Thomas George

Dr. Thomas George is Supervisor of MEMS Technology Group at the Jet Propulsion Laboratory, where he manages a group consisting of 20 researchers working on the development of diverse MEMS technologies for NASA applications. The MEMS technologies include a Micro-gyroscope, Micro-propulsion devices, Micro-valves and Micro-instruments. He is responsible for marketing technologies and capabilities to government and commercial sponsors via proposal processes. Provide leadership for the group and identify thrust areas to focus research effort. Research is performed collaboratively with Academic, Government and Commercial teams. Manage research tasks aimed at the development of novel micro-instruments using MEMS-based technology. These micro-instruments have space as well as terrestrial applications. Currently the micro-instruments under development include a MEMS-based Force-Detected Nuclear Magnetic Resonance Spectrometer and an Atmospheric Electron X-ray Spectrometer. Also manage the MEMS-fabrication of an emitter/bolometer type gas sensor for a commercial firm. Provide MEMS expertise support for MEMS technologies being developed for the NGST/MOS instrument.

Prior to his current challenging position, he was a Senior Member of Technical Staff, where he managed research tasks aimed at the development of novel micro-instruments including the Force-Detected Nuclear Magnetic Resonance Spectrometer, Atmospheric Electron X-ray Spectrometer, a Micromachined Broad-Band Light Source and an Optically-Detected Pressure Sensor. Dr. George has successfully commercialized a JPL-developed, silicon bulk-micromachined tunneling infrared detector and a MEMS-based infrared emitter/bolometric detector for commercial gas detection. Additionally, he has also managed tasks aimed at the development of AlGaN-based, solar-blind, ultraviolet detectors.

Dr. George also set up a state-of-the-art High Resolution Transmission Electron Microscopy Laboratory (Topcon 002B, 200kV HRTEM) with associated specimen preparation and photographic facilities. Used the facilities to perform materials research of epitaxially grown semiconductors such as Si, GaAs and GaN for infrared and ultraviolet detector applications. Hands-on experience in Si-based MEMS processing and assembly techniques as well as characterization techniques such as SIMS, SEM, AFM, ESCA and Auger spectroscopy.

Prior to joining JPL, his global multi-disciplinary experience included both academic (Nagoya Institute of Technology, Nagoya, Japan and University of California, Berkeley / Intel Corporation, Santa Clara) and industrial with National Semiconductor Corporation, Santa Clara / Penang, Malaysia.

Recipient of NASA Certificates of Recognition for Innovation (Fifteen Awards during 93-00), Dr. George received various awards and honors including the Atlantic Richfield Fellowship and F.W. Bradley Fellowship. Dr. George holds 7 MEMS-related patents, has authored over 40 archival journal publications and has delivered Keynote presentations. He received his Ph.D. and M.S. degrees from the University of California, Berkeley and B. Tech. From the prestigious Indian Institute of Technology at Madras