Steven Droes, PhD

Senior Research Leader & Product Innovator, with manager-level experience in semiconductors, materials and devices, and LCD display manufacturing (Sharp & ON Semi). PhD in Chemical Engineering, with specialization in thin film processing/flat panel displays. Excellent communication, negotiation, facilitation, and relationship building skills coupled with strong customer empathy. Known for consulting with external business partners, designing new products to meet their needs (e.g. Thin film transistor backplanes) and creating new revenue streams for underused capacity. Supervised PhD scientists in development of new processing technologies, organic electronics for flexible displays, and new flat-panel antenna design and layout. Individual contributions have resulted in patents (14), refereed articles (10), and technology innovation. Set technical directions, developed collaborations, and optimized program efforts to create value for Sharp and partners. Effective in cross-cultural relations between Japanese large-area electronic manufacturing and U.S. Design teams. Led product development efforts in the areas of Fingerprint Sensors, Flat Panel X-ray detectors, and flat-panel antennas. Specialties include: Research and Development, Process Integration, Product development, Project Management, Technology Transfer,Thin films, Failure Analysis, Engineering Management, Design of Experiments, Business Development