles of semiconductor materials and their behaviour at the nanoscale, you can develop novel concepts of nanoscale electronic devices. Over time, these concepts can pave the way for future generations of electronics characterised by significantly lower power consumption, prolonged battery life, reduced weight, and enhanced electrical conductivity. If you are interested in designing, making, and measuring nanoscale electronic devices and integrated circuits, the specialisation in Nanoelectronics offers an excellent opportunity for you.

What is Nanoelectronics?

This specialisation will teach you to design, develop, measure, and understand circuits at an ultra-small scale, the nanoscale, that can be used in modern quantum and neuromorphic electronics. You will learn the fundamentals of materials science and quantum mechanics, pivotal in nanoelectronics and its various applications, such as in transistors and diodes. Depending on your interests, you can tailor your programme to learn about manufacturing technologies of integrated circuits, the physics of semiconductor devices, or the fabrication of micro systems. Eventually, you will be able to develop and design nanoscale circuits, measure them at an extremely low temperature—4 Kelvin equal to -273.15 degrees Celsius—and characterise the behaviour of the electrons so that you can understand why they are or aren’t behaving as expected.

Examples of courses you will follow within this specialisation:

What are the latest developments in (nano)electronics including quantum electronics and neuromorphic electronics? Learn to describe and evaluate them in the course Nanoelectronics.
How can material properties affect electron transport? In the course Materials Science, you will learn about the important properties of materials needed for the development of micro systems.
How can you extend the fundamental principles of quantum mechanics beyond the hydrogen atom? Gain a deeper understanding of the periodic table of elements and the electronic structure of molecules in the course Applied Quantum Mechanics.

Thanks to our collaboration with the MESA+ NanoLab, the Centre for Quantum Nanotechnology Twente, and the Centre for Brain-Inspired Nano Systems (BRAINS), you will be able to participate in innovative projects in the field of nanotechnology and electronics. What’s more, you will get access to our modern facilities, including the cleanroom where you can work on fabricating nanoscale devices.

What will you learn?

Knowledge
After completing this Master’s specialisation, you:
- can describe and evaluate modern directions in (nano)electronics including quantum electronics and neuromorphic electronics;
- have a fundamental understanding of single electron transistors (SETs), quantum dots (QDs), and electron transport via quantum tunnelling in SETs and QDs;
- you have an in-depth understanding of microwave and radio frequency electronics.
Skills
After successfully finishing this Master’s specialisation, you:
- can do low-noise electron transport measurements on single-electron transistors;
- can describe and evaluate neuromorphic functionality in nanoparticle networks and dopant networks in semiconductors as well as basic statistical methods for neuromorphic computing;
- can fabricate nanoscale devices in the cleanroom.
Values
After completing this Master’s specialisation, you:
- understand the significance of precise measurements and calculations to ensure the optimal performance of nanoscale devices;
- understand the importance of rigorous experimental practices and methodologies in nanoelectronics research;
- are aware of the importance of cleanroom practices to avoid contamination and ensure a safe work environment.

Other Master’s

Is this specialisation not exactly what you are looking for? Maybe one of the other specialisations suits you better. You can also find out more about related master’s at the University of Twente:

Courses & research