ECE Florida

ECE Assistant Professor Ivan Ruchkin has received funding from the National Science Foundation (NSF) for his project "Neuro-Symbolic Bridge: From Perception to Estimation & Control." The project aims to enhance the safety and reliability of cyber-physical systems (CPS) by developing methods to repair the mismatch between neural network outputs (the raw data) and the downstream symbolic systems (the decision-making processes). Dr. Ruchkin's work will utilize neuro-symbolic calibration and training methods in an effort to design safer and more predictable CPS which utilize neural network perception such as those deployed in such transportation, agriculture, and medicine. As a research platform for the system, his team will deploy it on small-scale racing cars. The team includes Dr. Ruchkin’s collaborator at Rennsselaer Polytechnic, Dr. Radoslav Ivanov. More: https://go.ufl.edu/gd0ptn5

Keep up with live results from the Electrek Forumla Sun Grand Prix in Bowling Green, KY as Team Solar Gators defends their national championship. Qualifying teams also go on to compete in the American Solar Challenge. Today’s the second of three days of racing, all in the name of promoting solar power. The links: https://linktr.ee/americansolarchallenge

UF Solar Gators is a fully student-run engineering design team that designs, builds, and races solar-powered cars to showcase the potential of solar energy. The team is currently at the National Corvette Museum Motorsports Park in Bowling Green, KY competing at the 2024 Formula Sun Grand Prix (FSGP), July 16–18. The team is in the midst of their third and final day of testing and scrutineering and they are optimistic about passing all regulation checks before the first race day tomorrow. SunRider is sporting an entirely new electrical system, including its first ever custom battery management system, which so far, has been performing extremely well. Solar Gators are competing in the Single Occupant Vehicle category against over 30 teams. Stay tuned for updates!

The Florida Semiconductor Institute is proud to host Robert Patti for a technical talk today, July 10 at 11am in MALA 7200. Mr. Patti is the owner, president, and CEO of NHanced Semiconductors, Inc., a spin-out of Tezzaron Semiconductors. He'll present an exciting talk on cutting-edge 3D and 2.5D integration technology.

Join us Monday, June 24 at 2:00pm in MALA 5050 as we host Dr. Jie (Jack) Zhang, research scientist at the Picower Institute for Learning and Memory and the Department of Brain and Cognitive Sciences at MIT. He'll present “High-Speed Image Sensor and Systems for Resolving Millisecond-Scale Neural Dynamics Underlying Behavior.” More: https://ow.ly/uBHo50SkVs6

Congratulations to Dr. Farimah Farahmandi, recently named as the inaugural holder of the Walden C. Rhines Endowed Professorship for Hardware Security. Farahmandi is an assistant professor in the Department of Electrical & Computer Engineering and also serves as the associate director of the Florida Institute for Cybersecurity (FICS) Research. The endowment will support Dr. Farahmandi’s research program which primarily focuses on hardware security verification and validation. More: https://ow.ly/SUYY50S9162

Congratulations to Dr. Hamed Dalir, recently elevated to Fellow of the International Association of Advanced Materials (IAAM) in recognition of his outstanding contributions in the field of nanomaterials science and technology with a focus on ITO and graphene for high-speed applications. More: https://ow.ly/6z8l50S7B7P

ECE Professor Karim Oweiss is a recipient of a UF Space Institute Initiative grant for his project “Optimizing Astronauts’ Training Through Mechanistic Understanding of Neuroplasticity in Spaceflight.” The project seeks to better understand the degradation in sensorimotor function during spaceflight-like conditions and the associated neuroplasticity mechanisms while proposing countermeasures to ensure degradation is slowed down or prevented all together upon return to earth.

