Advanced Manufacturing Features AIM Photonics and NY Creates in “Enabling Quantum Leaps in PIC Technology”

Zoomed in wafer and tool
Amit Dikshit (right), AIM Photonics design enablement manager, at OFC 2024. The Optical Fiber Communication Conference is the largest global conference and exhibition for optical communications and networking professionals.

A new feature from Advanced Manufacturing spotlights how AIM Photonics and NY Creates are driving innovation in photonic integrated circuit (PIC) technology.

Over the past decade, the American Institute for Manufacturing Integrated Photonics (AIM Photonics) has been instrumental in advancing U.S. manufacturing through its open-access, multi-project-wafer (MPW) platform, accelerating domestic development and prototyping of cutting-edge PICs.

At the heart of this progress is NY Creates’ Albany NanoTech Complex world-class facility provides the technologies, advanced cleanroom infrastructure, and high-volume semiconductor manufacturing tools that enable AIM Photonics to deliver wafer-scale photonic integration and specialized prototyping.

Read the full article in Advanced Manufacturing: AIM Photonics: Enabling Quantum Leaps in PIC Technology

Collaborative NY Creates Research Published in Nature Communications Physics

Light and photonics design
Light and photonics design
Researchers from NY Creates, Boston University, Lightmatter, and Cornell Tech published in Nature Communications Physics, “Photonics for sustainable AI.” The research “explores the potential of photonics as a carbon-sustainable solution for the next-generation AI hardware.”
 

GE Aerospace Release Press: GE Aerospace Foundation Launches Next Engineers with University at Albany, miSci and NY Creates in New York’s Capital Region

Plans to reach 4,000 local students with engineering learning and development opportunities

October 7, 2025 – Niskayuna, New York – GE Aerospace Foundation announced today its partnership with University at Albany – State University of New York and Schenectady’s Museum of Innovation & Science (miSci) and NY Creates to launch the Next Engineers program in the New York Capital Region. As a key location in the continued expansion of Next Engineers, New York will play a vital role in inspiring and preparing the next generation of engineering leaders.  

“We are proud to inspire and train the next generation of engineering professionals in the New York Capital Region, where GE Aerospace’s roots stretch back for over a century,” said Germaine Hunter, Vice President, Workplace & Employee Experience at GE Aerospace. “Nearly 1,000 employees help advance the future of flight at the GE Aerospace Research Center where ideas become reality, making it a fitting location as we continue growing our Next Engineers program—a key part of our philanthropic commitment to empowering and supporting the communities we serve.” 

“NY Creates is excited to support this positive initiative enabling experiential learning for students in the Capital Region to expand the critical innovation-centered pipeline which underpins the growth of high-tech companies across New York State and beyond,” said Dr. Robert Geer, NY Creates Vice President for Workforce Development and Education. “We are thrilled to partner with GE Aerospace, the University at Albany, and MiSci to deliver programming that will lead to tangible results for countless students, unlocking lifelong career opportunities as we leverage our workforce development network with our partners to inspire the next generation of talent.”

Read the full GE Aerospace Press Release HERE. 

News Mentions:

Dr. Geer Joins the IgniteU NY Podcast to Discuss NY CREATES’ Workforce Development Initiatives

Dr. Robert Geer presenting on Workforce Development at NY CREATES

NY CREATES Dr. Robert Geer, Vice President for Education and Workforce Development, was recently interviewed on the IgniteU NY Podcast, where he shared insights on how NY CREATES is helping grow the next generation of semiconductor talent. From a CRO Apprenticeship program to the Vet S.T.E.P, program, and industry-academic partnerships, Dr. Geer discussed the critical role NY CREATES plays in building a high-tech workforce to power the U.S. semiconductor pipeline.

Watch the interview and listen how NY CREATES’ workforce development and education programs are driving innovation across the industry.

Learn more about IgniteU NY here: https://igniteuny.com

 NY CREATES featured in Times Union Article: As Albany’s tech sector takes flight, region fights to keep young talent

Mike Irene working inside cleanroom at Albany NanoTech Complex. Image credit Times Union

Semiconductor industry continues to grow, create jobs

Mike Irene working inside cleanroom at Albany NanoTech Complex. Image credit Times Union

Image courtesy of the Times Union

ALBANY — Michael Irene has traveled to South Korea, Taiwan, Ireland and all over the United States working in the semiconductor industry.

But recently, Irene chose the Capital Region as his home to take on the role of program manager at NY Creates, the nonprofit that operates Albany NanoTech, where he will be focusing on work related to extreme ultraviolet (EUV) light. His first day aligned with the opening ceremony of the $1 billion National Semiconductor Technology Center Lab earlier this month.

It’s more of a homecoming for Irene, who grew up in Windsor and had his first job in the semiconductor industry at the NY Creates facility in 2011. With evolving opportunities within upstate New York’s semiconductor industry, Irene said that “Albany is a hidden gem.”

“Read more here.” [Paywall]

NORDTECH Technical Director Dr. Nicholas Fahrenkopf Recognized as 40 Under 40 Honoree by Albany Business Review

NY CREATES proudly congratulates Dr. Nicholas Fahrenkopf, Technical Director of the Northeast Regional Defense Technology Hub (NORDTECH), on being honored as a 2025 Albany Business Review 40 Under 40 recipient. Dr. Fahrenkopf was celebrated alongside fellow honorees during a luncheon hosted by the publication, recognizing young professionals making a significant impact in the Capital Region.

Through his leadership at NORDTECH, Dr. Fahrenkopf helps advance national security and economic competitiveness by driving microelectronics innovation and facilitating collaboration among academic, government, and industry partners. His recognition underscores the vital role of semiconductor research and development in shaping the future of U.S. technology leadership.

Read the Albany Business Review Article HERE. [Paywall]

NY CREATES Collaborative Quantum Research Published in ACS Applied Materials and Interfaces

Congratulations to NY CREATES’ Ekta Bhatia and colleagues on the publication of their article on niobium surface oxides in ACS Applied Materials and Interfaces. The team’s work, in partnership with PNNL, BNL and Neutral Physics Corp., is featured on the supplementary journal cover, an honor given to four exemplary research articles from each issue. The findings detailed in this article are important to understand how superconducting circuits for quantum computing can be improved.

Utilizing 300mm wafer-scale fabrication at NY CREATES, isotopic labeling studies, and modeling at DOE labs, coupled with state-of-the-art metrology, Ekta Bhatia, Jeffrey Dhas, and the team uncovered the details of hydrogen incorporation in surface oxides and its mitigation through innovative processes. This accomplishment is a shining example of the cutting-edge research conducted at NY CREATES, with partners across the U.S.

Read the Article Here