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The “Electric Car” has been a hot topic in recent years. Tsing Hua University was the pioneer of Electric Car development, and Prof. Cheng-Kuo Sung served as part of the Electric Car Team as a technician 30 years ago. Now he still pays close attention to the development of the domestic Electric Car industry, and has helped push forward the Electric Car Industry Research Confederation.

Prof. Sung grew up in the Taoyuan Air Force Military Dependents' Village. He is interested in Machines because his father was a master chief of aircraft repairmen. After he completed his military service, he came to Tsing Hua University to research the Electric Car together with the professors. He said: “This was the first huge research project in Taiwan, and many students saw Tsing Hua University as their first choice of university because of the Electric Car research project.” As the Electric Car was developed, Prof. Sung later held the post of Mechanical Engineer at Tang Eng Iron Works’ Electric Car factory, which produced more than a hundred Electric Cars for the Ministry of Transportation and National Science Council. He subsequently went abroad as his teacher had recommended, and after being awarded his PhD by Michigan State University in 1986, returned to Tsing Hua University where he has remained a teacher until now.

Prof. Sung specializes in Mechanical Design and Kinetics. Apart from engaging in research on the Electric Car early on, he studied the bicycle derailleur from 1992 to 2000, and has since 2003 devoted himself to the “Nano Press Molding Process and Device Design” with other professors in the Power Mechanical Engineering department. This project has led to the development of a Thin-film Polarizer together with the domestic industry, which increases the monitor’s energy efficiency and brightness. It is applicable to TV and computer screens, cell phones, E-books, and especially Flexible Displays. “E-books will be able to be rolled up in the future!” he laughed as he described the future of this technology.

Besides engaging in research, Prof. Sung contributes to related fields in both industry and academia at home and abroad. He is currently an editorial member of ASME’s Journal of Vibration and a director of the Acoustics and Automotive Research and Testing Center. In recognition of his research and dedication, Prof. Sung was named an ASME Fellow this April. The American Society of
Mechanical Engineers is a prestigious international engineering organization. There are only 18 professionals from Taiwan including Prof. Sung who have been honored in this way.

Being the eldest son, Prof. Sung is his father’s pride. In his childhood, his father did not earn enough to raise six children, so he went to the market and sold self-made wheaten foods for his family. He remembers that when he was in junior high school, he had to prepare dough every night before going to sleep, and helped sell and tidy up at the close of business after school and on weekends. Such training made him both hard-working and outgoing. When he attended Michigan State University in the U.S., he visited every professor to ask for a scholarship so that he could continue his studies. Unlike it has often been for others, living in another country was never a difficulty for him, but throughout his life has always brought him wonderful memories

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