Professor Ivona Mitrovic
Current role
I am a Professor and Head of the BioMEMS, Organic and Silicon Electronics Group at the Department of Electrical Engineering and Electronics. My expertise is in semiconductor materials and devices. Our research in semiconductors underpins future technologies in Net Zero, artificial intelligence and quantum and represents is an area of global strategic significance.
My group leads a diverse portfolio of research in advanced More-than-Moore fields, including:
- Smart sensors for automotive and medical sectors.
- Smart energy for power electronics and supporting the transition to Net Zero via renewable energy sources.
- Energy harvesting for sensor networks, Internet of Things (IoT) and avionics.
- Wearable and flexible electronics for the medical sector, consumer and IoT.
In recent years, our research portfolio has grown significantly, particularly in Net Zero technologies and sensors for healthcare.
Research and recent engagements
My core research focuses on understanding and engineering electronic materials, particularly the oxide/semiconductor interface, to enable unprecedented levels of silicon chip scaling. I have established a substantial track record in nanometre-thin high-k dielectrics.
The research on the gate stack for the 22 nm CMOS technology node was recognised as a significant achievement in the European Commission final review (2009). I have coordinated several projects funded by the Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC), including:
- Resonant tunnelling nanostructures for terahertz energy harvesting.
- Interface engineering in germanium-based devices.
- Doped ZnO films for transparent electronics.
- Rare-earth oxides on compound semiconductors.
My recent research interests are on next-generation semiconductors — including GaN, SiC, and diamond — for space applications, with a particular focus on developing Schottky barrier diodes and transistors capable of operating at high efficiencies and high frequencies for space-based solar power. I have published over 180 scientific papers in refereed journals and conference proceedings and delivered more than thirty talks at premier international conferences across Europe and the USA.
Professional Service and Leadership
I am a Steering Committee Member of the EPSRC eFutures Network+ on Electronic Systems (2019–2026), a Senior Member of IEEE (since 2014), and a member of the European SINANO Network of Excellence in Nanoelectronics (since 2008).
I serve on several national and international committees and advisory boards related to semiconductor research and development. Notably, I am a Technical Committee Member for the IEEE Andrew S. Grove Award, which recognises outstanding contributions to solid-state devices and technology.
Over the past two years, I have been actively involved in the International Cooperation on Semiconductors (ICOS) European project, collaborating with leaders from Europe, India, the USA, Japan, Taiwan, and South Korea.
Advocacy and Outreach
I am a strong advocate for a sustainable, renewable energy transition. In 2022, I hosted the EPSRC eFutures Network+ conference — Electronics for Sustainable Societies — which attracted a critical mass of national and international research leaders in the field.
Through the eFutures+ network, I have spearheaded the Women’s Pilot Programme (2023–present), organising four major events to date in Liverpool, Edinburgh, Belfast, and Fermanagh. This initiative has been recognised by EPSRC as a flagship Equality, Diversity, and Inclusion (EDI) project.
Find out more about Ivona here.