Institute for Materials and Manufacturing Research

Ohio State & MMEC Midwest Infrared Semiconductor Technology (MIST) Workshop

MIST 2025 attendees gather for group photo outside the Blackwell Inn at Ohio State.

The Midwest Infrared Semiconductor Technology (MIST) Workshop: From Atoms to Arrays is a new, high-impact regional gathering designed to energize the future of the Electro-Optics and Infrared (EO/IR) field. This two-day, in-person event brings together the nation's brightest emerging engineers with top minds in defense, government, academia, and industry to explore innovations in EO/IR and strengthen the domestic talent pipeline.

 

Hosted by The Ohio State University College of Engineering and the Midwest Microelectronics Consortium (MMEC), with support from the Institute for Materials and Manufacturing Research (IMR), the MIST Workshop directly supports strategic priorities of the DoD, the State of Ohio, and MMEC to develop next-generation technical leaders in microelectronics and sensing technologies.

Location: Blackwell Inn and Conference Center, Ohio State Columbus Campus

Dates: TBA

 

View the previous MIST agenda here.

Workshop Goals

  • Address a Critical Workforce Challenge: Tackle the aging EO/IR workforce by inspiring and recruiting top-tier undergraduates to pursue graduate research careers aligned with national security priorities.
  • Showcase the EO/IR Technology Stack: Offer immersive experiences: from detectors and ROICs to cryo-cooling systems and software processing, through talks, demos, and lab tours.
  • Facilitate Connections: Create opportunities for students, faculty, and industry/government stakeholders to connect around internships, jobs, and collaborative research.

What to Expect

  • Keynotes and Technical Talks from leaders in DoD, AFRL, and academia
  • Hands-on Experiences including IR scavenger hunts, live demos, and facility tours
  • Industry and Government Panels exploring the future of EO/IR innovation
  • Career Networking Opportunities including a job/internship fair and reverse poster session
  • Experiential Learning tailored to show the “full stack” of EO/IR systems development—from materials growth to system deployment

Who Should Attend

  • Undergraduate students (junior/senior) interested in MS/PhD pathways in EO/IR
  • MS/PhD researchers in electro-optics, photonics, sensing, and semiconductor devices
  • Industry partners and government labs looking to recruit or collaborate
  • Faculty, postdocs, and research mentors across EO/IR domains
  • U.S. persons (citizens and permanent residents)