L to R: Heidi Arola, Vijay Raghunathan and Mark Lundstrom
L to R: Heidi Arola, Vijay Raghunathan and Mark Lundstrom
“If someone from the 1950s suddenly appeared, what would be the most difficult thing to explain to them about life today?” asked Mark Lundstrom, the Don and Carol Scifres Distinguished Professor of Electrical and Computer Engineering, to more than 200 admitted Purdue students, parents and alumni in New Delhi and Mumbai, India, on April 5 and April 7. “That I possess a device in my pocket that is capable of accessing the entirety of information known to humankind ...” he continued, quoting author Ian Leslie.
In his keynote talk for the ninth annual India-Purdue Collaborative Lecture Series in Honor of Bharat Ratna Professor C.N.R. Rao, “A New Era of Semiconductor Electronics,” Lundstrom provided a brief history of the evolution of chip technology. Lundstrom highlighted challenges and opportunities scientists face today in advanced microelectronics manufacturing and packaging. He went on to address recent issues, including disruptions to the global supply chain, that have impeded industry and negatively impacted global consumers. Lundstrom, who is senior advisor to the president and was recently named Purdue University’s chief semiconductor officer, spoke of Purdue’s investments in semiconductor education and its commitment to leadership in semiconductor R&D and workforce development.