The C2N is very proud to have been one of the host laboratories for the program Optics in the City of Light – Research Experience for Undergraduates (REU), which offers U.S. undergraduate students the opportunity to gain hands-on experience in cutting-edge research within laboratories of the Paris region.

Among them was Hannah Lias, a student at the South Dakota School of Mines and Technology. For two months, under the supervision of Sophie Bouchoule and Jules Duraz, Hannah worked at C2N on an exciting project : the design and fabrication of thin-film micro-LEDs for integration into an ultra-flexible electronic circuit.

The goal of this work, carried out at C2N in collaboration with UMI Georgia Tech-Europe and the Institut de l’Audition, is to develop a prototype of an ultra-compact and flexible optical cochlear implant. This device aims to study direct light-based stimulation of hearing, an approach that could ultimately significantly improve the performance of hearing implants.

At the end of her internship, Hannah presented her work in the form of a whiteboard summary, highlighting both the quality of her research and her strong commitment to this promising project.

The Optics in the City of Light – Research Experience for Undergraduates (REU) program is coordinated by Steven Yalisove from the University of Michigan and supported by the National Science Foundation (NSF). We warmly acknowledge all the American and French coordinators of this program, which fosters new research collaborations and helps inspire and nurture the scientific talents of tomorrow.

Figure : image of operating LEDs