Kurt Petersen Symposium
Kurt Petersen received his BS degree cum laude in EE from UC Berkeley in 1970. In 1975, he received a PhD in EE from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology. Dr. Petersen established a micromachining research group at IBM from 1975 to 1982, during which he wrote the review paper “Silicon as a Mechanical Material,” published in the IEEE Proceedings (May 1982). This paper is the most frequently referenced work in the field of micromachining and micro-electro-mechanical systems (MEMS).
Since 1982, Dr. Petersen has co-founded six companies in MEMS technology, Transensory Devices Inc. in 1982, NovaSensor in 1985 (now owned by Amphenol), Cepheid in 1996 (acquired by Danaher in 2016), SiTime in 2004 (now listed as SITM on NASDAQ), Profusa in 2008 (still private), and Verreon in 2009 (acquired by Qualcomm).
In 2011, Dr. Petersen joined the Silicon Valley Band of Angels, where he now co-chairs the HardTech group. The Band is an angel investment group which mentors and invests in early stage, high-tech, start-up companies. Today, he spends most of his time helping and mentoring such companies.
Dr. Petersen has published over 100 papers, and has been granted over 35 patents in the field of MEMS. He was awarded the prestigious IEEE Medal of Honor in 2019 as well as the IEEE Simon Ramo Medal in 2001 for his contributions to MEMS. Dr. Petersen is a member of the National Academy of Engineering and is a Life Fellow of the IEEE in recognition of his contributions to “the commercialization of MEMS technology”.
Jan Van der Spiegel, Symposium Chair
Location: Singh Center for Nanotechnology’s Glandt Forum
Date: Wednesday, April 30, 2025
Time: 9:00am – 1:00pm (light breakfast served at 8:00am)
Zoom: https://upenn.zoom.us/j/91545711837
Click here to register.
9:00am- Opening remarks from TBA
9:05am – Cherie Kagan, Talk Title TBA
9:35am – Marc Miskin, Talk Title TBA
10:05am – Troy Olsson, Talk Title TBA
10:35am – Coffee Break
10:55am – Ken Wise, Talk Title TBA
11:25am – Alissa Fitzgerald, Talk Title TBA
11:55pm – Thomas Kenny, Talk Title TBA
12:25pm – Introducing Kurt Petersen from Jan Van der Spiegel, Symposium Chair
12:30pm – Kurt Peterson, Talk Title TBA
Cherie Kagan
Stephen J. Angello Professor, Department of Electrical and Systems Engineering
University of Pennsylvania
Title: TBA
Abstract: TBA
Marc Miskin
Assistant Professor, Department of Electrical and Systems Engineering
University of Pennsylvania
Title: TBA
Abstract: TBA
Troy Olsson
Associate Professor and Graduate Chair, Department of Electrical and Systems Engineering
University of Pennsylvania
Title: TBA
Abstract: TBA
Ken Wise
William Gould Dow Distinguished University Professor Emeritus, Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering
University of Michigan
Title: TBA
Abstract: TBA
Alissa Fitzgerald
CEO and Founder
AMFitzgerald
Title: TBA
Abstract: TBA
Thomas Kenny
Senior Associate Dean for Education and Student Affairs, Richard We. Weiland Professor in the Department of Mechanical Engineering
Stanford
Title: TBA
Abstract: TBA
Kurt Petersen
Co-Chair at the HardTech Group
Silicon Valley Band of Angels
Title: TBA
Abstract: TBA
The Singh Center for Nanotechnology is located at 3205 Walnut Street, Philadelphia, PA 19104. There are a number of public parking garages in the area that can be utilized, as well as on-campus parking. For on-campus garages, we recommend, Chestnut 34, Penn Museum Garage, and Walnut 38.
If you are utilizing public transportation, William H. Gray III 30th Street Station is a 15 minute walk from the Singh Center for Nanotechnology and is a hub for Amtrak and SEPTA Regional Rail lines.
Danielle Tadros Kopicko, M.S.Ed.
Director, Department of Electrical and Systems Engineering
ESEEvents@seas.upenn.edu