Ivory Tower: GNDU alumnus Dr Gurtej shines as Global Tech Titan

A testament to intellectual prowess and innovation, Dr Gurtej Sandhu, an alumnus of Guru Nanak Dev University (GNDU), Amritsar, has etched his name among the world’s greatest inventors, securing 1,382 US patents. Sandhu now ranks as the 7th most prolific inventor globally, bringing immense pride to his alma mater and the nation. He now has more patents than Thomas Edison.

A trailblazer in semiconductor technology, Dr Sandhu, currently Senior Fellow and vice-president at Micron Technology, has spearheaded ground breaking advancements in microelectronics. His pioneering contributions to atomic layer deposition, oxygen-free titanium coating, and pitch-doubling techniques have been pivotal in sustaining Moore’s Law, enabling the creation of smaller, faster, and more efficient chips that power modern devices like smartphones, cameras, and cloud storage systems. These innovations have quietly transformed the digital landscape, touching the lives of billions worldwide. He is recognized for being the all-time seventh most prolific inventor as measured by number of U.S. utility patents.

Dr Sandhu’s journey began at GNDU, where he completed his M.Sc. (Hons.) in Physics around 1980. The son of Prof SS Sandhu, the founding Head of GNDU’s Chemistry Department, he earned a B.Tech in Electrical Engineering from IIT Delhi and a Ph.D. in Physics from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, blending rigorous scholarship with a passion for innovation.

The Vice-Chancellor of GNDU, Prof Dr Karamjeet Singh, hailed Dr Sandhu’s achievements as “a moment of unparalleled pride for Guru Nanak Dev University and India.” He added, “Dr. Sandhu’s journey from our campus to global acclaim exemplifies how dedication and intellectual curiosity can reshape the world. His success is an inspiration for our students and faculty alike.”

Dr Sandhu’s contributions have earned him prestigious accolades, including the IEEE Andrew S. Grove Award in 2018, for his advancements in semiconductor scaling. Yet, his humility remains striking. Reflecting on his innovations, he once remarked, “Initially, I didn’t think my idea was a big deal,” a statement that underscores the quiet brilliance behind his monumental achievements.

At 58, Dr Gurtej Sandhu continues to drive the digital revolution, his work at Micron Technology shaping the future of technology. As the global tech community celebrates his contributions, Dr Sandhu remains a proud symbol of Indian-origin talent making an indelible mark on the world.