Indian-origin MIT professor A Chandrakasan honoured

16 March 2009

MIT scientist of Indian origin Anantha Chandrakasan, was presented the Semiconductor Industry Association's (SIA) University Researcher Award last week at the annual SIA conference in Washington for his work in micro-power design, wireless micro-sensor arrays and ultra-wideband radios.

Chandrakasan,. director of the MIT Microsystems Technology Labs, recently completed a joint project with Texas Instruments to design a micro-controller that uses only one-tenth the power compared to a conventional device.

His group has also recently demonstrated ultra-low-power video architectures, energy-efficient ultra-wideband wireless circuits, energy scavenging systems and a sensor system using carbon nanotubes.

Hector Ruiz, chairman of SIA, said that Chandrakasan's work addresses the significant challenges faced by the semiconductor industry today.

"The 'crown jewel' in the US innovation ecosystem is our network of world-leading research universities," Ruiz said in a statement announcing the award to Chandrakasan.

Ruiz said, "America's research universities attract the best and brightest students and teachers from around the world. University researchers do the fundamental research that has enabled US chipmakers to lead the world in developing innovative products and solutions."