My Tribute to Prof. Jen-Shih Chang, a Man Whose Absence Leaves a Hole in Our World

Professor J.-S. Chang McMaster University

Hamilton, Ontario (Canada)

(Prof. Chang – left, with very good friend and colleague Prof. Gerard

Touchard - right.)

I first met Jen-Shih Chang in Cambridge, England in 1992 while attending the NATO Advanced Research Workshop on Non-Thermal Plasma Technologies for Pollution Control (21-25 September). Prof. Chang gave the first technical talk of the workshop, presenting an excellent overview of the subject of plasma-based air pollution control entitled “Energetic Electron Induced Plasma Processes for Reduction of Acid and Greenhouse Gases in Combustion Flue Gas.” As I quickly learned, Jen-Shih was very adept at asking penetrating questions about the work of other presenters and offering useful comments about the science and engineering related to the field.

Someone who would soon become a colleague and friend, Dr. Andrzej Miziolek from the US Army Research Laboratory, introduced me to Prof. Chang.

We had many interesting conversation, discussions, and dinners at the workshop together. On these occasions, I quickly learned that Jen-Shih has a wonderful sense of humor, quick wit, and a taste for fine wines and cuisine.

Later in the mid-late 1990s, all three of us, plus others from Chang’s laboratory at McMaster University – Kuniko Urashima and Paul Looy, would collaborate on a project for the US Strategic Environmental Research and Development Program (SERDP) involving the treatment of NOx emissions from a jet engine test facility located at Tinker Air Force Base in Oklahoma City, OK (USA). The technology employed was based on a very innovative technique called “Corona Radical Shower” which was developed by Prof. Chang and some of his

other colleagues. A pilot-scale mobile unit for exhaust gas cleanup was successfully tested at the Tinker base.

In 1997, Prof. Chang played a key role in helping to organize a follow-on conference to the Cambridge workshop, which was held in Brazil. These symposia are now a series, the International Symposium on Non-Thermal/Thermal Plasma Pollution Control Technology & Sustainable Energy. Prof. Chang has been a constant member of its International Organizing Committee. The last time I saw Jen-Shih was at the June 2010 ISNTPT-7 symposium in St. John’s Newfoundland, Canada. We had many stimulating discussions there.

Also, in the 1990s, Jen-Shih and I were members of the organizing committees for a series called the Advanced Oxidation Technology Conferences.

My institution at the time, the Los Alamos National Laboratory, sponsored one of these conferences, AOTS-5, that was held in Albuquerque, New Mexico in May 1999. Jen-Shih and his colleague Dr. Kuniko Urashima attended. We did a whirlwind drive from Albuquerque to Los Alamos to tour my lab one afternoon before our traditional conference dinner/banquet. This time, the dinner was less formal being held at a western-theme ranch and barn. At my lab and on the way back, I quickly changed into jeans, cowboy boots, western shirt etc. Jen-Shih and Kuniko would always remind me later about the dinner, singing around the campfire, and my dress. As usual, Jen-Shih laughed and joked much about it.

We also worked together on the editorial board for a journal, The Journal of Advanced Oxidation Technologies, which was connected to AOTs, with one particular memorable contribution of organizing a special issue of the journal on non-thermal plasma technologies, published in August 1999. We wrote the preface for that issue (volume 4, numbers 3 & 4) and were authors or co-authors of about five separate papers in the issue. As usual, Jen-Shih reported on very interesting research.

I was of course very sad to be informed that my colleague and friend, Prof. Jen-Shih Chang , passed away after a valiant fight with a terrible disease. Those who knew him will surely miss him, his smiling face, his jokes, stimulating discussions, and penetrating questions.

