IEEE Solid-State Circuits Magazine - Summer 2014 - 38

Directly associated to Prof. Rinaldo Castello it is
the creation of the "Studio di Microelettronica",
a noteworthy example of university-industry
research and advanced education collaboration
in the field of ICT, with a particular focus
on Microelectronics.
together with Angiolino Stella, representing the University of Pavia,
conducted a ribbon cutting ceremony for the official opening of the
new Marvell Italy in Pavia.
The research activity developed
over the years by Pavia researchers,
combined with Rinaldo's personal
connections in Silicon Valley (and that
of is colleagues), equally contributed
to catch the attention of other multinational companies. In this view,
a notable example is National Semiconductor, a leading microelectronics
company that started to collaborate
with our University around 2003. The
key promoter of the project, Dennis
Monticelli, was both a National top
manager and an old friend of Rinaldo.
The cooperation grew over the year
under Dennis sponsorship, and ultimately led to the creation of a National
R&D centre near Pavia in 2006.
A key role in attracting other semiconductors companies was played by
the successful joint research projects
carried out with many such companies
by the local team of Microelectronics
professors that included, in addition
to Rinaldo, Prof. F. Maloberti, Prof.
F. Montecchi, Prof. G. Torelli, Prof F.
Svelto and myself. Not coincidentally,
indeed, AMS, ACCO and Micron R&D
teams settled in Pavia or in the nearby
area, (e.g. Assago between Milano and
Pavia), such as in the case of Maxim.
Due to its size, the latter settlement is
no doubt one of the most significant.
Once again, Prof. Castello's personal
relationships, in this case leveraging
also the strong influence of its former graduates, was fundamental in
making it possible. Maxim establishment in Italy, indeed, is primarily the
result of the joint action of Francesco

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Rezzi and Sui She, both Prof. Castello's collaborators in Pavia and Berkeley respectively. Over time, Maxim
has been growing up quite quickly,
with the opening of new branches in
Catania and Pisa. Today they employ
more than 150 researchers, primarily
young graduates.
Last but not least, I'd like to spend
a few words about the agreement
signed between the University of
Pavia and International Rectifier in
2001, on occasion of a joint research
project. Thanks to the awareness of
the strong know-how and skills of
our resources in the field of electronics, International Rectifier, a leading
company in the field of semiconductor power devices, decided to open
in Pavia a new design centre.
The combination of the initiatives
outlined above has resulted in the creation in the Pavia area of nearly 400
new highly qualified job positions.
Just as an example, of the approximately 100 Marvell employees in
Pavia, 98% hold a college degree and
almost 40% a Ph.D. We can conclude
that the group of professors active
in Pavia in the area of Microelectronics (and especially Prof. Castello) has
contributed to the creation of a winwin situation for university, industry
and students. On the one hand the
University can offer to his graduates
(especially Ph.Ds) attractive local job
opportunities in leading industries.
This is relatively uncommon in Italy
and gives the University a competitive advantage in recruiting new students. On the other hand the local
industries can find talented researchers that, being already inserted in the
real world of design, are immediately
productive. Last but not least, young

IEEE SOLID-STATE CIRCUITS MAGAZINE

graduates are given the opportunity
to practice the skills acquired during
their studies for their both economic
end professional satisfaction.

About the Author
Enrico Dallago was graduated in
Electrical Engineering in 1974 at the
University of Pavia, where he is now
a Full Professor of Power Electronics.
Over the years, his research activity has embraced various topics in
the field of industrial and power electronics which can be summarized
as follows (in chronological order):
circuit simulation of power electronics converters, applications of microcontrollers to electrical drives, finite
element method analysis of power
semiconductor devices, modelling of
power electronics devices, reliability
of electronic devices for automotive
applications, high frequency switching
mode power supplies, thermal analysis of electronic devices and systems,
integrated power devices, magnetic
field micro-sensors, energy harvesting
systems and wireless body sensors.
He founded the Power Electronics
Research Group and has cooperated
in many industrial projects in both
the electrical and electronics fields
after establishing research contracts
between the university and industrial partners. In recent years he has
worked with Magneti Marelli, International Rectifier, STMicroeletronics and
CNAO (Centro Nazionale di Adroterapia Oncologica).
In addition to managing research
contracts with firms, he has participated in European research projects
and directed research groups for
research projects financed by the CNR
and he has participated in PRIN projects and, over the years, been accorded
university research funds (FAR).
He is the author of more than 150
publications both in journals and
conference proceedings and holds
patents in the field of electronics.
He is currently engaged in substantial PhD supervision, both as a
coordinator and supervisor.

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of IEEE Solid-State Circuits Magazine - Summer 2014