On 25 May 2016, at the age of 61 years, died suddenly and unexpectedly our colleague and friend, the co-founder and board member of the European Technology Platform on Smart Systems Integration, the director of the Fraunhofer Institute for Electronic Nanosystems ENAS, tenured professor of the Faculty of Electrical Engineering and Information Technology and director of the Center for Microtechnologies of the Technische Universität Chemnitz
Prof. Dr. Dr. Prof. h. c. mult. Thomas Geßner
Professor Geßner’s scientific activities were not only characterized by the tireless initiation of new fundamental topics but also by his ambition to transfer the results of scientific efforts to application-relevant research and subsequent transformation into economic use.
Professor Thomas Geßner worked on national and international levels on the integration of microelectronics, microsystem technology and other components into intelligent systems. Through this he was crucial for the successful establishment, the designing and the continuous development of smart systems in Germany and worldwide.
Hence his name, like no one else’s, represents a huge number of activities in the context of Smart Systems, not only in Europe but also worldwide. Professor Geßner as committee chairman of the Smart Systems Integration Conference and Exhibition developed this event successfully into a unique podium of exchange of scientific ideas and a competitive international exhibition.
With Thomas we not only lose a creative scientist and a great thought-provoking conversationalist, but also a respected colleague and dear fellow.
We will hold the memory of him in honour.
On behalf of the EPoSS community
Carmelo Papa
Chairman of the Board