Celebrating NERS Professor Chihiro Kikuchi
Michigan Engineering will honor the pioneer in nuclear engineering through the installation of Chair Todd Allen as Collegiate Professor.
As Michigan Engineering prepares to honor NERS Chair Todd Allen with the Chihiro Kikuchi Collegiate Professorship on Friday, November 8, we reflect on the remarkable life and contributions of the man for whom this professorship is named, Professor Chihiro Kikuchi. This occasion will culminate in a lecture by Allen, titled “Why Are We Here?” which will conclude the Phoenix Project: From Kikuchi to Fastest Path symposium, focused on sociotechnical research in nuclear technology. This event serves not only as an opportunity to celebrate Allen’s achievements but also as a powerful tribute to Kikuchi, a pioneering force in nuclear engineering whose legacy continues to inspire.
The ceremony will begin at 3:30 p.m. at Palmer Commons in Forum Hall, and those who cannot attend in person are invited to join via Zoom. Following Allen’s lecture, a reception will be held in the Great Lakes Room, allowing the community to gather in memory of Kikuchi’s impact on nuclear engineering, academia, and public policy.
A Life of Scientific Breakthroughs and Resilience
In 1955, Kikuchi joined the University of Michigan’s Willow Run Laboratories as an associate research physicist, rising to Head of the Solid-State Physics Group just three years later. His groundbreaking work in solid-state physics led to the invention of the ruby maser, a low-noise microwave amplifier that played a crucial role in the space program. Recognized as an engineering marvel, the ruby maser was a significant advancement in physics and engineering, and it earned a permanent exhibit at the Smithsonian Institution, marking Kikuchi’s lasting contributions to science.
After joining our department in 1959, Kikuchi expanded his research to include radiation effects in materials and fundamental aspects of materials science, while also becoming deeply engaged in public policy issues. His work earned him the status of Fellow in both the American Physical Society and the American Nuclear Society, and he published over 80 technical articles throughout his career.
A Mentor Remembered: Reflections from Professor Ron Gilgenbach
Professor Emeritus Ron Gilgenbach, a fellow NERS faculty member and the first faculty member to hold the Kikcuhi Professorship, fondly recalls the mentorship and friendship he shared with Kikuchi when he joined the department in 1980. Gilgenbach’s reflections offer a glimpse into Kikuchi’s character, scientific insight, and compassion:
“I was honored that Chihiro Kikuchi was a valued mentor and colleague when I joined the U-M faculty in 1980. He had incredible scientific insight and infectious enthusiasm for nuclear engineering teaching and research as well as energy policy. I greatly admired his tenacity in pursuing his PhD in the early 1940s despite wartime discrimination. One amazing attribute of Chihiro was that he retained his cheerful and optimistic outlook despite the injustices that he previously endured, with no apparent bitterness. Kikuchi’s invention and demonstration of the ruby maser was a brilliant physics and engineering breakthrough that provided a low-noise microwave amplifier for the space program.
Chihiro was always very kind and helpful to this new assistant professor. When he heard that I built a new house he arrived with a tree and a shovel in the trunk of his Chevy. He then proceeded to plant this tree in my yard; backbreaking work considering he was suffering from cancer. I am extremely pleased that the University of Michigan College of Engineering continues to honor Chihiro Kikuchi with this collegiate professorship.”
Professor Kikuchi’s contributions spanned both scientific advancement and mentorship, leaving a profound impact on the fields of nuclear engineering and solid-state physics. His work not only furthered academic knowledge but also enhanced national interests in space and nuclear technology. Today, the University of Michigan honors his legacy through the Chihiro Kikuchi Collegiate Professorship, which serves as an enduring reminder of his achievements and dedication.