ECE alumnus Yangbin Wang (MSEE ’93) was presented with the Distinguished Alumnus Award at the University of Florida Herbert Wertheim College of Engineering Spring 2024 bachelor’s recognition ceremony. Learn more and hear Wang's address at the link. https://ow.ly/8FwY50RKx3f

A team of ten ECE researchers, led by Dr. YK Yoon, is supporting one of only ten NSF Regional Innovation Engines, the ‘Central Florida Semiconductor Innovation Engine.’ Longtime partner BRIDG in Osceola County is leading the charge to bring together key entities, drive economic growth in the regional semiconductor ecosystem, and bring research to market. A major focus for ECE researchers on the project is efforts in unique meta-interconnect solutions and assured packaging. The project recently celebrated its kickoff in Washington, D.C. Learn more: https://ow.ly/hsLI50RISgQ

[11 of 11] Last in our series of ECE Hall of Fame profiles: Don Estridge (BSEE ‘59) was a pioneering American computer engineer whose innovative contributions earned him the title of the “Father of the IBM PC.” Born in Jacksonville, Florida in June 1937, Estridge graduated from the University of Florida’s College of Engineering in 1959 with a Bachelor of Science degree in electrical engineering. With a career spanning the United States Army, IBM, and NASA’s Goddard Space Flight Center, Estridge’s expertise propelled him to the forefront of personal computing. In 1980, he took the helm of IBM Entry Level Systems, where he envisioned a cost-effective personal computer to rival competitors like Apple Computer and Commodore International. Under his leadership, the original IBM Personal Computer (PC) was born, revolutionizing the industry. Notably, Estridge’s decision to open the specifications of the IBM PC fostered a flourishing aftermarket industry and propelled personal computer sales. His visionary leadership earned him rapid promotions within IBM, culminating in his appointment as IBM Vice President, Manufacturing, by 1984. Despite declining a lucrative offer from Steve Jobs to join Apple Computer, Estridge’s promising trajectory was tragically cut short in the crash of Delta Air Lines Flight 191 in 1985. Nonetheless, his enduring legacy as a pioneer in personal computing and his pivotal role in shaping the computer industry continue to be celebrated.

[10 of 11] Next in our series of ECE Hall of Fame profiles: John Vincent Atanasoff (BSEE ‘25) was an American polymath whose ground-breaking work in engineering, physics, mathematics, and computer science earned him the title of “the father of the modern computer.” Born in October 1903, Atanasoff graduated from the University of Florida’s College of Engineering in 1925 with a Bachelor of Science degree in electrical engineering. His exceptional contributions were recognized with an honorary Doctor of Science degree from UF in 1974. Atanasoff’s most renowned invention, the Atanasoff-Berry Computer (ABC), developed with graduate student Clifford Berry, laid the groundwork for modern digital computers. Capable of solving multiple equations simultaneously, the ABC was a revolutionary achievement in computing history. Despite facing a patent dispute with John Mauchly over the invention of the electronic digital computer, Atanasoff’s legacy endures as a pioneer in technological innovation. His dedication extended beyond computing, as evidenced by his work with the Armed and Naval forces and the founding of the Ordnance Engineering Corporation. Atanasoff’s inventive journey continued until his passing in June 1995, leaving an indelible mark on the digital age that followed.

[9 of 11] Next in our series of ECE Hall of Fame profiles: Yangbin Wang (MSEE ‘93) is a pioneer in developing innovative technologies for digital content protection and transactions that increase revenue for content owners. In 2005, he founded Vobile, a global leading software-as-a-service (SaaS) provider in content protection and the transaction of digital assets. Under Wang’s leadership, Vobile has achieved tremendous growth over a decade—going from a Silicon Valley startup to a global public company with a successful IPO in 2018. He remains the company’s chairman and CEO. Vobile develops software services based on its VDNA digital fingerprinting and watermarking core technologies, widely deployed by rightsholders such as movie studios, television networks, and streaming platforms for content protection and monetization. In honor of Vobile’s innovation excellence in developing video identification technology to protect content value and copyright, Vobile was awarded an Emmy at the 69th annual Technology and Engineering Emmy Awards. Vobile was also named a Deloitte technology fast leader in 2021 for its significant business growth and technology innovation. Wang earned a master’s degree in electrical engineering from the University of Florida in 1993 and a bachelor’s degree in engineering from Zhejiang University in 1991. He serves on the Dean’s Advisory Board and West Coast Advisory Board for the Herbert Wertheim College of Engineering at UF and is an elected director of the UF Foundation National Board.

