April inventor spotlight: Sanjay Krishna
Name: Sanjay Krishna
College: College of Engineering
Department: George R. Smith Professor of Engineering, Electrical and Computer Engineering
Research areas of focus: Semiconductor infrared detectors, arrays, and imagers.
Sanjay Krishna is a professor of engineering in the Electrical and Computer Engineering Department. His research focuses on emerging industries such as semiconductor infrared detector, arrays, and imagers.
“We conduct research to advance knowledge and the frontiers of science, and to do translational work so that we can turn research into great technology,” Krishna said. “For example, my research group worked on a dual band superlattice infrared detector, and now that work has been commercialized and industry has taken it far enough that it is now on the International Space Station. It took 10 to 15 years, but it is rewarding to see that work outside of the university.”
Krishna’s work has been published in more than 200 peer-reviewed journal articles. Additionally, he is looking forward to current projects he has underway.
“We have three patents at TCO right now, they are in various stages of licensing,” Krishna said. “One has been licensed already to a startup that we launched, Matsaki Technologies, Inc. Two more are being marketed around and we’re looking for partners for further development.”
“In aerospace and defense, we think we can have a big impact on environmental protection and sustainability, so that is very gratifying,” Krishna said. “We’re also looking into some medical applications in the form of neuro-infrared modulations, so we think we can make a difference in that space. It’s a hard problem, but those are the kinds of broad impacts we can have. “
One of the most rewarding aspects of Krishna’s role is the opportunity to mentor and mold the minds of the next generation. He has served as an advisor for about 50 graduate students, including 31 PhD students.
“Female students and students from underrepresented backgrounds are very rewarding to work with because of the ripple effect they continue to have in their communities,” Krishna said.
One of Krishna’s former students who obtained a PhD out of his research group works at Sandia National Laboratories. He says her success helps motivate other students.
“The example she sets really amplifies our educational efforts and ensures they carry forward to the next generation, because people from similar backgrounds can now see themselves in our research,” Krishna said.