I was surprised to learn, after I met Jen-Shih, that he was ethnic Chinese but raised in Japan and then moved to Canada. That certainly explained some of his language fluency. He was a scientist, a teacher, a mentor, a friend to many, a gourmet, and a connoisseur of fine wine. I will see his kind face in my mind’s eye many times in the coming years. I was glad to know him. His absence leaves a hole in the world of his colleagues and friends. Louis Rosocha

Los Alamos, NM (USA), September 2011

In Memory of Prof. Jen Shih Chang

In memory of Prof. Chang

In the 1960’s the United States of America was the most advanced country in the world in terms of technology, economy, education and life style. We all tried to catch up to the United States. Prof. Chang and I decided on our path in life and left Japan with dreams. Prof. Chang had decided to go to Canada and I left for the US few years prior to Prof. Chang for advanced studies. After receiving my Ph.D., I met Prof. Chang at the IEEE-IAS meeting in Toronto in 1978. I clearly remember his presentation. I was amazed to hear his presentation without shying to speak out to audience with his strong voice and confidence, which was not like myself, a typical Japanese. He was working very hard to pursue his career and moved to McMaster University. Getting research funds is the most important aspect to succeed living in the US and Canada rather than the number of publications. We are always struggling to receive research funds from the government and private sectors from the US and Canada.

During the cold war period in the early 1980s between the US and the Soviet Union, the US Army has been working on DC corona device to decompose toxic gases. However, the US Army was not able to achieve the desired performance therefore they came to the US EPA where I was involved in electrostatic research program at the Research Triangle Institute in North Carolina. The US EPA with the assistance of the US Navy provided a large amount of research grants for me to solve the problem. As a result, a new corona device was successfully developed to decompose various toxic gases. As an extension of the corona device, the plasma technology was applied for decomposing the volatile organic compounds in 1987, prior to the new regulation setting in 1990. This was the turning point to meet and work with Prof. Chang in 1989.

Dr. Penetrante and his group at Lawrence Livermore National laboratory were very much interested in plasma research and invited us to his laboratory to make presentations and discussions on the application of plasma technology in 1990. Later, Dr. Penetrante organized the first International Symposium on Nonthermal Plasma Technology (ISNPT-1) in Cambridge in 1991. This conference has continued to be held every other year till now.

After this conference, our eyes were focused on the Japanese market because of the bubble period in Japan, and we contacted many Japanese industries and conducted collaborative research programs successfully in the US and Canada up to the late 1990's. In addition, Prof. Chang was very energetic to invite many researchers from Japanese universities and industries and published many papers. He also attended all possible conferences in a wide range of plasma engineering conferences and getting acquainted with many researchers from all over the world. He also organized many international conferences and symposiums and was involved in promoting international journals.

As indicated earlier, all researchers in the US and the

Canada are mandated to achieve certain funds every year to sustain their position as well as their staff members working with them. We were not the exception. He was enthusiastic, active and confident and was successful getting research funds. One of the reasons was that he loved his research work from the bottom of his heart and also loved to speak out to the world. We constantly contacted with potential sponsors and wrote proposals but I was getting tired of the competitive grant dependent life to some extent, and worried about the uncertainties in my future. In the late 1990's, I started looking for a position at a Japanese university, so that I would not need to worry about getting research funds as well as salaries anymore. I was longing for an easier life although the situation in the Japanese universities is changing now. In addition, I have never worked before at a university and was interested in a new career in Japan.

However, Prof. Chang continued to work to receive research grants cheerfully and successfully. This was due to his toughness, strength, confidence, and willingness. Even after his retirement, he was very active, pursuing all aspects of research activities. As I understand, Prof. Chang and I are the only Japanese researchers devoted to plasma research in the US and Canada. He is a real warrior and fighter in that sense!

When I heard about his sudden death, I could not believe it because we had communication only a few weeks before his death. We came to foreign counties as pioneers with challenging spirits and now I have lost a good friend. In one sense, we were competing against each other for a long time. Now, I would like to mourn for him with condolence. We all will not forget his smiling face. You have done a tremendous contribution to society. We miss you. Rest in peace, Prof. Chang! Toshiaki Yamamoto

Condolence letter for Professor J.S. Chang

Professor Chang and Yasuoka Lab.

