James C. Hung Passes Away

Dr. James C. Hung, Professor Emeritus, at the University of Tennessee, USA, passed away in Knoxville, Tennessee, USA, on December 27, 2010.

Prof. James C. Hung, a Life Fellow of the IEEE, received a BS degree from the National Taiwan University, and an MS and a Dr Eng Sc. Degrees From the New York University.

Prof. Hung was a distinguished Service Professor of the University of Tennessee and Professor Emeritus. He was a Honorary Professor of several Universities in China. Whilst at the University of Tennessee, he was responsible for the curriculum and research in the area of control systems.  

Prof. Hung directed research projects supported by NASA and the US Department of Defense. The research was mainly in system integration, guidance and control, inertial navigation, data reduction, and industrial control.

Prof. Hung was Editor-in-Chief of the IEEE Transactions on Industrial Electronics; President of the Industrial Electronics Society; and is a Life Member of the Administrative Committee of the IE Society.

Prof. Hung received the 2006 Lifetime Contribution to Factory Automation Award; now renamed to ABB Lifetime Contribution to Factory Automation Award. The Award is presented to individuals in grateful recognition of their lifetime contribution to the factory and industrial automation field; for meritorious technical contribution and technical leadership.

Prof. Hung received in 2007 the Diplome of Honor from the University of Patras, Greece, in recognition of his great scientific contribution to the Industrial Electronics field.

Prof. Hung was a visionary; his efforts resulted in the establishment in 2005 of the IEEE IES Technical Committee on Factory Automation. He was a driving force behind the annual IEEE International Conference on Emerging Technologies and Factory Automation (ETFA). The James C. Hung Best Paper Award for Factory Automation, awarded annually,  carries his name.

We will miss him. His contribution to the profession and friendship will never be forgotten.