Everyone strives for process optimization, including the Fraunhofer Institute for Integrated Systems and Device Technology IISB in Erlangen, which was founded and established in 1985 by electrical engineer Heiner Ryssel. Over the years, the research focus on semiconductor manufacturing equipment, processes and simulation tools has been complemented by a focus on power electronics.
Ryssel studied electrical engineering at the Technical University of Munich and worked at Fraunhofer from 1974. He habilitated in Munich in 1985 and was appointed to the University of Erlangen-Nuremberg (FAU) in the same year. There, he headed the Chair of Electronic Devices alongside Fraunhofer IISB until his retirement in 2008.
Born in Saxony, he is, among other things, an IEEE Life Fellow, a member of ITG and GMM, and chairman of the Förderkreis für die Mikroelektronik e.V. He received the Fraunhofer Medal in 2007 and the GMM Award in 2010. The scientist published 400 works, is editor of 8 books and holds several German and international patents.