September 21, 2026
Mizzou Engineering researchers are exploring a more flexible and efficient process to create next-generation electronics.
Semiconductors are the foundation of modern technology, powering everything from smartphones and computers to vehicles and medical devices. As demand for faster, smaller and more powerful electronics continues to grow, manufacturers need new ways to build increasingly complex chip architectures.
These chips feature incredibly small, three-dimensional structures, where features are about 1,000 times smaller than the width of a human hair. To build these structures, manufacturers use a series of complex chemical steps that selectively block or enable the accumulation of atoms and molecules.
Mizzou researchers now want to take that control a step further. By developing molecules that can be turned on with ultraviolet (UV) light, they aim to use patterned UV light like a stencil, enabling engineers to build nanoscale features without complicated and expensive chemistry.
Who is conducting the research?
The project is being led by Matthias Young, associate professor in the Department of Chemical and Biomedical Engineering, Matt Maschmann, professor in the John J. Boswell Department of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering, and Kurt Brorsen in the Department of Chemistry.
The team use facilities in the MU Materials Science and Engineering Institute, which fosters collaboration in existing and new areas, including biomaterials, energy materials, quantum materials and materials-at-extremes.
They are joined by undergraduate researcher Sarah Tordilla and two graduate student fellows who are also NSF research trainees (NRTs): Lucas Kuehnel and Mary Richardson.
“The NRT students who work on this project are getting a top-tier education at the forefront of science and technology and will be able to use their skills to go out into the workforce and make a big impact in many arenas.” – Matthias Young
Why is this research important?
Semiconductor manufacturers already have ways to create nanoscale patterns, but the processes require multiple steps and wet-chemical treatments that add opportunities for contamination and other manufacturing complexities. The Mizzou team aims to simplify this process and give chip manufacturers far more precise control over how advanced devices are built
In earlier research, the researchers used UV light to make materials grow on surfaces that naturally resist deposition. Now they are pursuing the opposite strategy: developing light-activated molecules that prevent material growth in selected locations where it would normally occur.
The tricky part is finding those molecules that will block growth when activated by UV light. There are potentially billions of candidates, and examining each one individually would take too long. So, the researchers are turning to AI and machine learning to help them in the search.
“This new process would allow us to pattern both growth and no-growth areas at the nanoscale, enabling something akin to atomic-scale 3D printing.” – Matthias Young
Who will benefit from this research?
If successful, the technology could be translated to enable simpler semiconductor manufacturing processes and potentially help reduce costs, improve performance and increase national security for semiconductor manufacturing.
The project also has a strong educational component. The research team plans to develop interactive learning modules that make semiconductor manufacturing concepts accessible to the public, including elementary school students. These activities will help increase awareness of an industry that plays a central role in modern life and may encourage future interest in science and engineering careers.
“You and I might someday have cheaper and faster computer chips enabled by this research.” – Matthias Young
Who is funding the research?
The research is funded by the National Science Foundation (NSF) through an $800,000 award — an investment in technologies that could advance semiconductor manufacturing capabilities while expanding scientific understanding and workforce development in a critical area of national importance.
Bottom line
This NSF-funded project seeks to give semiconductor manufacturers a new tool for building the next generation of computer chips. By developing chemicals that can be activated by UV light to precisely control where materials are deposited, the researchers hope to simplify manufacturing processes, enable more advanced chip designs and strengthen U.S. leadership in semiconductor technology.
What can I study if I’m interested in this research?
This project is interdisciplinary. Students interested in similar work might start by pursuing bachelor’s degrees in chemical engineering, mechanical engineering or chemistry.
“This is a difficult area of work, and we need passionate and hard-working people from all disciplines to help address these research challenges.” – Matthias Young