My name is Emma Kemppinen, and I participated in the SemiSummer* internship program this past summer.

I’m enrolled in the Master’s Program in Chemistry and Materials Science at Aalto University. When I initially started the program, I thought about specializing in polymers and bio-related applications. However, during my first year of studies, the courses related to semiconductors were particularly interesting and well-organized, so I ended up exploring the field further. At the same time, I applied for the SemiSummer program in the spring, and after receiving a summer job offer, my academic focus on semiconductors was also reinforced.

I learned about SemiSummer while browsing Aalto’s summer job opportunities and was pleasantly surprised that there were positions available even from the chemistry side since I had previously thought that semiconductor research mainly emphasized electrical engineering. Overall, over the past year, the semiconductor field has opened up to me in a completely new way as I’ve realized how many opportunities it offers in chemistry and materials science.

My project during the summer was to modify the surface of a silicon wafer using microstructures so that it would repel all liquids, regardless of whether they were oil, solvents, or water. The structures I aimed for during the summer were pillars made of silicon and silicon dioxide with a “mushroom-like” cap. My work involved a lot of using and optimizing various lithography and etching equipment, as well as imaging and characterizing samples – my final process had nearly 10 different steps. The beginning of my summer job was mainly spent on equipment training, but after I got up to speed, most of the remaining time was dedicated to optimizing one process step at a time. Throughout the summer, I learned not only how to use processing equipment and general lab skills but also how to manage my own project, which boosted my confidence in my research work. Other members of the research group were a great help during the summer, but there were also moments when I had to make decisions myself and trust in my own expertise.

In addition to my own project, I also performed sample characterization for the research work of Murata’s Process Development Technology Specialist Saara Hakanen. For example, I became familiar with contact angle measurements and gained insight into what research collaboration between academia and companies is like. It is also inspiring to see materials science experts in the industry.

The SemiSummer program was not just a financial supporter during the summer; it included events with other SemiSummer participants and representatives from companies, as well as company visits. The company visits were really interesting, and I learned a lot of new information about each company’s operations. Overall, it felt like the visits and joint events gave me a much better understanding of the semiconductor field and the opportunities it brings to the industry. For instance, when visiting Murata, I was able to see firsthand how sensors are made from silicon wafers into sensors ready for testing and packaging.

My future plans have been reshaped over the last year, and they now strongly seem to lead towards the semiconductor field. Next spring, I plan to study abroad in South Korea, after which I would be working on my master’s thesis – hopefully in the area of semiconductors.

I also participated in an interview about SemiSummer after the summer; you can read it on Aalto’s website.

Emma Kemppinen
Student at Aalto University & participant in the SemiSummer 2024

* SemiSummer is a joint summer employment campaign between semiconductor industry companies and Aalto University, now organized for two consecutive years. Applied Materials, Bosch Nordic, KYOCERA Technologies, Murata, and Okmetic have made annual donations that have allowed Aalto University to provide summer job placements for students in the School of Electrical Engineering, the School of Chemical Engineering, and the School of Science.