One of the most valuable books for me is Professor Chang’s “Denrikitai no GenshiBunshi Katei” signed by him as shown below. Every time he visited our laboratory, he participated in laboratory seminars, exchanged views, and suggested new research topics. His personal network extended over various academic boundaries such as in the fields of electrical, mechanical, chemical, and physical engineering. He was an embodiment of plasma engineering that involves various fields. I can hear his voice even now.

I met Professor Chang and Dr. Urashima for the first

time at the IEEJ meeting held in Okinawa in February 2002. He commented on my presentation saying that the energy stored in a gas bottle should be included for efficiency calculations. He always provided insights from an engineering standpoint.

A few years later, Mr. Yamatake was accepted as a researcher in Professor Chang’s laboratory at McMaster University. The following three letters are written by people who received Professor Chang’s warm and kind hospitality at McMaster University.

Professor Chang mentored me for three months in

summer 2005 at McMaster University. In those days, I always had lunch with him and other members and we communicated a lot. His knowledge was very wide and this made our conversations very interesting. Thus, I had a good and valuable experience at McMaster University. He sometimes gave us funny nicknames. For example, I was called “zanpan-shori” because he thought I was a big eater and another member was called “danboru house” because he used large corrugated cardboards for experiments. Professor Chang was a very joyful person and I was happy to spend time with him. I am very grateful to Professor Chang.

Atsushi Yamatake (Mitsubishi Electric)

Dear Professor Chang, During my long-term stay in Hamilton, Professor

Chang took me and my wife to many nice places. He and his students always made us laugh. We are deeply grateful to him.

I can clearly remember the time we went on a journey to Montreal. He drove the entire way from Hamilton to Montreal, which took more than 20 hours (maybe he was afraid of my driving), but he was the most energetic among us during the journey. When we visited a historical museum, he walked around so fast, took many photos, and gave explanations about everything there. I always wondered how he acquired so much knowledge. I wanted to visit many other places with him and listen to his lectures.

I am very proud of being one of his students. I will travel all over the world, drink, and laugh with my friends and students as he did.

Nozomi Takeuchi (Tokyo Tech.) As a university student, I traveled to McMaster

University, Canada where Professor Chang taught. That was my first solo trip abroad and I was excited to go for a walk at night. However, Professor Chang said, “Let’s eat dinner together because being alone at night is dangerous.” My night adventure plan was disrupted by his parental concern. If I could meet him again, I would ask him to allow me to take him out every night and would like to drink with him all night.

I am grateful to Professor Chang for being with us and may his soul rest in peace.

Mio Yasuoka (Caterpillar - Japan) Professor Chang carried athletic shoes every time he

attended international conferences. He was well prepared for the study of not only plasma engineering but also historic ruins all over the world. Recently, I bought foldable shoes to carry in my travel bag.

Koichi Yasuoka (Tokyo Tech.)

Prof. Jen-Shih Chang keeps smiling in another world

Moo Been Chang

Chungli, Taiwan, Sep. 25, 2011

I first met with Prof. Jen-shin Chang in the Air & Waste Management Association (AWMA) Annual Conference held in San Antonio in June 1995 although I had read many good papers on the plasma authored by Him since I was a graduate student. In the conference we attended the same session on the development of innovative technologies for air pollution control. He and I each presented the papers on the application of nonthermal plasma for VOC control. After the session, we had lunch together in a local Chinese restaurant and we had a good chat on various topics, ranging from the development and research needs of nonthermal plasma technologies for industrial application to Chinese food. The first impression He gave to me was His broad knowledge which is not limited to the science and technology. Later on He invited me to attend the 2nd ISNTPT which was held in Salvador in August 1997, and that occasion was my first time to have the direct contact with the research community on nonthermal plasma research, since then my research group has actively attended the ISNTPT meeting and even organized the 6th ISNTPT in Taipei in 2008 thanks to His continuous support and encouragement.

