In a special event held in the conference room of ADI Beijing this morning, time and space seemed to warp as dozens of ADI engineers joined forces with IEEE CEO Jan Van der Spiegel. Together, they traveled through the history of semiconductor technology—from the invention of the first transistor in 1947, to the birth of CMOS circuits in 1963, all the way up to today’s advanced integrated circuits. With a cup of coffee in hand, they explored the past and future of CMOS technology.
ADI engineers gathered in the Beijing office for an exclusive session led by a true legend in the electronics world—Professor Jan Van der Spiegel. A renowned figure in the field, he is a Professor of Electrical and Systems Engineering at the University of Pennsylvania and a former department head. He has also served as Associate Dean and held numerous leadership roles in IEEE, including Chair of the Solid State Circuits Society.
Born in Belgium, Professor Van der Spiegel earned his bachelor's, master's, and Ph.D. degrees in mechanical and electrical engineering from the University of Leuven. His research focuses on digital-analog hybrid VLSI design, CMOS vision sensors, bio-inspired image processing systems, and low-power brain-computer interfaces. He has published over 180 papers and holds four patents, making him one of the most influential figures in modern electronics.
During the session, he took the audience on a journey through the evolution of semiconductors. Starting with the 1947 invention of the first transistor, he moved through key milestones: the 1959 introduction of the first planar integrated circuit, the 1963 debut of CMOS, Moore’s Law in 1965, the first microprocessor in 1971, the billion-transistor chip in 2006, and the 21 billion transistors per chip in 2017.
He then delved into the structure and principles of modern CMOS circuits, discussing ways to overcome their limitations and exploring what the future might hold. From AI-driven sensors to next-generation applications, he painted a picture of a rapidly evolving landscape where new technologies are emerging like the sun on the horizon.
Professor Van der Spiegel emphasized that ICs have transformed the world over the past 70 years—and the pace is only accelerating. As transistors become cheaper and more energy-efficient, new possibilities are opening up. Circuit designers who can integrate multiple disciplines and embrace new technologies will continue to shape the future, impacting everything from daily life to environmental sustainability.
The event concluded with a powerful message: the next big wave of innovation is just around the corner, and the role of engineers and researchers is more vital than ever.
Due to space constraints, we couldn’t cover everything from Professor Van der Spiegel’s lecture—but we’ve shared the highlights here. We invite you to leave your thoughts below and join the conversation about the past, present, and future of integrated circuits.
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