tech
February 10, 2026
I was looking for freedom...
Sju left his position as team leader at California-based company Atomic Semi, which also received investment from OpenAI.
TL;DR
- Xu Zhenpeng, a Chinese semiconductor engineer, left his leadership role at California-based Atomic Semi to join Shanghai Jiao Tong University.
- He cited stricter corporate policies and compliance requirements in the US semiconductor sector as a barrier to his international mobility and long-term research goals.
- Xu aims to advance 3D printing technology for electronic devices, focusing on high-precision components, ultra-light satellite antennas, and streamlined chip integration.
- His previous work included developing 3D-printed antenna versions 100 times thinner than a human hair for 5G/6G networks.
- The move is motivated by academic goals and a desire for a more independent research environment in China's rapidly developing advanced manufacturing ecosystem.