During my first sabbatical leave (January –July 2001), I stayed in Prof. Chang’s Lab. as a visiting professor with his invitation. Coincidently, Prof. Takaki from Iwate University in Japan was also visiting there. During the period I had a better chance to work with Him closely and know Him more. From the daily interaction, I found Jen-Shih is a very enthusiastic gentleman, always works hard and has a good sense of humor, especially with His unique smiling and laughter. In addition, He is also a very good host to many young scientists from different countries visiting His laboratory. I remembered on a chilly Spring morning He arranged a short visit to Burllington Park which is not far away from McMaster University (see the picture attached). After the visiting in 2001, we still have good contact regarding the research on the application of nonthermal and thermal plasma technologies in air pollution control and environment remediation. He also cared much about the research and application of plasma technology in Taiwan and He had been to Taiwan many times and made many good friends in Taiwan. He is open-minded and willing to help/encourage the scientists from Taiwan and other Asian countries to participate and even hold the international conference. His sudden death is a big loss to the nonthermal research community. Nontheless, he has left us a lot of good legacies. I believe He will be remembered as a professor who always works hard on the scientific research, who is optimistic with unique smiling, who is effective in communication, and who is willing to help others especially young professionals in

developing their expertise and career. Wish Prof. Jen-Shih Chang keep smiling in another world.

(Picture, from left to right) Prof. Sue from Brazil, Prof. Jen-Shjh

Chang, Moo Been Chang and Prof. Takaki

A Great Supervisor and Mentor

by Oi Lun Helena Li

This is a tribute to the late Prof. J.S. Chang, who supervised my postgraduate study at McMaster University, Canada from 2004 -2010. He was a wonderful supervisor who cared for his disciples greatly. I was first introduced to his research group in 2004, during my master degree in water treatment area. When I read Prof. Chang’s academic profile, I was very amazed in the diverse scientific areas he covered. He was an accomplished scientist authored and co-authored hundreds of papers not only in environmental studies, but also in electrostatics, electrohydrodynamics, flow mechanics and plasma science. Most surprisingly, I was lucky for being admitted by an enthusiastic, warm-hearted professor to his research team.

However, I have to confess that I did not share a close relationship with Prof. Chang at the outset of his mentoring. Indeed he was a giant figure at that time in the eye of a 22-year-old girl: “A great scientist and genius”. Prof. Chang seemed to know everything: from Engineering Physics to Plasma Chemistry. With his significant laughter, he was very friendly yet still a bit distance from me.

Actually I didn’t aware of his side of humorous and adventurous personalities until I had an international conference trip in Italy and Switzerland with Prof. Chang and Prof. T. Oda in summer, 2008. In addition to his great accomplishment in academic researches, Prof. Chang’s devotion on historical heritage and wineries were very well known amongst his friends. During that trip, I learned so much about the history of various castles, ancient sites and wine tasting skills. Starting from then, Prof. Chang was similar to a father figure in my life. We often went out together for beers or night snacks during summer times and went for hiking and picnics in autumn too. When we attended overseas conferences together, Prof. Chang usually volunteered to be my tour guide and showed me delicious food, tasty wine and cultural heritages as well. In the aspect of my study, Prof. Chang advised and guided my research whole-heartedly. Additionally he also taught me about the positive mindset and moral of a scientist. Thanks to Prof. Chang, I have decided to continue my career in academic area. I still remember he once said to me: “I believe that you have potential as a great researcher.” This is the reason for my choice in this career path.

Prof. Chang was also a generous mentor to a whole generation of young scientists. Every year, he welcomed postgraduates and postdoctoral students from Europe, South America and Asia to his research group. I strongly believe that Prof. Chang’s warm hospitality, guidance and encouragement will be very much appreciated and remembered by all of us.

Dear Prof. Chang, you will stay alive in our heart.

In Memory of Professor Jen Shih Chang

N. A. Debacher

Department of Chemistry, Federal University of Santa Catarina, Florianopolis, SC, Brazil

The first time I met Professor Chang was in July 2003.

