TSMC Outstanding Student Research Award Call for Application

The purpose of the TSMC Outstanding Student Research Award is to recognizeexceptional semiconductor related research projects carried out by students at domestic universities.

Applications are solicited in the areas of Microelectronic Device and Process Technologies. Experimental and theoretical research oriented both to practical technological application as well as fundamental understanding is welcomed. General areas of interest are in three categories, as follows:

Category I: Microelectronics Device and Circuit Technology

This area covers the broad scope of microelectronics devices, including Si, display, MEMS and sensor technologies. Specific areas solicited are:

  • Theory and / or modeling of device and circuit structures
  • Design and characteristics of novel structures
  • Design for manufacturing
  • Nanoscale devices and device physics understanding
  • Reliability physics of devices and interconnects
  • Device and Circuit co-optimization techniques for power and performance management
  • High precision and high performance device and circuit design architectures

Category II: Microelectronic Process Technologies

All aspects of processing used to manufacturing microelectronic devices. Specific areas solicited are:

  • Novel processes in the areas of thin – film deposition / growth, etching, diffusion and lithography
  • Theory and / or modeling of lithographic imaging, photon or electron
  • Resolution enhancement techniques
  • Impact of processing on device physical and electrical characteristics
  • Process optimization for improved device performance / yield / reliability / manufacturability

Category III: Materials Characterization and Analysis

This area covers the whole range of materials used in the manufacture of microelectronics devices. Specific areas solicited are:

  • New materials for microelectronic application
  • Novel materials characterization techniques
  • Characterization techniques for nanoscale devices and materials
  • Theory and or modeling of materials properties
  • Impact of materials properties on device characteristics (yield, reliability, manufacturability)

Eligibility

Research projects in relation to the areas of interest carried out at domestic universities from June 1, 2005 to May 31, 2006 shall be eligible for the TSMC Outstanding Student Research Award.

Application

Application must be submitted electronically. Deadline for submission of abstract isMay31, 2006.

Prior to preparing your abstract for submission, please read the guidelines below.

  • 3-page extended abstract maximum(1 page text and 2 pages figures, drawings) together with application form indicating purpose of the research, manner and to what degree this research advances the technology and significance of the specific results found in this research are required for preliminary review.
  • Application must be accompanied by recommendations from the applicant’s research advisor.
  • Applicant’s published papers related to the research could be attached as supporting materials.
  • Applicants into final review must submit presentation slides 7 days prior to the final review.
  • All applications and presentations in the final review shall be in English.
  • To avoid publication conflicts, submissions will be used for award evaluation only

Review Process

Selection Criteria

  • Relevance to semiconductor technology
  • Technical depth: The research must present or support a finding or conclusion with significant potential value to the target audience.
  • Innovation: Innovation refers to the contribution of significant new information or insight.
  • Technical and Logical Validity: Validity refers to the strength and intellectual quality of the idea, how supporting rationale are expressed, and the soundness of the thought processes in reaching conclusions.
  • Accuracy: Specific language must be used to lend authority. For every field there are precise and accurate terms that will capture any idea or concept.Vague or undefined terms should be avoided.
  • Simplicity: The author should convey an idea as quickly and clearly as possible.

Preliminary Review

  • A review panel will rate abstracts in each category according to the selection criteria
  • Up to 8 submissions in each category will be selected for the final review
  • TSMC will inform those selected for the final review of the date and venue for final review

Final Review

  • The author of the research is required to make a 15-minute presentation to the Review Panel, followed by a 10-minute question and answer period.
  • Up to 3 winners will be selected from each category.

Schedule

  • Application due: May 31, 2006
  • Final Review: June 20~30, 2006
  • Award: July 14, 2006 (Fri)

Award

Winners of each category will receive award of

First Prize: trophy, cash prize NTD120,000(student: 80,000, research advisor: 40,000) and sponsorship to international conference(by application)

Second Prize: trophy and NTD100,000 (student: 70,000, research advisor: 30,000)

Third Prize: trophy and NTD80,000(student: 60,000, research advisor: 20,000)

TSMC Outstanding Student Research Award

Application form

Research topic:

Author:e-mail: Phone:

University:Department:

Current s study year:

Please describe

The purpose of this research

The manner and degree this research advances the technology

Specific new results that have been obtained and their significance.

