John F. Muth

John F. Muth

Progress Energy Distinguished Professor of Electrical and Computer Engineering at North Carolina State University. Director of the CLAWS Microelectronics Commons Hub and former U.S. Navy submarine officer. Served in Iraq during 2008-2009, leading security initiatives for the Iraqi Ministry of Interior.

Education

• Ph.D. in Condensed Matter Physics, NC State University (1998)
• B.S. in Applied Engineering Physics, Cornell University (1988)

Research Interests

Focuses on optoelectronic properties of wide-bandgap semiconductors, including GaN and Ga₂O₃, and their applications in LEDs, lasers, power electronics, and underwater optical communications. Active in wearable electronics (ASSIST ERC), semiconductor manufacturing (PowerAmerica), and nanofabrication.

Awards & Honors

• Bronze Star Medal (2009)
• Office of Naval Research Young Investigator Award (2003)
• 2022 Outstanding Research Award
• Frontiers of Science Award (2004)

Advising & Grants

Principal Investigator for CLAWS Hub ($39.4M DOD award), PowerAmerica, and NSF ERC ASSIST. Advised student spinoffs via SBIR/STTR programs and cooperative R&D agreements. Mentors NC State’s underwater robotics club.

Labs & Teams

Directed NCSU Nanofabrication Facility. Co-founded ASSIST ERC. Collaborates with DoD, National Labs, and industry through CLAWS Hub.