_{Professor, Electrical Engineering, University of California, Los Angeles. Ph.D. - Stanford.}

_{Senior Technical Director and Fellow at Broadcom. Ph.D. - UCLA.}

_{Professor at the Institute for Microelectronics of the Technische Universität Wien, Ph.D. - TU Wien, Austria.}

Microelectronics is a subfield of electrical engineering that deals with the design, development, and manufacture of electronic devices and systems that are small enough to fit on a microchip. These microchips, also known as integrated circuits (ICs), are the building blocks of modern electronic devices such as smartphones, computers, and televisions.

The field of microelectronics is constantly evolving as new technologies are developed to make microchips smaller, faster, and more efficient. This has led to the creation of increasingly complex electronic devices and systems, such as those used in the Internet of Things (IoT) and artificial intelligence (AI).

One of the key challenges in microelectronics is the miniaturization of electronic components. As devices become smaller, it becomes increasingly difficult to fit all the necessary components onto a single microchip. Engineers in this field must constantly find new ways to shrink these components and make them more efficient.

Another important aspect of microelectronics is the development of new materials and fabrication techniques. For example, the use of silicon as the primary material for microchips has revolutionized the field, but researchers are now exploring alternative materials such as graphene and carbon nanotubes that could lead to even smaller and faster devices in the future.

Microelectronics is also closely linked to the field of computer engineering, as the microchips used in electronic devices often contain microprocessors that are used to control the device’s functions. This has led to the development of powerful, yet small and energy-efficient, computers that are used in a wide range of applications, from personal devices to industrial and military systems.

The field of microelectronics is also closely connected to the field of telecommunications. Many of the devices and systems used in telecommunications are based on microchips, such as mobile phones, modems, and routers, and the development of new technologies in this field often leads to improvements in telecommunications devices and systems.

Overall, microelectronics is a dynamic and rapidly evolving field that plays a vital role in the development of modern electronic devices and systems. It requires a deep understanding of materials science, physics, computer engineering and mathematics to design, develop and manufacture the microchips that are used in everything from smartphones to industrial automation and aerospace systems.