Tomas Palacios

Tomas Palacios is a Professor of Electrical Engineering at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), where he directs the Center for Graphene Devices and 2D Systems and leads the Microsystems Technology Laboratories (MTL). His research focuses on pushing the boundaries of microelectronics through novel semiconductor materials and device architectures, including Gallium Nitride (GaN) and 2D materials like graphene and molybdenum disulfide (MoS2).

• Professor, MIT Electrical Engineering and Computer Science
• Director, MIT Center for Graphene Devices and 2D Systems
• Clarence J. LeBel Professor, MIT
• Faculty Director, Northeast Microelectronics Internship Program (NMIP)

Research Interests span multiple cutting-edge domains:

• High-frequency electronics (>300 GHz) for 6G and quantum applications
• High-voltage power devices (600V–10kV) for energy conversion
• Post-silicon logic devices using 2D materials
• High-temperature electronics (e.g., Venus rover applications)
• Distributed neural networks on large-area 2D materials
• Graphene-based biosensors and chemical detection systems

Scientific Contributions include:

• Double recipient of the IEEE George Smith Award for groundbreaking GaN transistor work
• Co-invented first MoS2 electronic circuits
• Developed world’s first Wi-Fi-to-electricity conversion antenna
• Led MIT’s Microsystems Technology Laboratories since 2021

Advising Philosophy emphasizes cross-layer expertise, with students gaining experience from materials synthesis to system-level prototyping. His lab has incubated startups like Vertical Horizons, focused on GaN power devices for AI and EVs.