Ken Lakin [In Memoriam]

Recounts the life and professional achievements of Ken Lakin. Kenneth Lakin was born on 14 January 1941 in Grand Rapids, Michigan, USA. He graduated from the University of Michigan with B.S. and M.S. degrees in physics, mathematics, and electrical engineering and received his Ph.D. in applied physics from Stanford University in 1969. Dr. Lakin made pioneering contributions to microwave acoustic materials, devices, and applications, where he introduced consistently new and innovative ideas. He worked in the microwave acoustic field for more than 40 years, and his work significantly advanced the state of the art. He is probably best known for his following achievements: He played a key role in the successful demonstration of the use of aluminum nitride as a material for microwave acoustic applications; He demonstrated the first FBAR device in the early eighties, the socalled solidly mounted resonator (SMR). Dr. Lakin passed away on 24 November 2012.