Author’s signature: Date:

TSMC Internal Use Only

Number of application:

Application received

Research Advisor’s Recommendation:

Research Advisor’s signature

Date:

TSMC Outstanding Student Research Award

Review Form- Preliminary

#:

Research Title:

Author:

Topic Relevance to Semiconductor

The research must be relevant to the areas of interest and to semiconductor. / Relevant Irrelevant

Criteria

/ Score
(0 – 10) /

Weight

/ Total
Score

Technical - Depth

The thought, idea, concept or intent of the paper is the most important criterion of excellence. That is, the research must present or support a finding or conclusion with significant potential value to the target audience. / 10 / 6 / 60

Innovation.

Innovation refers to the contribution of significant new information or insight. The research need not be on a totally new or original subject (although it can be). However, the research should

be unique, non-obvious and useful. The research could include support for, questioning of, or rejection of an already published idea, approach or theory. It could be a different way of looking at a familiar subject, such as an historical event, or even a spoof that provides new insight into the subject at hand. The degree of innovation in approach, ideas, conclusions and insight are at the core of this criterion.

/ 10 / 6 / 60

Technical and Logical Validity.

Validity refers to the strength and intellectual quality of the idea, how supporting rationale are expressed, and the soundness of the thought processes in reaching conclusions. Validity does not refer to the idea itself, but rather to the value of the idea and how that value is developed or demonstrated in the research. The author(s) should provide a convincing rationale supporting the research's claims and conclusions. Hence, discussion and development of the idea must be based on accepted principles of logic and technical inquiry. Technical discussions should be grounded in the scientific method or other accepted technical theory. Deviations and proposed extensions to these should be clearly stated, supported and rationalized. Non-technical subjects should reference experts or experiential background in support of the argument. Evaluations must be based on solid reasoning and logic.

/ 10 / 4 / 40

Accuracy.

Specific language must be used to lend authority. For every field there are precise and accurate terms that will capture any idea or concept.Vague or undefined terms should be avoided.

/ 10 / 2 / 20

Simplicity.

The author should convey an idea as quickly and clearly as possible. Words should be common to the subject domain and not overblown, weighty or exaggerated for their own effect. Simplicity means conciseness by eliminating redundant, non-contributing words that merely fill a sentence.

/ 10 / 2 / 20
TOTAL SCORE / 200

Reviewer:

Date:

TSMC Outstanding Research Award

Final Review Form

Research Title:

Author:

Criteria
/ Score
(0 – 10) /

Weight

/ Total
Score

Technical Depth

The thought, idea, concept or intent of the paper is the most important criterion of excellence. That is, the research must present or support a finding or conclusion with significant potential value to the target audience. / 10 / 6 / 60

Innovation.

Innovation refers to the contribution of significant new information or insight. The research need not be on a totally new or original subject (although it can be). However, the research should

be unique, non-obvious and useful. The research could include support for, questioning of, or rejection of an already published idea, approach or theory. It could be a different way of looking at a familiar subject, such as an historical event, or even a spoof that provides new insight into the subject at hand. The degree of innovation in approach, ideas, conclusions and insight are at the core of this criterion.

/ 10 / 6 / 60

Technical and Logical Validity.

Validity refers to the strength and intellectual quality of the idea, how supporting rationale are expressed, and the soundness of the thought processes in reaching conclusions. Validity does not refer to the idea itself, but rather to the value of the idea and how that value is developed or demonstrated in the research. The author(s) should provide a convincing rationale supporting the research's claims and conclusions. Hence, discussion and development of the idea must be based on accepted principles of logic and technical inquiry. Technical discussions should be grounded in the scientific method or other accepted technical theory. Deviations and proposed extensions to these should be clearly stated, supported and rationalized. Non-technical subjects should reference experts or experiential background in support of the argument. Evaluations must be based on solid reasoning and logic.

/ 10 / 4 / 40

Accuracy.

Specific language must be used to lend authority. For every field there are precise and accurate terms that will capture any idea or concept.Vague or undefined terms should be avoided.

/ 10 / 2 / 20

Simplicity.

The author should convey an idea as quickly and clearly as possible. Words should be common to the subject domain and not overblown, weighty or exaggerated for their own effect. Simplicity means conciseness by eliminating redundant, non-contributing words that merely fill a sentence.

/ 10 / 2 / 20
TOTAL SCORE / 200

Reviewer:

Date: