Cornell University welcomed more than 180 researchers, students, industry partners and federal leaders to Ithaca July 22–23 for the 2026 SUPREME Annual Review, a two‑day gathering focused on advancing the next generation of energy‑efficient electronics. The event, part of the national JUMP 2.0 consortium, showcased scientific breakthroughs while offering students — from children to undergraduate and graduate researchers and postdoctoral scholars — opportunities to engage with leaders in the semiconductor industry.

Hosted at the Ithaca Downtown Conference Center, the review marked SUPREME’s largest turnout to date, reflecting growing national urgency around reducing the energy demands of AI, data centers and advanced electronics.

“We are bombarded with news about AI data centers and increasing electricity bills,” said Grace Xing, SUPREME co‑director and William L. Quackenbush Professor of Engineering. “There is no shortage of need for better energy‑efficient materials and devices in the era of AI.”

A multigenerational community steps into the semiconductor world

The review opened with lab tours, hands‑on demonstrations and a challenge‑course scavenger hunt designed to welcome attendees to Cornell’s research ecosystem. One of the most popular stops was the Cornell NanoScale Science and Technology Facility’s (CNF) virtual‑reality experience, where visitors — including several children — explored nanoscale fabrication tools through immersive VR.

"Having the CNF VR content available at the Supreme Annual Review presented a unique opportunity for attendees to be immersed in the CNF cleanroom facility where much of this important research happens. The content is applicable to a wide learning audience, so I was happy to have some ‘future scientists’ try out the experience," said Thomas Pennell, workforce development program manager at CNF.

Students played a central role throughout the event. Fourteen Research Experience for Undergraduates (REU) students presented posters, while dozens of graduate students and postdocs from all 28 research groups that comprise SUPREME shared results. Sponsors spent dedicated time with students, offering mentorship and feedback.

Scientific momentum toward energy‑efficient computing and communication

During their presentations, researchers shared advances in materials and devices designed to reduce the energy footprint of modern electronics in the AI era. Talks highlighted breakthrough results in wide bandgap semiconductor devices for radio frequency (RF) communication and power delivery, 2D materials, novel memory concepts, new interconnect materials and AI-accelerated materials discovery. In the interactive Q&A sessions that followed, researchers and sponsors discussed how these findings could reshape the future of computing systems.

Industry partners underscored the importance of this work.

“The energy demands of AI are growing faster than anyone expected,” said Ted Letavic, senior fellow at GlobalFoundries. “The innovations coming out of SUPREME are exactly what the industry needs.”

A new career expo connects students and sponsors

For the first time, SUPREME worked closely with the Semiconductor Research Corporation (SRC) to introduce a mini career fair, replacing traditional panels with conversations between students and company representatives. Recruiters from Intel, IBM, Micron, TSMC, GlobalFoundries, EMD Electronics, Samsung, SK Hynix, ADI, Qorvo, RTX and other companies met with students to discuss internships and career pathways.

SUPREME co‑director and MIT professor Tomas Palacios emphasized the importance of early industry exposure in shaping students’ career paths.

“Summer internships, both at the undergraduate level and the graduate level, are absolutely critical in the decision‑making,” said Palacios.

The event builds on SUPREME’s strong workforce record to date:

• 45 full‑time hires into JUMP 2.0 member companies
• 61 industry internships with JUMP 2.0 member companies
• 212 graduate students and postdocs supported across the center

Preparing for the final year of JUMP 2.0 and the semiconductor future

The review also addressed the program’s upcoming transition. As the leading institution of SUPREME, Cornell brings together eight principal investigators on campus whose work spans the Center's four research thrusts. SUPREME is one of seven centers within JUMP 2.0, the national flagship program advancing microelectronics research, and Cornell's involvement extends further still: more than 10 additional faculty members contribute to other JUMP 2.0 centers, underscoring the university's broad leadership across the national semiconductor research agenda.

“This community has built something extraordinary,” Xing said. “The collaborations, the discoveries, the students — it all points toward a future where electronic systems can be dramatically more energy‑efficient.”

Hosting the 2026 Annual Review placed Cornell at the center of this collaboration during a pivotal moment for the semiconductor ecosystem. With new capabilities emerging across materials, devices and systems — and with students engaged at every step — SUPREME continues to demonstrate how universities and industry can work together to accelerate innovation.