​Ren Li is a Ph.D. candidate working under the supervision of Prof. Hossein Fariborzi in Electrical Engineering program, division of Computer, Electrical and Mathematical Sciences and Engineering (CEMSE), King Abdullah University of Science and Technology (KAUST) in Saudi Arabia. Prior to coming to KAUST, he received his Master's degree in Power Engineering, in August 2015 from the Electrical and Electronic Engineering Department, Nanyang Technological University (NTU) in Singapore with the award of Professional Engineers Board Gold Medal in the Academic year 2014-2015. He also received his Bachelor's degree in Electrical Engineering and its Automation from North China Electric Power University (NCEPU) in Beijing, China.

Research Interests

Ren's research interests include ​​Ultra-low power integrated circuits and systems, MEMS IC design and fabrication, Novel devices and schemes for next-generation computing.  

Selected Publications

M. A. A. Hafiz, R. Li, M. I. Younis, and H. Fariborzi. “A parity checker circuit based on microelectromechanical resonator logic elements”, Phys. Lett. A, 2017, vol. 381, no. 9, pp. 843-848. DOI: 10.1016/j.physleta.2017.01.017

R. Li and H. Fariborzi. “Ultra-Low Power Data Converters with BEOL NEM Relays” in IEEE 61st International Midwest Symposium on Circuits and Systems (MWSCAS), 2018. pp. 627-630. DOI: 10.1109/MWSCAS.2018.8623997

R. Li, R. Naous, H. Fariborzi and K. N. Salama. "Approximate Computing with Stochastic Transistors’ Voltage Over-scaling”, IEEE Access, vol. 7, pp. 6373-6385, 2019. DOI: 10.1109/ACCESS.2018.2889747 (Link to the short introduction video)

S. Ahmed, R. Li, X. Zou, M. A. A. Hafiz, and H. Fariborzi. "Modeling and Simulation of A MEMS Resonator Based Reprogrammable Logic Gate Using Partial Electrodes,” in Symposium on Design, Test, Integration and Packaging of MEMS/MOEMS (DTIP), 2019. DOI: 10.1109/DTIP.2019.8752880

R. Li, R. Alhadrami and H. Fariborzi. ”BEOL NEM Relay Based Sequential Logic Circuits” in 2019 IEEE International Symposium on Circuits and Systems (ISCAS), 2019. DOI: 10.1109/ISCAS.2019.8702123 (Link to the recorded presentation)

R. Li, D. Azhigulov, A. Allehyani and H. Fariborzi, "BEOL NEM Relay-Based Inductorless DC-DC Converters” in 2020 IEEE International Symposium on Circuits and Systems (ISCAS), 2020. DOI: 10.1109/ISCAS45731.2020.9181090 (Link to the recorded presentation)

R. Li and H. Fariborzi. “Design and Demonstration of MEM Relay-Based Arithmetic and Sequential Circuit Blocks”, IEEE Transactions on Electron Devices, 2021. DOI: 10.1109/TED.2021.3118663

Education Profile

• Nanyang Technological University, Singapore, M.SC. in Power Engineering​
• North China Electric Power University, Beijing, China, B.SC. in Electrical Engineering and Its Automation (Advanced Class)

Awards and Distinctions

• 2018: Create the Future Design Contest Honorable Mention (Electronics/Sensors/IoT Category) & Top 100 Entries​
• ​2018: KAUST Enrichment in the Spring ePoster Competition "Academic and Research" Winner
• 2018: Institute of Engineering and Technology "Present Around The World" Competition KAUST winner
• 2018: 1st International MEMS design contest Runner-up
• 2017: Middle East Energy "Future Generation" Competition Postgraduate Judge’s Choice Award Winner, People’s Choice Award Runner-up
• 2016: Falling Walls Lab KAUST Winner (Presentation at KAUST) (Presentation in Berlin)
• 2015: Professional Engineers Board Gold Medal, Singapore
• 2012: Outstanding Scholarship for Literature and Art Activities, North China Electric Power University, Beijing, China