Kensall D. Wise: Michigan, MEMS and Microsystems

Catharine June • September 2, 2012
This retrospective of Kensall D. Wise, William G. Dow Distinguished University Professor Emeritus, provides a view of how he built a world-class program in MicroElectroMechanical Systems (MEMS).
Kensall D. Wise Enlarge
Ken Wise outside the Lurie Nanofabrication Facility

Kensall D. Wise, William G. Dow Distinguished University Professor Emeritus of Electrical Engineering and Computer Science, officially retired in June, 2011, though he continues to participate in ongoing research projects – giving his colleagues hope that he will never truly retire.

When Ken came to the University of Michigan from Bell Labs in 1974, he envisioned working with students and colleagues to expand his doctoral research in the use of silicon micromachining for neural probes. As the first hire in his field, the challenges were
enormous – but Michigan now had Ken, and Michigan became Ken’s playground.

With his unique combination of boundless enthusiasm, inventiveness, practicality, focus on teamwork and education, and dogged determination, he built a world-class program in MEMS (MicroElectroMechanical Systems) and microsystems that is supported by one of the top nanofabrication facilities in the nation.

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