Kun-Mu Chen
Taiwanese-American electrical engineer
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Kun-Mu Chen (Chinese: 陳坤木; February 3, 1933 – December 15, 2022) was a Taiwanese-American electrical engineer and professor emeritus at Michigan State University, where he founded the Electromagnetics Research Group.[1][2] He was a Life Fellow of the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE) and a Fellow of the American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS).[3] During his 40-year career at MSU, he developed the microwave life-detection system used by NASA to locate people buried under earthquake rubble.[1]
Harvard University (MS, PhD)
Electromagnetics research
Kun-Mu Chen | |
|---|---|
| Born | February 3, 1933 |
| Died | December 15, 2022 (aged 89) San Diego, California, U.S. |
| Alma mater | National Taiwan University (BS) Harvard University (MS, PhD) |
| Known for | Microwave life-detection systems Electromagnetics research |
| Awards | IEEE Life Fellow AAAS Fellow Richard M. Hong Endowed Chair |
| Scientific career | |
| Fields | Electrical engineering Electromagnetics |
| Institutions | Michigan State University University of Michigan |
| Thesis | Antennas Coupled to Open Wire Lines (1960) |
| Doctoral advisor | Ronold W. P. King |
| Doctoral students | Edward Rothwell |
Early life and education
Chen was born in Taipei, Taiwan, on February 3, 1933.[2][4] He graduated first in his class in electrical engineering from National Taiwan University in 1955.[1] Upon graduation, he was selected as one of two winners of the C.T. Loo Fellowship, which funded his graduate studies at Harvard University.[1] At Harvard, he was mentored by Ronold W. P. King, a professor of applied physics who specialized in electromagnetic theory.[1] Chen earned his Master of Science in 1958 and PhD in applied physics in 1960; his doctoral dissertation was titled "Antennas Coupled to Open Wire Lines."[2][5]
Career
From 1960 to 1964, Chen worked as a research associate at the Radiation Laboratory at the University of Michigan, conducting research in electromagnetics and plasma physics.[2]
In 1964, Chen joined Michigan State University as an associate professor of electrical engineering, becoming the first Taiwanese professor at the university.[1] He was promoted to full professor in 1967.[2] The Richard M. Hong Endowed Chair in Electrical Engineering was established in 1995 by alumnus Richard M. Hong to honor Chen and support continued excellence in the department; Chen retired in 2000 as the Richard M. Hong Professor Emeritus.[6]
Research
He specialized in electromagnetics. One of his most notable contributions was the development of the microwave life-detection system which can locate people buried under earthquake rubble. The technology has been successfully used by NASA during disaster recovery operations.[1]
Chen authored the textbook Special Topics in Electromagnetics, first published by National Taiwan University Press in 2008 and later by World Scientific in 2013.[3][7] The book covers electromagnetic field interactions with materials, biological applications, and radar identification.
Awards and honors
- Life Fellow, Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers[3]
- Fellow, American Association for the Advancement of Science (1977)[8]
- Richard M. Hong Endowed Chair, Michigan State University (1995)[6]
Personal life
In 2002, Chen moved to San Diego, California,[4] where he died on December 15, 2022, at age 89.[1][9]