Prof. Dr. Emmanouil Tentzeris
Humboldt Research Award Winner and guest researcher at FAU´s Institute for Electronics Engineering
Professor Tentzeris graduated from Ionidios Model School of Piraeus, receiving his degree in Electrical Engineering and Computer Science from the National Technical University in Athens, Greece, and then M.S. and Ph.D. degrees in Electrical Engineering and Computer Science from the University of Michigan, Ann Arbor.
He is currently a Ken Byers Professor in the area of flexible electronics with the School of ECE, Georgia Tech and he has published more than 600 papers in refereed Journals and Conference Proceedings, 5 books and 25 book chapters.
He has served as the Head of the Electromagnetics Technical Interest Group of the School of ECE, Georgia Tech. Also, he has served as the Georgia Electronic Design Center Associate Director for RFID/Sensors research from 2006-2010 and as the GT-Packaging Research Center (NSF-ERC) Associate Director for RF research and the leader of the RF/Wireless Packaging Alliance from 2003-2006. Dr. Tentzeris is also the Head of the A.T.H.E.N.A. Research Group. He is a Fellow of IEEE, a member of MTT-15 Committee, an Associate Member of European Microwave Association (EuMA), a Fellow of the Electromagnetics Academy, and a member of Commission D, URSI and of the the Technical Chamber of Greece. He is the Founder and Chair of the newly formed IEEE MTT-S TC-24 (RFID Technologies). He is one of the IEEE C-RFID Distinguished Lecturers and he has served as one IEEE MTT-Distinguished Microwave Lecturers (DML).
FAU is among the world-leading universities in the area of RF/wireless communication systems and electronics with numerous world-renowned scientists. (…) I chose FAU to perform high-calibre collaborative and innovative research with broad impact.
Prof. Dr. Tentzeris, what exactly sparked your interest in your field of research?
Since my childhood, I have always liked math and physics and I have always been intrigued by technology. The use of my first computer and my first remotely (wirelessly) controlled cars coupled with numerous scientific and sci-fi movies about space exploration sparked my interest in electromagnetics and wireless systems.
Could you give us a short description of your research project at FAU?
I am collaborating with Prof. Weigel’s team for the development of novel 3D printed radio frequency, i.e. RF modules for Smart Cities, Smart Agriculture and Quality of Life applications. By using a multidisciplinary approach that combines microelectronics, electromagnetics/RF, novel materials, additive manufacturing and nanotechnology, we are planning to develop a new generation of ultrabroadband “zero-power” wireless modules that could enable the next generation of communications (5G+/6G) as well as the first truly scalable implementations of the Internet of Things (IoT).
What is the aim of your research?
My research focuses on innovative system-level solutions for the ultra-low-cost mass production of “near perpetual” Millimeter-Wave Modules for Communication, Energy Harvesting and Sensing applications. I touch up the state-of-the-art area of fully integrated printable broadband wireless modules that could be fabricated virtually by everybody using additive manufacturing. The presented approach could potentially set the foundation for truly convergent wireless sensor ad-hoc environmentally friendly (“green”) networks of the future with enhanced cognitive intelligence and “rugged” packaging. I also investigate shape-changing 4D-printed (origami) packages, reflect arrays and medium-molecular-weight wearable (e.g. biomonitoring) antennas and RF modules. Special attention is paid on the integration of ultrabroadband (Gb/sec) ink-jet-printed nanotechnology-based backscattering communication modules as well as miniaturized printable wireless (e.g.CNT) sensors for the Internet of Things (IoT), 5G and smart agriculture/biomonitoring applications.
What were your reasons for choosing FAU as your host institution?
FAU is among the world-leading universities in the area of RF/wireless communication systems and electronics with numerous world-renowned scientists. Prof. Weigel’s team has given my seminal presentations in the most prestigious international conferences. I chose FAU to perform high-calibre collaborative and innovative research with broad impact.
How well known is FAU internationally in your field of research?
It is very well known with presence at all major conferences and in international journals.
Many thanks for the hospitality; visiting FAU has been a great experience that I would rank among the best in my career.
How do you find the interaction between researchers at FAU?
It is excellent in providing insightful comments and suggestions for novel innovative solutions.
What is the great thing about the profession of the scientist?
Being able to “see the future”, address major challenges of the humanity and provide high-impact novel solutions while continuously stimulating new ideas.
If you had not become a scientist, what would you have become instead?
I care a lot about the improvement of the quality of life, thus my alternative would have been to be a doctor.
Do you have a favourite place at FAU?
The lab of FAU´s Institute for Electronics Engineering, the President’s Building, also called the “Schloss”, and the Botanical Garden.
Is there anything else you would like to mention?
Many thanks for the hospitality; visiting FAU has been a great experience that I would rank among the best in my career.
Thank you for the interview, Prof. Tentzeris.