Taste of Tech: Digital Twin of Electronic Devices for Lifetime Prediction based on Coupled Atomic-Transport | The Economic Benefits of Data Centers in Florida
Time and Date
5/04/2026
11:45 AM – 1:45 PM (EST)
Agenda
Lunch: 11:45 – 12:00 | Talk 1: 12:00 – 12:20 | Talk 2: 12:20 – 12:40 |Networking: 12:40 – 1
Talk 1: Digital Twin of Electronic Devices for Lifetime Prediction based on Coupled Atomic-Transport
Presentation Overview: This talk presents a materials-science framework for digital twins of electronic devices by linking four coupled layers: atomic transport physics, interconnect microstructure, degradation evolution, and data-driven lifetime prediction. Electromigration, thermomigration, chemical potential gradients, and stress-driven transport govern coupled mass redistribution. These processes are mediated by grain structure, interfaces, and diffusion pathways, which control void nucleation, damage accumulation, and resistance evolution. By integrating physics-based models with operational and health-monitoring data, the digital twin enables mechanism-based prediction of performance degradation, remaining useful life, and device lifetime beyond empirical approaches.
Yongho Sohn
About the Speaker
Dr. Yongho Sohn is a Pegasus Professor and Lockheed Martin Professor of Engineering in the Materials Science and Engineering Department at University of Central Florida (UCF). He received his B.S. with honors and M.S. from Worcester Polytechnic Institute. He graduated in 1999 with Ph.D. from Purdue University, and spent two years as a post-doctoral research scholar at the University of Connecticut. He joined UCF in 2001 as an assistant professor to pursue his research and teaching interests in metallic alloy powder processing and additive manufacturing, diffusion under multiple gradients, microstructural analysis and control, metallic/ceramic coatings for high temperature applications, and metal-matrix composites. He is an elected Fellow of ASM International (FASM), recipient of NSF CAREER Award (2003), Outstanding Materials Engineer Award from Purdue University (2016), KSEA Engineer of the Year Award (2020), UCF Excellence in Research Award (2024). He is a Deputy Editor for Journal of Phase Equilibria and Diffusion (Springer), and a member editorial board for Metallurgical and Materials Transactions (Springer). Details on his research and mentoring activities can be found at http://mse.ucf.edu/sohn.
Talk 2: The Economic Benefits of Data Centers in Florida
Presentation Overview: Florida is at a pivotal moment in the digital economy, where data centers are becoming as essential as roads, ports, and power plants. This presentation will focus on the economic development opportunity they represent for our state—bringing billions in capital investment, high-quality jobs, and long-term local tax revenue—while addressing many of the misconceptions that often surround them. From the perspective of Associated Industries of Florida, we’ll walk through what data centers actually mean for communities, separate fact from fiction on issues like energy use and local impacts, and discuss how smart, balanced policy can ensure Florida remains competitive in attracting this next generation of infrastructure.
Adam Basford
About the Speaker
Adam Basford serves as Vice President of Governmental Affairs at Associated Industries of Florida (AIF), where he leads advocacy efforts on behalf of the state’s diverse business community. He joined AIF in December 2021, bringing nearly two decades of experience in state and federal policy, stakeholder engagement, and strategic legislative advocacy.
Prior to AIF, Basford spent 17 years with the Florida Farm Bureau Federation, most recently as Director of Legislative Affairs. In that role, he represented agricultural interests before the Florida Legislature and state agencies, shaping policy on issues ranging from land use and water to taxation and economic development. He previously served as Director of National Affairs and Assistant Director of Agricultural Policy, building deep expertise across multiple levels of government.
Basford holds a master’s degree in Agricultural Communications from the University of Florida and a bachelor’s degree in Organizational Communications from the University of West Florida.