HomeDate: 2025-09-02
Academician King-Ning Tu passed away in the United States on August 30, 2025, at the age of 88.
An internationally renowned leader in materials science, Dr. Tu specialized in thin film materials. He proposed a fundamental breakthrough theory on the dynamics of phase transformations in metals and alloys; carried out in-depth studies on the interfacial chemical reactions between metals and silicon, which had a broad impact on the development of microelectronic devices; and identified a new driving force for electromigration, making extraordinary contributions to the design and reliability of large-scale integrated circuits. In recent years, he devoted his efforts to studying thermal entropy and the reliability of electronic components, and explored the use of AI image analysis to predict the lifetime of packaging solder joints.
After receiving his Ph.D. in Applied Physics from Harvard University in 1968, Dr. Tu joined the IBM Watson Research Center, where he worked for 25 years. He later moved to the University of California, Los Angeles, where he taught for 23 years and served as Chair of the Department of Materials Science and Engineering, transforming his extensive industrial experience into academic training and mentoring numerous students.
Dr. Tu cared deeply about the development of materials science in Taiwan. He actively participated in academic activities and assisted industrial development, helping to facilitate research and innovation capacity . He served three terms as a Member of the Academia Sinica Council and as a member of the Academic Advisory Committee of the Institute of Physics, fostering the growth of research at Academia Sinica.
Dr. Tu was elected Fellow of the American Physical Society, Fellow of The Metallurgical Society (TMS), and Fellow of the Materials Research Society. His honors included the Humboldt Research Award for Senior U.S. Scientists, the Distinguished Scientist/Engineer Award, the John Bardeen Award from the TMS Electronic, Magnetic & Photonic Materials Division (EMPMD), and the IEEE Components, Packaging, and Manufacturing Technology Award. Dr. Tu was elected Academician of Academia Sinica in 2002, becoming the first Academician in the field of materials science.
