The 2023 Presidential Science Awards ceremony was held yesterday, on the 24th of October, to honor the outstanding achievements and contributions of the awardees. Professor Hu Chenming, a lifetime chair professor at the International College of Semiconductor Technology of the National Yang Ming Chiao Tung University (NYCU) in Taiwan, and a member of the Academia Sinica, was honored with the Presidential Science Award of Taiwan in the Applied Science category. His students and colleagues felt a deep sense of pride and offered their congratulations.
Academician Hu is renowned in the field of semiconductors, being the expert behind the invention of the “FinFET” transistor, which overcame the physical limits of semiconductor technology. He served as the first Chief Technology Officer of TSMC (Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company), leading a research and development team that consistently introduced cutting-edge FinFET prototypes, resolving issues related to chip overheating and miniaturization. He also played a crucial role in the early deployment of FinFET technology and patents, establishing Taiwan’s semiconductor industry as a global leader.
In his speech, Academician Hu expressed that he was accepting the award on behalf of the countless applied science researchers who have contributed to Taiwan’s economic growth over the past few decades. Academician Hu joined NYCU in 2017 and personally led the “Smart Semiconductor Nano System Technology Research Center,” a specialized research project supported by the Ministry of Education and the National Science Council. He has guided a university’s team to engage in cutting-edge semiconductor technology research, achieving numerous world-class results and nurturing many talented high-level research and development professionals.
This article is translated by Haydn Chen.
October 25, 2023.
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