Tech Talk: When Electronics Go Zap! Real-World Failures and Lessons Learned

Tuesday, August 12, 2025, 1pm ET

Get ready for a lively, town hall-style tech talk where a panel of industry veterans share their personal encounters with Electrostatic Discharge (ESD) failures. This engaging discussion moves beyond the textbook, diving deep into real-world case studies. You'll see images of damaged components and hear expert analysis of ESD symptoms (from immediate damage to hidden problems).

Town hall-style panel discussion.

These experts will share their "war stories" with ESD, providing valuable takeaways and practical insights applicable to devices of all kinds.

The interactive format encourages audience participation, creating a dynamic exchange of knowledge and ideas.

Don't miss this chance to learn from the best and boost your understanding of ESD's critical impact on electronic systems.

Panel: 

Wolfgang Stadler

Kathleen Muhonen

Kathleen Muhonen is currently a Principal Development Engineer at Qorvo in Greensboro, NC.  She is responsible for developing ESD on-chip protection for Qorvo’s products.  She is also involved with system level testing and in ESD instrumentation for better ESD characterization of clamps and materials.  Previously she was involved in RF characterization and model support for Silicon and Gallium Arsenide technologies for power amplifiers, switches and antenna tuners. This included developing state of the art harmonic characterization, breakdown characterization and improved de-embedding techniques of large scale SOI switches. Kathleen's previous experience includes power amplifier design at RF Micro Devices, assistant professor at Penn State Erie, linearization design for base stations at Hewlett Packard, millimeter wave power amplifier design at Lockheed Martin.

Kathleen is a member of the ESD Association and sits on all device testing standards committees.  She has also served on the Board of Directors for the ESD Association.

Kathleen received her BSEE degree from Michigan Technological University in 91, a MSEE from Syracuse University in 94 and a Ph.D.EE from Penn State University in 99.