Academician Leroy L. Chang passed away in California, USA at the age of 73. The memorial service will be held on Sunday, August 17, in the El Camino Memorial Park in San Diego, California, USA.

Academician Chang received his Bachelor’s degree from the Department of Electrical Engineering, National Taiwan University in 1957. He graduated from Stanford University in the USA with a Ph.D. degree in Electrical Engineering in 1963. After graduation, he conducted research on semiconductor devices at Watson Research Center of IBM.

Academician Chang developed the Semiconductor Quantum Well, Super Lattice Structure (SLS), and unveiled the quantum effects within them in 1974. The discovery opened a new field for semiconductor research and paved the way for nano science and technology including physics, materials, electronics, mechanics and bio-systems.

Due to his great achievements and contributions, Academician Chang was granted many awards and honors in researches and education, including the International Prize for New Materials (American Physical Society, 1985), membership in the U.S. National Academy of Engineering (1988), the David Sarnoff Award (Institute of Electrical & Electronic Engineers, 1990), the Stuart Ballantine Medal (Franklin Institute, 1993), Academician of Academia Sinica, R.O.C. (1994), membership in the U.S. National Academy of Sciences (1994), membership in the Chinese Academy of Sciences (1994), and membership in the Hong Kong Academy of Engineering Sciences (1994).

Academician Chang returned to Taiwan and helped found the Research Center for Applied Sciences (RCAS) of Academia Sinica in 1998. He visited local universities and the Industrial Technology Research Institute several times, and called for meetings to achieve a consensus about the research directions and identities of RCAS. He also encouraged Academician Chen-Shui Tsai to become the first Director of RCAS in 1999. Academician Chang continued to serve in the advisory committee of RCAS. Academician Chang is considered the most important promoter of the establishment and development of RCAS, Academia Sinica. His presence and guidance will be missed.