3-minute read - by Sander Hofman, June 29, 2016
In his career spanning over 30 years at ASML, President and CTO Martin van den Brink has received many awards for his contributions to nanotechnology and microelectronics, including the IEEE Cledo Brunetti Award, the Robert N Noyce Medal and an honorary doctorate from the University of Amsterdam. He's also a Knight of the Order of the Dutch Lion (Orde van de Nederlandse Leeuw). So what advice does Martin have for the young engineers of today? Here's what Martin contributed to the yearbook for the Delft University of Technology 'Electrotechnische Vereeniging' study association.
“When I was asked to contribute to the yearbook of a study association in Delft, I had a moment of doubt. After all, my own academic roots were on the other side of the country. But then I realized the association in question was the Electrotechnische Vereeniging. Your association has supplied the world with top technical talent for almost 100 years. You can be proud of that. So allow me to say that it is an honor to contribute with this short reflection on the start of my career. I hope it helps you in yours.
“My own career started 31 years ago, after my studies Electrical Engineering (HTS Arnhem with an internship at Delft University) and Physics (University of Twente). I went looking for a job and thought I had found it at Philips, until I was handed a flyer during my job interview. The flyer read ‘Advanced Semiconductor Manufacturing Lithography’.
“A joint venture of Philips and ASMI, ‘ASML’ would manufacture chip machines. The consensus in the market was that the whole thing was doomed. One American analyst even wrote: 'ASM Lithography must give up aspirations to be a player in the manufacturing market. The world passed them by about two years before they started.'