We couldn't be more proud that Semmoto Endowed Professor and Director of the Warren B. Nelms Institute for the Connected World Dr. Swarup Bhunia has been named a 2024 UF Research Foundation professor in recognition of his distinguished current record of research and strong research agenda. Bhunia is a world leader in IoT and smart/connected systems, specializing in hardware and systems security, food and medicine safety, adaptive and energy-efficient computing, and wearable and implantable systems. Learn more about all the awardees: https://news.ufl.edu/2024/05/uf-research-foundation-professors/

[8 of 11] Next in our series of ECE Hall of Fame profiles: Sachio Semmoto, Ph.D. (ME ‘68; Ph.D. ‘71), received his BS in electrical engineering from Kyoto University, Japan in 1966 and his Ph.D. in electrical engineering from the University of Florida in 1971. Dr. Semmoto is a highly successful entrepreneur with more than 30 years of experience in senior management positions with several leading Japanese telecommunication companies. His career began when he joined Nippon Telegraph and Telephone Public Corporation (NTT, Japan) in 1966, staying until 1983. After successfully campaigning to establish a deregulated telecommunications industry in Japan, in 1984 he co-founded Japan’s first private telecom startup, DDI, now KDDI. Today he serves as the executive chairman of RENOVA, Inc., a renewable energy power company headquartered in Tokyo, Japan. Under his leadership, RENOVA has grown from a private startup to become Japan’s leader in renewable energy, publicly listing on the Tokyo Stock Exchange in 2017. The company continues to develop innovative large-scale renewable energy plants, including off-shore wind, large-scale biomass, and utility-scale solar PV. With his entrepreneurial and management experience, combined with an extensive network, Dr. Semmoto is deeply engaged with RENOVA’s business activities. In the past, Dr. Semmoto has also served on the boards of several world-class companies, including NetApp, a leading cloud/data management company in Silicon Valley (US), and Reuters Shareholding Company, a first-class communications company (UK).

[7 of 11] Next in our series of ECE Hall of Fame profiles: Dr. Walden C. (Wally) Rhines is president and CEO of Cornami, Inc., a fabless semiconductor and software company focused on fully homomorphic encryption. He was previously CEO of Mentor Graphics for 25 years and chairman of the board for 17 years. During his tenure at Mentor, revenue nearly quadrupled and market value of the company increased tenfold. Prior to joining Mentor Graphics, Dr. Rhines was executive vice president, semiconductor group, responsible for TI’s worldwide semiconductor business. Dr. Rhines has served on the boards of Cirrus Logic, QORVO, TriQuint Semi- conductor, Global Logic, PTK Corp., Silvaco, Pallidus, Caspia, and as chairman of the Electronic Design Automation Consortium (five two-year terms). He is a lifetime fellow of the IEEE. Dr. Rhines holds a bachelor of science degree in engineering from the University of Michigan, a master of science and Ph.D. in materials science and engineering from Stanford University, an MBA from Southern Methodist University and honorary doctor of technology degrees from the University of Florida and Nottingham Trent University. In 2021, the Global Semiconductor Alliance honored Dr. Rhines with its prestigious Dr. Morris Chang Exemplary Leadership Award.

President Emeritus and ECE faculty member Dr. Kent Fuchs is featured on the latest episode of 1001: Intro to Everything, a podcast hosted by Andres Pulido, a Ph.D. student in MAE. Enjoy a great talk with an exceptional leader. https://youtu.be/qtr0mSQhv1Y?si=Mat9hZiz_VbFNngZ | https://open.spotify.com/show/4lKeqmXcVUN6XFQVhCXtgJ?si=7be66a9e3e2f4913

[6 of 11] Next in our series of ECE Hall of Fame profiles: Linda Rae (BSEE ‘87) is the General Manager for the Power Generation/Oil and Gas software businesses for GE Vernova (the energy-focused spinoff of General Electric). In this role, Rae is responsible for driving profitable growth for the business, serving energy, oil and gas, chemical, and metals and mining verticals. Prior to this role, Rae spent nine years at Danaher and Fortive Corporations in several president roles, including commercial president for Tektronix and President of Qualitrol Corporation. She spent the first 15 years of her career at Keithley Instruments, where she served as executive vice president and chief operating officer prior to Keithley’s acquisition by Danaher. Rae is a member of the Dean’s Advisory Board for the Herbert Wertheim College of Engineering at the University of Florida, the board of directors for the Great Lakes Science Center in Cleveland, and the visiting committee for the Weatherhead School of Management at Case Western Reserve University. Rae holds a BS in Electrical Engineering from the University of Florida and an MS in Electrical Engineering and MBA degrees from Case Western Reserve University.

