TROY Electronics Engineering Technology Faculty awarded $394K NSF grant for student learning apps development

Troy University Electronics Engineering Technology faculty have secured a competitive, $394,429 National Science Foundation (NSF) grant that will aid in the development of visual learning apps for STEM students not just at TROY, but for higher learning institutions nationwide.

Dr. Raj Vinnakota, Associate Chair of the Department of Chemistry and Physics, and Dr. Shaimum Shahriar, Assistant Professor of Chemistry and Physics, were awarded the Improving Undergraduate STEM Education grant to develop easy-to-use, interactive simulation apps for teaching optoelectronics. This initiative aims to transform how complex concepts in optoelectronics and semiconductor physics are taught across higher education institutions across the nation.

“This NSF grant is a significant achievement, awarded to institutions offering STEM-related undergraduate programs across the country,” said Dr. Zhiyong Wang, Chair of the Department of Chemistry and Physics. “The ingenuity and dedication of Drs. Vinnakota and Shahriar have brought national recognition to Troy University. This project aligns with the University’s vision of becoming an R2 research institution while making critical contributions to STEM education and research.”

The grant, titled “Using Multiphysics Simulations to Promote Engaged Student Learning in Optoelectronics,” allows Vinnakota and Shahriar to create a series of apps that will give students the ability to visualize concepts and provides additional hands-on learning opportunities instead of simply learning through lectures and experiments.

“Semiconductors form the backbone of modern devices, yet understanding their internal interactions with light energy presents a significant challenge,” Vinnakota said. “Traditional teaching methods often fall short in conveying these complex processes. In today’s digital era, we have access to advanced computational tools—why not harness them to enhance learning?”

The objective of the grant is to create simulations that will act as a bridge between the class environment and the experimental, Shahriar said. With this tool, students will be able to improve conceptual learning by providing a visual, hands-on approach to studying light interactions with electronic and thermal systems.

 “Students not only grasp theoretical concepts but also engage in realistic, hands-on exploration of light-semiconductor interactions,” he said. “This approach fosters experiential learning and prepares students for future research and industry roles.”

The end goal for the project is to develop nearly 50 art simulation models, then convert those models into apps.

“The apps allow users to change a few parameters, like the material properties, wavelength and frequency,” Vinnakota said. “It’s important that users have the ability to modify the simulation to better understand how these changes impact device behavior, offering insights into the underlying physics.”

Once the apps are created and launched, they can be accessed not only by TROY students taking opto-electronic or semiconductor classes, they will be available to students from any university.

“Many institutions don’t have the resources to create or support extensive lab facilities,” Shahriar said. “These simulation apps provide an accessible alternative, enabling remote access and fostering collaboration with institutions nationwide.”

“These are not animations created simply for understanding,” Vinnakota added. “They are realistic, physics-driven simulations that generate meaningful data. By validating our models with experimental results, we can ensure their accuracy and applicability in both academic and research contexts.”

In addition to serving as a teaching tool, the professors want the app to serve in a research capacity as well. Once it is established and functional, the plan is to have students in Capstone courses use the simulations to design and test new devices.

“This initiative is not just about enhancing classroom learning,” Shahriar. “It’s about creating a versatile tool that advances research, supports experimentation, and fosters innovation. By integrating education and research, this project will have a lasting impact on the STEM community.”

Vinnakota and Shahriar are collaborating with Grambling State University and Utah Tech, along with other TROY physics faculty, in developing and testing the simulations and user interface before launch. TROY faculty will work with Utah Tech to develop and refine simulations and user interfaces, while GSU will play a vital role in testing and gathering feedback from instructors and students.

Vinnakota, who also serves as the Interim Director of the Center for Materials and Manufacturing Sciences (CMMS), said this grant also supports the University’s broader goal of promoting computational research in materials science.

“Through interactive simulation tools, we integrate simulations with experiments, enhance workforce training in numerical modelling, and drive innovation in semiconductor research, strengthening industry and academic collaborations,” he added.

About the Electronics Engineering Technology program

The Electronics Engineering Technology degree program primarily focuses on instilling knowledge, skills and solid foundation in fundamental theory and principles in electronics circuits and devices, microcontrollers and robotics. It is housed within the School of Science and Technology, which falls under the umbrella of the College of Arts and Sciences.

 About the National Science Foundation

The U.S. National Science Foundation is an independent federal agency that supports science and engineering in all 50 states and U.S. territories. The NSF was established in 1950 by Congress to promote the progress of science, advance the national health, prosperity and welfare and secure the national defense.