National Science Foundation
Samuel Graham, Ph.D. Eugene C. Gwaltney Jr. School Chair and Professor The George W. Woodruff School of Mechanical Engineering, Georgia Institute of Technology Graham began at Georgia Tech in 2003 as an assistant professor. Prior, he was a senior member of the technical staff at Sandia National Laboratories in Livermore, California. Graham’s research focuses on the fabrication, packaging and reliability of electronic devices. In this work, his group has expertise in the thermal analysis and reliability of GaN-based, wide-bandgap semiconductors used in radio frequency communications, solid state lighting and power electronics. His group develops experimental techniques to measure the temperature and stress distribution in these devices down to the individual transistor level. In addition, they investigate the thermophysical properties and thermal interface resistance between the wide bandgap semiconductors and their substrates such as SiC, Si, and diamond. Coupled electro-thermal and thermomechanical modeling of these devices are used under both DC and transient timescales to understand the performance of these devices. Finally, methods to effectively remove the heat from these devices using single phase and two phase cooling are under investigation. His group has strong industrial and DoD ties in this area of research. In addition to wide bandgap devices, the Graham group is also working on packaging and reliability of organic electronics and flexible electronic devices. His group has developed expertise in the creation of ultra-barrier film technology based on vacuum deposited thin films for the hermetic sealing of electronics which has industrial relevance to next generation displays and wearable devices. His group is investigating the mass transport through barrier films along with the mechanics of the films (fracture, adhesion, etc.) and chemical resistance is important for the fabrication of thin film and flexible electronics for harsh environments. The Graham group regularly collaborates with the Center for Organic Photonics and Electronics in this area of research and is part of the NextFlex Consortium. Graham also holds a joint appointment in the Energy and Transportation Sciences Division of Oak Ridge National laboratory where he works jointly with ORNL staff on energy related research. This includes the fundamental studies of the properties of nano materials and how they can be exploited in building energy systems, materials for energy storage, and the improvements to energy efficiency in thermodyanmic cycles. The goal is to exploit the unique properties of materials to advance the energy efficiency and effectiveness of buildings and transportation systems.
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