[5 of 11] Next in our series of ECE Hall of Fame profiles: Chris Malachowsky (BSEE ’80) graduated with his BS in Electrical Engineering from the University of Florida in 1980 and received his MSCS from Santa Clara University in 1986. He has been awarded the Distinguished Alumni Award from both universities. In 1993, Malachowsky helped established NVIDIA, a California-based multinational technology company that continues to make significant contributions to the data science and information technology industries. At NVIDIA, he serves as a member of the executive staff, an NVIDIA Fellow, and as a senior technology executive. A recognized authority on integrated-circuit design and methodology, he has authored close to 40 patents. Beyond his technical accomplishments, Malachowsky has also received an Emmy for a film he helped produce, Inheritance, that won Best Documentary in 2009. Malachowsky was inducted into the Florida Inventors Hall of Fame in 2019, and the University of Florida Academy of Golden Gators in 2022. In 2021, Malachowsky, along with NVIDIA, gifted to the university UF’s world-class AI focused supercomputer HiPerGator AI. He also is the namesake for the Malachowsky Hall for Data Science and Information Technology, a state-of-the- art academic building and hub that connects students, faculty, and researchers from across disciplines in pursuit of advances that capitalize on Data Science and Artificial Intelligence. UF has also granted him an honorary Doctorate in Technology.

[4 of 11] Next in our series of ECE Hall of Fame profiles: Dr. Pramod P. Khargonekar (MS (mathematics) LS ‘80; Ph.D. EE ‘81). Khargonekar was born in Indore, India in 1956. Both his parents were schoolteachers, and they instilled a love of learning from his childhood. He received B. Tech. degree in electrical engineering in 1977 from the Indian Institute of Technology, Bombay, India. He continued his education at the University of Florida, receiving his M.S. degree in mathematics in 1980 and Ph.D. in electrical engineering in 1981. Dr. Khargonekar has been on faculty at UF, the University of Minnesota, the University of Michigan, and the University of California, Irvine. From 1997 to 2001, he became chairman of the University of Michigan’s Department of Electrical Engineering and Computer Science, and held the position of Claude E. Shannon Professor of Engineering Science. In 2001, he was recruited back to UF to become the dean of the College of Engineering until 2009. He was also Eckis Professor of Electrical and Computer Engineering from 2001 to 2016. He served briefly as deputy director of technology at ARPA-E, U. S. Department of Energy in 2012–13. He was appointed by the National Science Foundation to serve as assistant director for the Directorate of Engineering in March 2013. In June 2016, he assumed his current position as vice chancellor for research and distinguished professor of electrical engineering and computer science at the University of California, Irvine. Dr. Khargonekar is known for his brilliant, high-impact research contributions to theory and applications of systems and control. His early work was on mathematical control theory, specifically focusing on robust control analysis and design. In late 1980s, he made groundbreaking contributions to the state-space solution to the H-infinity control problem. This work is recognized to be the greatest theoretical achievement in the control systems field since the pioneering work of R. E. Kalman, Ph.D., in the 1960s.

And one final faculty member to congratulate for his recognition at the Herbert Wertheim College of Engineering Awards ceremony on 4/22: Dr. David Arnold was honored with the 2023–24 Faculty Award for Excellence in Leadership. Congratulations!

Congratulations to the ECE winners recognized at the Herbert Wertheim College of Engineering Awards ceremony on April 22: Dr. Christophe Bobda (International Educator of the Senior, Senior); Dr. Farimah Farahmandi (Excellence Award for Assistant Professors); Dr. Eric Schwartz (Faculty Advising/Mentor of the Year); Dr. Shuo Wang (Doctoral Dissertation Advising/Mentoring).

