Summer School Strengthens Ties with Industry

Reporter: Adda Avendaño / Photos: Courtesy of CNMN — August 6, 2026

The Center for Nanosciences and Micro and Nanotechnologies was one of the venues for the initiative focused on emerging technologies

Designing integrated circuits, manufacturing semiconductor devices, and gaining firsthand experience with the technologies behind smartphones, computers, sensors, and renewable energy systems were among the experiences offered by the 2026 Summer School on Semiconductor Devices, Integrated Circuits, and Emerging Microelectronic Technologies, held from July 6 to 10 at the Center for Nanosciences and Micro and Nanotechnologies (CNMN) of the Instituto Politécnico Nacional (IPN).

The initiative seeks to spark the interest of students, faculty members, and researchers in one of the fields having the greatest impact on today's scientific and technological development, said CNMN Deputy Director Cuauhtémoc León Puertos during the welcome ceremony.

Accompanied by faculty members and researchers from Cinvestav Zacatenco, Giselle Monserrat Galván Tejada and Ramón Peña Sierra, León Puertos explained that the Summer School is a technical training program jointly organized by the student chapters of the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers Electronic Devices Society (IEEE EDS) at Cinvestav Zacatenco and the IPN's Center for Nanosciences.

He added that several institutions also participated in organizing and delivering the workshops, including the Solid-State Electronics Section (SEES) of Cinvestav, Universidad Autónoma Metropolitana (UAM) Azcapotzalco, the Center for Engineering and Industrial Development (Cidesi), and InnovaBienestar de México, an organization under the Secretariat of Science, Humanities, Technology and Innovation (Secihti), where the Kutsari Semiconductor Project is being developed.

The Summer School combined theoretical sessions with hands-on activities in specialized laboratories, including the CNMN's cleanroom, where participants had the opportunity to work with design and simulation tools used by industry and leading research institutions.

The program featured workshops on integrated circuit design using professional software, MOS (Metal-Oxide-Semiconductor) device fabrication, solar cell development, semiconductor material synthesis, electrical device characterization, electronic simulation, and emerging technologies for flexible sensors.

The program focused on semiconductor devices, integrated circuits, manufacturing technologies, and emerging microelectronics, complemented by expert lectures, hands-on workshops, laboratory demonstrations, and industry participation. This approach allowed participants to become familiar with both fundamental concepts and advanced research environments across several facilities.

Participants gained access to high-level scientific infrastructure at three leading national institutions—the IPN, Cinvestav Zacatenco, and UAM Azcapotzalco—within a collaborative environment aimed at preparing new generations of semiconductor specialists, a field considered strategic for global economic development and innovation.

To support continued professional development beyond the Summer School, the initiative also secured access for participants to Arizona State University's (ASU) Skills Accelerator Portal. Through this platform, attendees will be able to strengthen their knowledge and earn certifications in technical and professional competencies aligned with the current needs of the global semiconductor industry.