Threshold November-December 2021

Volume 38, No. 6 November/December 2021 THRESHOLD TM On behalf of EOS/ESD Association, Inc. and the 2021 Symposium Steering Committee, I would like to say a big “Thank You” to all the volunteers and our Headquarter Staff of the EOS/ESD Association, Inc., making the 43rd Annual EOS/ESD Symposium and Exhibits at The Westin La Paloma Resort & Spa in Tucson, Arizona, a great success. “Thank You” also to all attendees, either being in person on-site in Tucson or connecting from anywhere in the world remotely – without the EOS/ESD experts contributing and attending the conference, the Symposium would not be the leading international event for professionals in academia and industry on EOS/ESD topics. One year ago, just after the first EOS/ESD Symposium in hybrid format, nobody could have expected that also in 2021 the COVID-19 pandemic will restrict the on-site attendance significantly. However, international travel was almost impossible and domestic travel was strongly restricted by government and company policies, and, therefore, the EOS/ ESD Symposium was for the second time held as a hybrid event with the vast majority of attendance being virtual. With theexperienceof thefirst hybridEOS/ESDSymposium in 2020, the online experience could be improved significantly. Many of you liked the new platform with the single entry point and the easy navigation between tracks, sessions, and contributions. Beyond the change of the platform, in the 43rd EOS/ESD Symposium, the Steering Committee and the Symposium Strategy Team have completely re-structured the program. Instead of the traditional sessions, the program was organized now in five focus areas, each of the focus area with a program of 1-1.5 days. The focus areas have been Advanced Technologies and Device Testing, Automotive, Communications, Mixed Voltage Applications, and, as in the last years, EMC. Each focus area has been comprised of one or several sessions with technical papers, invited talks, tutorials, seminars, and workshops. Additionally, this year the Symposium started for the first time already on Monday and was, therefore, one day longer than in the past, allowing more time for program and discussion. In parallel, for the fifth time in the history of the EOS/ESD Symposium, the “Manufacturing Track” offered full 3.5 days of technical sessions, hands-on sessions, workshops, discussion groups, and technology showcases in the field of EOS/ESD in manufacturing – control materials, technologies, and techniques. With the very positive feedback of the attendees, the Steering Committee and the Symposium Strategy Team will continue to follow this approach for the 2022 EOS/ ESD Symposium. We are looking forward to seeing you at the next EOS/ESD Symposium at the Peppermill in Reno, Nevada – this time hopefully really in person! Wolfgang Stadler 2021 EOS/ESD Symposium General Chair