Supriyo Datta stands as a preeminent figure in quantum transport theory and nanoelectronics, holding the distinguished position of Thomas Duncan Distinguished Professor of Electrical and Computer Engineering at Purdue University. Born in Dibrugarh, India in 1954, he completed his BTech at the Indian Institute of Technology Kharagpur in 1975, where he received the President of India Gold Medal. He pursued graduate studies at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, earning his MS in 1977 and PhD in 1979 with a thesis on guided acoustic waves in piezoelectric solids. Joining Purdue University in 1981, he established himself as a foundational researcher in quantum transport theory and has maintained his distinguished professorship since 1999 while previously directing the NASA Institute for Nanoelectronics and Computing until 2007.
Datta pioneered the non-equilibrium Green function (NEGF) method, a transformative approach for describing quantum transport that has become the standard framework both in academic research and semiconductor industry design tools worldwide. His theoretical work introducing spin-orbit coupling as a means to control electron spin with electric fields rather than magnetic fields has revolutionized spintronics and provided critical foundations for quantum computing applications. His innovative proposals have catalyzed entirely new research directions including molecular thermoelectricity and negative capacitance devices, demonstrating his remarkable ability to anticipate and shape emerging technological frontiers. The profound impact of his work is evident in its widespread adoption across the semiconductor industry, where major companies rely on his theoretical frameworks for computer-aided design of next-generation electronic devices.
Beyond his technical contributions, Datta has profoundly influenced the field through his exceptional ability to communicate complex concepts across disciplinary boundaries, authoring influential textbooks and pioneering online educational resources that have trained generations of researchers. His recognition with the William Procter Prize for Scientific Achievement highlights his unique capacity to bridge theoretical physics with practical engineering applications while maintaining exceptional clarity in exposition. As a dual member of both the National Academy of Engineering (2012) and National Academy of Sciences (2024), his legacy continues to expand as he develops new frameworks for probabilistic computing using p-bits. His current research directions focus on extending quantum transport principles to novel computing paradigms, ensuring his ongoing influence in shaping the future of nanoelectronics and quantum information science.
