The 3 P's I live by:
Plan
Prepare
Perfect
Hello World! 👋
I'm Sesha Gopal Selvakumar, and I am currently doing my MSc in Micro- and Nanotechnology at Technische Universität Ilmenau.
Designing, fabricating and characterising sensors is my profession, but coding to solve problems is my passion.
In my free time, I read books (currently reading Principles by Ray Dalio), go on hikes, workout, improve my chess skills by solving puzzles, and travel. I also write stuff (albeit rarely) - check it out here!
Experience 💼
Research assistant
Technische Universität Ilmenau
Ilmenau, Germany | Mar. 2024 - Present
- Projects:
- Memristive Werkstoffe für die neuromorphie Elektronik (MemWerk): More about the project
- KeraMiQ: More about the project
Master thesis student
Bosch Research
Renningen, Germany | May. 2024 - Present
- Topic: Effect of Atomic Layer Etching (ALE) on gallium nitride (GaN) MOSCAPs
- Systematically conducted a thorough literature review on atomic layer etching (ALE) of gallium nitride (GaN) surfaces and determined parameters for reasonable comparisons
- Developed the process flow for the atomic layer etching of GaN surfaces
- Fabricated n-type GaN MOSCAPs by employing the following methods:
- Etching: Reactive Ion Etching (ICP-RIE), ALE, wet chemical etching of GaN wafers
- Lithography: Spin coating, exposure + development, baking, resist strip (O2 plasma strip/ wet chemical strip), spin drying
- Metrology: Optical + infrared microscope, ellipsometer (deposition thickness), profilometer (etch depth and etch rate determination), prober (CV-curves)
- Deposition: Contact metal deposition on GaN wafers by plasma sputtering
- Simulated the damage depth on a GaN surface by bombardment of argon and chlorine ions using SRIM and Python (Pysrim + Jupyter Notebook)
- Generated wafer maps using Python (Plotly + Jupyter Notebook, Origin) to visualize the peak intensity, FWHM and composition rate from photoluminescence measurements
- Systematically documented results for further research
Working Student (full-time)
Bosch
Reutlingen, Germany | Jan. 2024 - Mar. 2024
- Measurements:
- Parameter variance pre and post-drop testing for airbag sensors
- Table-top measurements to study memory failure of the ASIC at high currents
- Acceleration recovery and non-linearity measurements using the centrifuge
- Evaluation (Python, Matlab, and LUA):
- Aided in the development of an inverse testing algorithm to test and trim sensors using Matlab
- Analyzed startup and sensor response by writing data into the NVM using SPI and Logic2 to visualize the timing diagrams
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Employed JupyterLab and various python modules to visualize:
- Non-linearity and recovery parameters from centrifuge measurements
- Drift in various parameters for sensors post drop testing
- BITE data for different duty cycles for defective sensors
- Documentation:
- Documented the results from various tests such as non linearity and drop tests systematically using Jira for future reference
- Prepared powerpoint presentations of the drift plots from the drop test
Research & development intern
Bosch
Reutlingen, Germany | Jul. 2023 - Dec. 2023
- Measurements:
- BITE test parameters over a range of temperatures using the tilting table
- Impedance and temperature measurements for piezoelectric ultrasonic transducers
- A-Sample trimming for low-g RNC sensors using the tilting table
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Table-top measurements to measure and characterize the following:
- Spectral noise density
- Memory failure
- Channel crosstalk
- BITE for various configurations
- Fall tests and snap tests followed by examination of IR images to investigate the structural integrity of the comb structures of the MEMS
- Evaluation (Python, Matlab, and LUA):
- BITE test parameters over a range of temperatures using the tilting table
- Impedance and temperature measurements for piezoelectric ultrasonic transducers
- A-Sample trimming for low-g RNC sensors using the tilting table
-
Employed JupyterLab and various python modules to visualize:
- BITE values for low-g sensors at different duty cycles
