Continuing our series on the latest EW BrightSparks of 2024, we profile Ethan Wilkinson, a UKESF Scholar who is an Engineering Student (MEng) at the University of Birmingham with an internship at EDA Solutions.
Achievements
At EDA Solutions, in his inaugural year in the semiconductor industry, Ethan immersed himself in supporting customers across a range of advanced technologies, including RF, Photonics, Digital/Mixed Signal, and Analog domains, he told us. This was confirmed by his manager at EDA Solutions, who provided a glowing refence for Ethan’s impact. He told us Ethan had “consistently demonstrated exceptional technical skills, an unwavering commitment to excellence, and a proactive approach to problem-solving”.
He also highlighted Ethan’s dedication to promoting the field of Electronic Engineering to young students.
One of his most notable achievements, his manager shared, includes aiding in the development of the first electro-optical co-simulator, in a collaborative project involving a European photonics foundry and a tools vendor. Ethan was instrumental in setting up the PDK and design environment in Siemens software, we learned, – verifying simulations, and packaging the design with comprehensive documentation and setup scripts using languages like TCL and Python. Furthermore, we learned, he created a prototype hard-coded simulator to showcase the system’s capabilities.
Ethan also helped with training, his manager told us:
“In addition to his technical prowess, Ethan completed extensive training across various areas to better support our customers and enhance his personal development. His training spanned multiple tools and platforms, including S-Edit, L-Edit (Basic, Advanced, MEMS), AFS, T-Spice, Calibre, Symphony, Tanner Digital Implementor, Solido Design Environment, and Amazon Web Services. This extensive knowledge has allowed Ethan to provide exceptional support and solutions to our clients.”
Basically, Ethan’s initiative in creating programmes to automate workflow helped increase operational efficiency. His contributions to documentation and marketing were also described as “invaluable”. For example, Ethan created concise “Two-Minute” videos to highlight key software features, produced documentation to address frequently asked customer questions, and adapted content for various events involving the company.
Ethan also represented EDA Solutions at the ECIO 2024 show, where he promoted the company’s Photonics/MEMS capabilities, presented new features for the curved design market, and helped generate leads for potential collaborative projects. His participation as a gold-tier sponsor underscored his dedication and ability to engage effectively with industry professionals.
In summary, tribute was paid to his “technical acumen, innovative approach, dedication to professional and personal growth, and commitment to community outreach.”
Community
On the subject of community, we learned that Ethan has dedicated a significant amount of his time to engaging with younger people for STEM activities, particularly focusing on inspiring young students to pursue careers in electronics and semiconductor technologies. For example, his efforts have span a range of activities, from school visits to organising work experiences and volunteering at educational events.
One of his key initiatives, Ethan shared, has been visiting schools. These range from those with students as young as four years old to secondary schools and sixth form colleges. During the visits, he participated in activities designed to spark an interest in electronics among young students. For example, hands-on demonstrations and interactive sessions where students can engage with basic electronic components and understand their applications.
Ethan told us:
“Some of these activities include guessing the number of transistors on a wafer (best guess wins an Arduino starter kit), Snap Circuits (particularly aimed at younger students) as well as Arduino Grove Kits. I am currently building a new demo which involved pre-built logic circuits which can be rearranged to help students realise how logic gates can do computing. By making these sessions fun and informative, I aim to plant the seeds of curiosity and excitement about the field of electronics.”
One of his proudest events, he told us, was attending a Women in STEM day where he had a stall set up. Students at the Hilcrest Girls School could come and speak to him about how he got into electronics and what EDA Solutions does. As well as talk in the breaks, he went into classes for hands-on activities. The students built wind turbines with a small motor connected and had to make design choices of gear size and number, size and angle of the blades. They then competed to see who could get the highest voltage when blowing a fan at the turbine.
“Getting the students to engage throughout the day with plenty of opportunities to ask questions helped clarify the route the students could take into STEM/Electronics as well as inspiring the ones who had not considered it was possible.”
Another example of Ethan’s community work involves the UKESF. In collaboration with the educational charity’s CEO, Stew Edmondson, Ethan delivered a day of outreach at the University of Bangor, specifically targeting students aged 14-17. Together, they conducted Arduino labs with Grove Kits, where students could build simple circuits and program microcontrollers.
“This hands-on experience was crucial in demonstrating the practical and creative aspects of electronics, showing students how theoretical concepts are applied in real-world scenarios. Our goal was to demystify the subject and encourage more students to consider careers in semiconductors.”
Another example of STEM engagement that Ethan shared was planning a week-long work experience for a year 10 student. The programme was designed in detail to provide a comprehensive overview of the electronics industry. It included shadowing engineers, discussing topics of electronics, and completing small projects under supervision. This immersive experience aimed to give the student a clear understanding of what a career in electronics entails and to inspire them to pursue it further.
Finally, Ethan volunteered as a judge for the Young Coders competition organised by stem.org. This role involved evaluating projects created by young students, providing feedback, and encouraging their efforts in coding and electronics. Judging this competition allowed him to interact with enthusiastic young minds and support their growth in STEM fields. It was an excellent opportunity to inspire and recognise the achievements of budding technologists, he told us.
Congratulations to Ethan Wilkinson!
See also: Elektra Awards 2024 – The Winners
