May 10, 2007

Timothy Grotjohn has been named chairperson of the Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering. His appointment is effective May 10, 2007, pending approval by the provost and the MSU Board of Trustees. “Professor Grotjohn’s wealth of technical and administrative expertise will help meet the aspirations and goals of both the department and the college,” said Satish Udpa, dean of the College of Engineering.

Grotjohn received his bachelor’s degree (1982) and his master’s degree (1984) in electrical engineering from the University of Minnesota. He earned his PhD in electrical engineering from Purdue University in 1986. He joined the MSU faculty as an assistant professor in 1987, served as associate chairperson for undergraduate studies in the Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering from 2001 to 2005, and has been acting chairperson of the department since June 2005. He received the college’s Withrow Excellence in Teaching Award in electrical and computer engineering in 2002, the Withrow Distinguished Scholar Award in 2004, and the Withrow Exceptional Service Award in 2005.

Grotjohn’s research interests include the modeling, design, diagnostics, and applications of plasma-assisted materials processes and processing machines. A strong focus of his work is the use of models, including electromagnetic, plasma dynamic, and plasma chemistry models, for the design and control of microwave plasma reactors used for materials processing. Specific processes studied have included diamond chemical vapor deposition (CVD), amorphous carbon deposition, semiconductor etching, and microwave-generated plasma discharges operated as ion and radical sources. In coor­dination with the modeling studies are his plasma diagnostic studies. His recent work looks in particular at mini- and micro-scale plasma discharges and their application.

His scholarly work has resulted in 41 reviewed journal publications, 5 book sections/chapters, 142 conference papers/presentations, and three patents, with others pending. He has supervised ten PhD graduates.

Grotjohn was co-chair of the 2006 Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers, Inc. (IEEE) International Conference on Plasma Science in Traverse City, Michigan; served as session chair at the 2006 International Workshop on Microwave Discharges; was session organizer (Electron, Ion, and Plasma Sources) at the IEEE International Conference on Plasma Science in 2004; and served as technical area co-coordinator for Plasma Diagnostics at the IEEE International Conference on Plasma Science in 2000 and 2001.

He is also a member of the American Society for Engineering Education, Eta Kappa Nu, Sigma Xi, Phi Kappa Phi, the Materials Research Society, and the American Vacuum Society.