The University of Michigan Radiation Lab and Trident Chapter are pleased to host Professor Abbas Semnani from the University of Toledo. Prof. Semnani will give a seminar, "Electromagnetic-Plasma Interactions: From Fascinating Physics to Real-World Applications" at 11:30 am ET on Friday, October 24. This in-person seminar is free and open to the public and will be held in room EECS 1200 on the University of Michigan North Campus in Ann Arbor, MI. Prof. Semnani will be available after the talk for questions and 1-on-1 meetings. To arrange a meeting, please contact the hosts. SEM Trident Chapter (AP03/ED15/MTT17/PHO36) (https://r4.ieee.org/sem/chapter-iv-trident/) Co-host: SEM Chapter 15 (NPS05) Co-sponsor: University of Michigan Radiation Laboratory ((https://radlab.engin.umich.edu/)) Co-sponsored by: University of Michigan Radiation Laboratory Speaker(s): Abbas Semnani Agenda: Welcome: 11:30 am Presentation Q&A Closing Radlab Seminar Series Electromagnetic-Plasma Interactions: From Fascinating Physics to Real-World Applications Prof. Abbas Semnani, Ph.D. Associate Professor, Department of Electrical Engineering and Computer Science Director, Adaptive Radiofrequency and Plasma Lab (ARPL) University of Toledo Toledo, OH 43606, USA email: [email protected] Abstract: Semiconductor devices, MEMS, liquid crystals, and ferrite materials have long been used as high-frequency tuning elements, but they face fundamental limitations in tuning range, power handling, and miniaturization—critical challenges for next-generation RF systems. Cold plasmas offer a disruptive alternative: by precisely controlling internal plasma parameters such as electron density, their dielectric permittivity and conductivity can be unprecedently tuned, enabling novel, reconfigurable electronic and RF devices with extreme reconfigurability. Beyond RF tuning and radiation, cold plasmas have also emerged as an enabling technology in many other fields, including medical treatments, semiconductor fabrication, electric propulsion, particle acceleration, water decontamination, material processing, and PFAS removal. However, generating stable plasmas is not trivial due to the need for energy-hungry sources. Microwave resonators provide a breakthrough solution by efficiently storing and amplifying electromagnetic energy, enabling energy-efficient plasma generation at power levels as low as milliwatts. These plasmas exhibit superior properties, including higher ionization and dissociation rates, enhanced electron density, and greater production of reactive species while maintaining low temperatures. In this talk, I will review our advances in electromagnetic-plasma interactions, with a focus on high-power microwaves and energy-efficient microwave plasma sources, highlighting key applications. Bio: Abbas Semnani is an Associate Professor of Electrical Engineering and the Director of the Adaptive Radiofrequency and Plasma Lab (ARPL) at the University of Toledo. Before joining UToledo in 2019, he spent seven years at Purdue University, where he focused on micro-discharges in high-frequency micro/nanoelectronics. His research interests include high-power microwaves, tunable and compact antennas, reconfigurable RF electronics, and microwave plasma sources for various applications. Dr. Semnani received the 2019 IEEE 'Tatsuo Itoh' Award, the NASA Glenn Faculty Fellowship in 2022, and the NSF CAREER Award in 2024. His research has been supported by NSF, DOE, ONR, ARL, NSWC Crane, Lockheed Martin, and Collins Aerospace. Room: 1200 EECS, Bldg: EECS Building, 1301 Beal Ave, University of Michigan North Campus, Ann Arbor, Michigan, United States, 48109

Speaker: Dr. Michael Roberg, Engineering Fellow at Qorvo Inc. Bio: Michael Roberg received the Ph.D. degree from the University of Colorado at Boulder in 2012. From 2003 to 2009, he was an engineer at Lockheed Martin-MS2 in Moorestown, NJ working on advanced phased array radar systems. From 2012 to 2022 he worked for Qorvo in the High Performance Analog business unit as a MMIC Design Engineering Fellow. In 2021, he received the Outstanding Young Engineer award from MTT-S and in 2022 he won the industry paper competition at IMS in Denver. From 2022-2024 he was an Engineering Fellow at mmTron, Inc. where he focused on MMIC development for millimeter wave systems. Michael re-joined Qorvo as a Fellow in the research organization in 2024 and continues to focus on advanced MMIC development. Title: Power Without Pain: High Power MMIC PA Design, The Pitfalls and How to Avoid Them Abstract: This presentation discusses high power monolithic microwave integrated circuit (MMIC) power amplifier (PA) design in Gallium Arsenide (GaAs) and Gallium Nitride (GaN). At a high level, GaN versus GaAs semiconductor technology from the perspective of power amplifier design metrics is analyzed to help determine the relative advantages and disadvantages of each technology. This is followed with an introduction of the most prevalent MMIC design topologies for the bulk of microwave applications which include reactively matched, non-uniform distributed, balanced, push-pull, Doherty and serially combined. Following introduction of the main topologies, the presentation focuses on the potential pitfalls the MMIC designer can encounter with detailed discussion on how to avoid them with the goal of first past design success. The presentation relies on experience from the author’s career with over 20 years of experience in the defense and commercial industries as well as academia. MMIC designers will appreciate the candid explanation of the design topologies and pitfalls while non-designers will come away with a good working knowledge of what can be achieved and what to watch out for. Speaker(s): Michael Roberg , Michael Roberg Room: C4, Bldg: Lecture Center, University of Illinois Chicago, Chicago, Illinois, United States, 60607

You are invited to join the IEEE Central Illinois Section in downtown Champaign, IL for our monthly networking meeting series. This informal dinner event is open to all IEEE member grades, including IEEE students and graduate students. Whether you're an active member or a student just beginning your career, this event provides a fantastic opportunity to connect, share knowledge, and build valuable relationships within the engineering community. REGISTER IF ATTENDING: Registration is complimentary. However, please note that all attendees are responsible for their own bills. Registration ends the morning of the event, or when all spaces have filled. BRINGING AN ADDITIONAL GUEST? If registering, please indicate if you plan to bring any guests. IEEE members may bring a nonmember guest. PARKING INFORMATION: - Nearest Lot: Parking spaces are available at the Walnut Street & Washington lot located at 35 East Washington St, Champaign, IL 61820. Visitors must pay to use this lot using an automated pay station in the center of the lot, or have a permit. - Garage Parking: Metered parking is available at the Hill Street Parking Deck located at 123 West Hill St., Champaign, IL 61820. The exit gate accepts Visa, MasterCard, Discover, and American Express credit and debit cards. The expected rate during this event is $0.75 per hour (rounded up). This area is head-in (forward) parking only. - Street-Level Parking: Metered street-level parking is available in the vicinity. For comprehensive information about parking in the area, please see the Champaign Public Works Department webpage: champaignil.gov/public-works/parking/. DRESS CODE: This event has no explicit dress code, however casual, semi-casual, and business casual seem common at the venue. ABOUT US: Formed as part of the American Institute of Electrical Engineers (AIEE) on June 28th, 1951; the IEEE Central Illinois Section serves members in Champaign, Springfield, Bloomington, Peoria, Quincy, Decatur, and their surrounding areas. Speaker(s): , , , Agenda: Start time: 6:00 PM Central Time End time: 8:00 PM Central Time Bldg: Big Grove Tavern, 1 E Main St, Champaign, Illinois, United States, 61820