At that time one of my PhD students wrote to him asking for some help and his opinion about her PhD project. He PROMPTLY answered, so I invited him to visit our research group at Federal University of Santa Catarina in Brazil. He accepted my invitation and since he was coming to visit the University of Brasilia, Rio de Janeiro and São Paulo where He was already working in collaboration in different research programs, I made the arrangements for him to come to Florianopolis. There He spent a few days discussing plasma science at the University and enjoying the local sea food.

It was a turning point for my working group, since his contribution was always very rich and dynamic. In 2004 I spend a few months in Canada at the McMaster University in Hamilton. There, we carried out research on thermo plasma and had some results published. Since then we build up a very strong scientific cooperation and Professor Chang become a special friend of me and my wife Marina and for our joy he came to Florianopolis a few more times.

I am deeply grateful to Professor Chang for what He did for me and my research group. He also hosted in his lab at MacMaster University, at that time, two of my PhD students Pericles Khalaf and Luis Otavio Benetolli. I am sure they also are profoundly indebted to him for his interest in their work giving them assistance, critical remarks and support.

I really think he was a remarkable kind of person! Besides his rich scientific background, his brilliant work as an engineer throughout the world, his ability to speak different languages, he had an extensive knowledge of archeology, anthropology and history. He had a special interest about the culture of the Native people who first inhabited the South Brazil, particularly in the Island of Santa Catarina, where I live. He was very intrigued about the inscriptions and drawings made in rocks at the sea shore in Santinho beach by the first settlers, and He used to say “One day I will write a book about the ancient civilizations in South America”

Professor Chang was a very skillful in organizing conferences around the World. Thanks to him, I was able to attend a few of them, I had the opportunity to make new friends, learn more about the plasma science and visit many interesting places in Canada, Taiwan, and many other Countries.

Dear Professor Chang, thank you very much for all these very special moments and you will stay as a part of us forever.

In Memory of Prof. Jen-Shir Chang

Masaki Kuzumoto Mitsubishi Electric Corp.,

8-1-1 , Tsukaguchi-Honmachi, Amagasaki, Hyogo, 661-8661 Japan

I was asking the lecture of Prof. Jen-Shih Chang

about "plasmas and their application" in Okayama, Japan on February 23, 2011. Of course, we were supposed to enjoy the delicious food and alcohol after the lecture. However, I received an e-mail from Prof. Chang just before that. By the mail, he said that he would like to cancel this visit to Japan because there is the necessity for inspection hospitalization. Since it was inspection hospitalization, I was not worried at all. But sudden sad news reached the end in February. It was not believed at all. It was too unsatisfying. I have often thought that he appears unexpectedly and he is laughing by my side.

Prof. Chang has come to our laboratory once. He observed the barrier discharge for CO2 laser excitation (Fig. 1) which we developed. The barrier discharge was formed in gap space of about 60 mm between the dielectric electrodes. Luminescence was repeated for every half cycle of applied alternating voltage. I remember that he said that he looked at the beautiful discharge like such aurora for the first time. This equipment is playing an active part in industrial uses, such as puncturing of a printed circuit board, cutting, welding, in the front lines.

I was able to go to various places as a result of Chang's plans. Maybe, there were many places which were not so suitable as the position of the researcher of a company. I also obtained experience which gives a lecture at the McMaster University, Canada. I remember that I talked to students, sweating very much. I have experienced various delicious alcohol and pleasant hot springs by his favor. It was only pleasant recollections.

I remember that he was a very social teacher. However he might be tired, he associated to the last. He made the human network from the most important position in researchers, and always activated the network. I think that he was the authority who is truly irreplaceable.

I believe that he is concerned with various people also in the next world and smiling in the middle. I pray for his bliss.

Dear Prof. Chang, thank you very much for being with us.

Barrier discharge for CO2 laser excitation

Discharge gap length is 60mm.