[3 of 11] Next in our series of ECE Hall of Fame profiles: Michael Hsing (BSEE ’88) is the founder and CEO of Monolithic Power Systems, an S&P 500 company. Hsing was born in Shanghai, China, and grew up during the Cultural Revolution. During that time, schools were essentially shut down; but Hsing possessed vast curiosities about how things work, particularly in math and physics. When he was 21, he came to the U.S. as a foreign exchange student. He gained English proficiency quickly and worked many odd jobs to support himself through college. However, due to an undiagnosed learning disability, Hsing struggled. It was during his later years at UF, with the help of his professors, he was able to identify and conquer his learning disability. This redefined the trajectory of his life, and in 1988, he graduated with his BSEE and was accepted into the graduate program at UF. Hsing started MPS in late 1997 with a vision, reflected in the name of the company, Monolithic Power Systems – to integrate power electronics solutions onto a single chip. To execute his vision, Hsing created groundbreaking technologies using a fully integrated power process in a CMOS foundry. In 1998, a single-chip solution was created for powering CCFL backlighting in notebooks. By 2016, under Hsing’s leadership, MPS integrated power transistors, high-precision analog circuitries in embedded microcontrollers, and memory components onto a single silicon chip. Finally fulfilling Hsing’s vision, MPS introduced an industry first – a cost-effective, user-configurable, micro power module – an entire power system in a single package.

[2 of 11] Next in our series of ECE Hall of Fame profiles: Aurelio Fernandez was born in Holguin, Cuba in 1954 and immigrated to the United States in 1966. His family settled in Hialeah, FL, where he spent most of his childhood until attending the University of Florida, where he studied electrical engineering. He began his career at Westinghouse Electric (Power Systems) but quickly saw the growing opportunities in computers and semiconductors. He proceeded to Digital Equipment Corp., beginning his career in technical sales. In 1981, Intel recruited him to focus on key accounts in South Florida. At Intel, he learned the discipline required for high achievement with a focus on management by objectives, a practice he continued through out his career.

In 1984, he was recruited by VLSI Technology, then a startup, as regional manager for the Southeast. At VLSI his responsibilities grew to vice president of Eastern sales & design centers and then on to vice president of strategic accounts. In 1994, seeking the position of vice president of worldwide sales, he moved to Silicon Valley where he spent time at two startups. Then, in 1997, he was recruited by Broadcom as their first vice president of worldwide sales. In 1998, he was part of the executive team who took Broadcom public. He and his team grew sales from $35 million to over $1 billion in three years. At that time, Broadcom was the fastest company to reach a $1B in sales in the semiconductor industry. He retired from Broadcom in 2002 and has since been an investor in real estate and venture capital.

[1 of 11] First in our profiles of ECE Hall of Fame members is Richard M. Eubanks (BSEE ‘95), president and chief executive officer and director of The Brink’s Company (a global leader in total cash management and secure logistics). Prior to his May 2022 appointment as CEO, Eubanks served as executive vice president and chief operating officer since September 2021.

Very excited to announce that ECE PhD students Saeyeong Jeon and Alex Wilcher, both advised by ECE Professor YK Yoon, took third place at the Big Idea Business Plan Competition last Thursday (Top 16) and Friday (Final 4). The competition is an annual event held by the UF Warrington College of Business. Team MetaForce was up against an initial 200 teams. Congratulations!

Congratulations to the winning project teams at the Spring 2024 Senior Design Expo! Garret Godfrey & Conrad Hellwege (The Umpire Strikes Back); James Wi & Santiago Calderon (FPGA Revolution); Quinlan Stewart & Danton Klein (Solar Gamepad) all showcased their winning projects last week. No rankings this time, all teams are equally awesome! Standing proudly with their students are Senior Design instructor Dr. William Eisenstadt and lab support engineers Eric Liebner and Mike Stapleton.

Learn more about our illustrious Hall of Fame inductees, all eleven of them, here: https://go.ufl.edu/u41cxll. ECE can boast both the inventor of the digital computer as well as the father of the IBM PC as alumni and HoF members. Stay tuned for profiles of (first photo, L-R): Sachio Semmoto, Yangbin Wang, Walden C. Rhines, Aurelio Fernandez, Richard M. Eubanks, Pramod Khargonekar, Linda Rae, Michael Hsing, and, unable to attend, Chris Malachowsky.

Happening now in NEB, Spring Senior Design Expo. Students are showing off and explaining their capstone projects to instructors and judges. Lots of last-minute adjustments to projects, and many tired students. Our amazing graduating seniors never fail to impress and amaze.