A Binghamton University research institute that partners with industry to advance electronics manufacturing has been re-designated by New York state as a Center for Advanced Technology. The designation comes with $1M in annual funding for the next decade.
The Integrated Electronics Engineering Center, founded in 1991, has been a Center for Advanced Technology since 1993. Empire State Development, which manages the CAT program, requires the center to reapply for the status every 10 years.
"This was a very competitive competition, and your proposal was among the best," ESD President and CEO Hope Knight wrote to IEEC Director S.B. Park. "We are looking forward to continuing to partner with the Integrated Electronics Engineering Center to assist with job creation through the development and commercialization of technologies in New York."
Park, a SUNY distinguished professor of mechanical engineering, said the IEEC supports innovative research that benefits companies and academia alike. The center's industry partners present real-world problems, which students, staff and faculty members aim to solve through research in advanced laboratories on campus.
"The depth of industry-hardened technical talent in the IEEC leadership team, combined with enhanced IEEC assembly manufacturing capability and its extensive network of New York partner agencies, has enabled innovative electronics packaging solutions for new and existing New York companies," Park said.
The IEEC maintains two unique core facilities at the Innovative Technologies Complex. The Reliability and Failure Analysis Lab is equipped with tools for assessing electronic devices and assemblies. And the Smart Electronics Manufacturing Lab offers an end-to-end Surface Mount Technology assembly line available for prototyping the manufacture and small-lot production of electronics assemblies.
The IEEC, part of the S3IP Center of Excellence at Binghamton, has had an economic impact of $2.1 billion on New York State since 1993. During that time, the IEEC has aided companies in the retention and creation of more 2,500 jobs.
Bahgat Sammakia, founding director of S3IP and vice president for research at Binghamton, noted that the IEEC collaborates with dozens of New York State companies, ranging from startups to large employers such as Corning and Global Foundries.
"As a researcher, it's rewarding to pursue projects with real-world implications," said Sammakia, a SUNY distinguished professor of mechanical engineering. "And as an educator, I'm proud that we can provide students with hands-on education and training that benefits their careers as well as the companies that are our partners."
Benson Chan, associate director of S3IP, said the center collaborates with companies on projects that may entail simple testing of one device as well as longer-term consultations that last months or even years.
"This renewal is great news for Binghamton University, our staff and the students we serve," Chan said. "The center will continue to be a resource for the electronics packaging community and to industry partners throughout New York state."
The IEEC runs the premier conference for the electronics packaging industry in the Northeast. The event is co-hosted by IBM Research, GE Aerospace and the Center for Advanced Microelectronics Manufacturing, another Binghamton research center. The program typically draws about 250-350 participants, the majority of whom are from New York state. This fall, the 36th Electronics Packaging Symposium (EPS) will take place Sept. 3-4 at the GE Aerospace Research Center.
