Insights
IV Remembers Kenichi Fuse
May 9, 2012
- Buzz
- IV Remembers Kenichi Fuse
This week at the IV Japan office we were saddened to learn that one of the most prolific inventors in our global inventor network, Mr. Kenichi Fuse, passed away after a brave battle with pancreatic cancer. He was 65 years old.
A multi-talented expert in optics, electronics and packaging, Mr. Fuse first began working with Intellectual Ventures in 2008 and by the end of 2009 he had been named the "Most Valuable Inventor" by the Japanese office. Mr. Fuse's inventions for IV covered a wide range of technologies, reflecting his reputation as a polymath.
After graduating from the prestigious Keio University in 1971 with both a Bsc. and Msc. in mechanical engineering, Mr. Fuse began his career at the Furukawa Electric Company, eventually becoming chief of the optics market development division from 2000 to 2003. He followed this with stints as CTO at FCM Co., Ltd. and Kyowa Densen Co., Ltd., finally establishing his own specialty company in 2007 to support his invention efforts, InterFusion Research & Consulting.
Over the course of his lifetime, Mr. Fuse filed 263 Japanese patent applications and has been granted 134 Japanese patents, in addition to 21 US patent applications of which he was granted 10. He was a member of a number of optics and packaging related professional societies, and his 1989 paper about solder pre coat technology won the award for best paper at the International SAMPE technical conference.
Mr. Fuse's death is a loss not only for IV but for the entire global innovation community. We extend our sincere condolences to his family, friends and colleagues.