- Offset, sensitivity, noise and BITE test variability for high-g, low-g acceleration, and pressure sensors
- Measurement sockets to detect defects in communication
- Sensor register values from the NVM to evaluate the efficacy of the measurement process
- Sensor register values before and after trimming to evaluate the efficacy of the measurement process
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Wrote python scripts to:
- automatically copy new data to shared folders periodically
- extract and organize measurement data from .txt files and export them into .xlsx for easier sorting and further analysis
- restore faulty .TDMS files post-measurements
- Developed Matlab scripts and functions to visualize BITE data for low-g sensors
- Wrote LUA scripts to read and analyze sensor register data for channel crosstalk and memory failure
- Design and development:
- Designed an aluminum structure using AutoCAD to solve contact issues with measurement sockets, thereby preventing further expenses
- Documentation:
- Documented C# functions in the measurement profiles for reference in case of anomalies during measurements
- Documented results from various tests such as spectral noise density and BITE repeatability
Student Research Assistant
Technische Universität Ilmenau
Ilmenau, Germany | May 2023 - Jun. 2023
- Part of the xMEN project (eXtremely sensitive Magneto Electric Nitride-based sensor)
- Performed the characterization of AlScN thin films using a scanning electron microscope to study the effect of different concentrations of scandium
- Documented the results systematically for further analysis
Software development intern
TIF Labs Pvt Ltd
Bangalore, India | Jan. 2020 - Mar. 2020
- Visitor Management System: Designed and developed a clean, user-friendly UI that allows visitors to check-in securely using an OTP-based authentication and be assigned to a respective associate for further consultancy using ReactJS and Apollo client for GraphQL
- RPA Desktop Application: Fabricated and developed the UI for an automation-based application for Windows using ReactJS
- Catalog Web Portal: Developed the "forgot password" and "password reset" functionality for the flagship web portal product using ReactJS and GraphQL
- Quality control and documentation: Performed rigorous testing of the Alphacare website and documented errors in a systematic manner
Academia 🎓
MSc. Micro- and Nanotechnology
Technische Universität Ilmenau
Ilmenau, Germany | Oct. 2021 - Present
- CGPA: 1,71
- Courses: Nanotechnology, Advanced packaging technology, electronics technology, microsystems, semiconductor devices, neuromorphic engineering, thin films and surfaces
- We4You Tutor:
- Helped incoming students navigate through their first weeks at the university without any hassles
- Organised several events such as the We4You Game Night, Easter Egg Hunt, Bowling, Ice skating, Hike to Steinbruch Ilmenau-Manebach
- Organiser - Indian Cultural Organisation (ICO), supported by KuKo.ev
B.E. Electrical and Electronics Engineering
BMS Institute of Technology and Management
Bangalore, India | Aug. 2016 - Nov. 2020
- Courses: Control systems, Digital System Processing, Digital System Design, PowerSystem Analysis, Analog Electrical Circuits, Electrical Circuit Analysis, Electric Motors
- Presented and published a review paper at the ICEPES 2021 conference - Read it here!
- Event Organiser - Vidyut 2018
- Fundings:
- 45,000 for our final year project | Retrofit of a conventional auto-rickshaw into an e-auto
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Awards and achievements:
- Best poster presented from among 23 other teams (Cash prize of 1500)
- Most Innovative Project (Cash prize of 1500)
- 2nd Prize - Battle of Bands | Kalanjali 2017
- Winners - Freshers Quiz 2016
Pre-University (Physics, Chemistry, Mathematics + Electronics)
CMR National PU College
Bangalore, India | Jun. 2014 - Apr. 2016
- Percentage: 90.5%
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Awards and achievements:
- Selfless Contribution Awards
- 1st Prize - MADS (college-wide Math Quiz)
- 1st Prize - Carrom Doubles
- 1st Prize - Mookabhinay (Group mime)
- 3rd Prize - Indian Music | Magnachrista CJC 2014
- 3rd Prize - Spell Bee | Magnachrista CJC 2014
