Kun-Mu Chen
| Kun-Mu Chen | |
|---|---|
| Born | February 3, 1933 Taipei, Taiwan |
| 💀Died | December 15, 2022 (aged 89) San Diego, California, U.S.December 15, 2022 (aged 89) |
| 🏫 Education | National Taiwan University (BS) Harvard University (MS, PhD) |
| 💼 Occupation | |
| Known for | Microwave life-detection systems Electromagnetics research |
| 🏅 Awards | IEEE Life Fellow AAAS Fellow Richard M. Hong Endowed Chair |
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]
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]
References
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 1.4 1.5 1.6 1.7 "Remembering the Distinguished Career of Kun-Mu Chen". College of Engineering. Michigan State University. November 3, 2023. Retrieved January 10, 2026.
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 2.3 2.4 "About". Electromagnetics Research Group. Michigan State University. Retrieved January 10, 2026.
- ↑ 3.0 3.1 3.2 "Special Topics in Electromagnetics". National Taiwan University Press. 2008. Retrieved January 10, 2026.
- ↑ 4.0 4.1 "Finding a Home in a Land of Green: The Story of Dr. Kun-Mu Chen and Michigan State University". Electromagnetics Research Group. Michigan State University. Retrieved January 1, 2026.
- ↑ "Kun-Mu Chen". Mathematics Genealogy Project. North Dakota State University. Retrieved January 10, 2026.
- ↑ 6.0 6.1 "Alum Xiaobo Tan named to Richard M. Hong Endowed Chair at MSU". Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering. University of Maryland. August 10, 2020. Retrieved January 10, 2026.
- ↑ Chen, Kun-Mu (2013). Special Topics in Electromagnetics. World Scientific. ISBN 978-981-4412-17-9. Search this book on
- ↑ Borras, Catherine (April 15, 1977). "AAAS Council Meeting, 1977: AAAS Members Elected to Fellowship 23 February 1977". Science: 343. doi:10.1126/science.196.4287.342.
- ↑ "Chen, Kun-Mu". Michigan State University. January 17, 2023. Retrieved January 11, 2016.
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