Masayuki Ieda

Biography

Masayuki Ieda was born on October 8, 1925 in Tokyo. He received the Bachelor’s Degree in Electrical Engineering in 1949 and the PhD in Engineering in 1964 from Nagoya University. He became Research Associate of Dept. of Electrical Engineering, School of Engineering, Nagoya University in 1949, later becoming Assistant Professor in 1959, Associate Professor in 1960 and Professor in 1960. From 1986 to 1989 he was Dean of the School of Engineering, Nagoya University and he retired from the university in 1989. He was Professor Emeritus at Nagoya University and Professor at Aichi Institute of Technology since 1989.

The main research achievement of Professor M. Ieda was strong pioneering work in the development of polymeric insulating materials and their application to HV power apparatus and cables. As early as 1950, he realized the potential application of synthetic polymers as new insulating materials to electric power apparatus and cables. He did much outstanding research work to clarify the mechanisms of high-field conduction, breakdown and aging of synthetic polymers and also applied it to HV power apparatus and cables. For example, he made a large contribution to realize the 275 kV (1989) and 500 kV (2000) long-distance CV cable power transmission line in service in Japan.

He spent two  years, 1964-1966, as a postdoctoral fellow at Cornel1 University with Professor Peter Debye, who received the Nobel Prize in 1936. After coming back to Japan, he endeavored with Professors Inuishi and Yahagi to found the IEEJ Technical Committee on Electrical Insulating

Materials (the Japanese DEIS) in 1967 and to have the first Symposium of Electrical Insulating Materials in Japan (1968) to provide an opportunity for university and industry researchers to discuss their results and exchange their experience and information in a friendly atmosphere.

Many people in the field of  dielectrics and electrical insulation in Japan strongly supported and developed his idea.  He also made a great contribution in arranging a UsJapan Seminar on Electrical Conduction and Breakdown in Dielectrics in 1979 (Florida, US) where many scientists and engineers attended from both the US and Japan. He organized many IEEE-DEIS sponsored international conferences

in Japan, such as the International Workshop on Electrical Charges in Dielectrics in 1978 (Kyoto), which now is succeeded by the Intemational Symposium on Electrets, the ICPADM in 1991 (Tokyo), the International Symposium on HV Engineering in 1993 (Yokohama), ISEIM in 1995 (Tokyo) and 1998 (Toyohashi). He served several times as Guest Editor of the IEEE Transactions on Electrical Insulation. He also made a great contribution to CIGRE and IEC. He received the CIGRE Distinguished Member Award in 1995.

He was not only Professor at the Nagoya University and the Aichi

Institute of Technology, but also Visiting Professor of many foreign uni versities such as ETH (Switzerland), TU Braunschweig (Germany) and Harbin University of Science and Technology (China). He was an excellent professor and always enjoyed discussions with young students and researchers. They were deeply impressed by his encouragement and warm personality. They are now working actively all over the world. 4 ACTIVITIES IN VARIOUS

He was Dean of the School of  Engineering, Nagoya University, from

1986 to 1989, President of IEEJ from 1991 to 1992, and Member of the FIELDS

Science Council of Japan from 1985 to 1994. He played an important

role in managing and planning the Nagoya University, IEEJ and the academic and scientific administration in Japan. He received the outstanding contribution award from the Japan Engineering Education So ciety in 1998. He also served as Chairman and/or Member of various government and local committees. Masayuki Ieda will be remembered not only as an excellent professor, but also as a great leader by the scientific and engineering community

He received many other awards such as the

He authored more than 400 papers and books and educated many leading scientists in industry and academia.  He received many awards and honors for his contributions to the field, including the Electric Power Award of IEE Japan in 1980, the Outstanding Contributions

Award of IEE Japan in 1993 and the CIGRE Distinguished Member Award in 1995.

In 1993, he received the IEEE Lamme Medal, one of the highest IEEE

awards, ”for outstanding contributions in developing electrical insulating technology and new insulating materials for HV electric power apparatus and cables”. The medal was established in 1924 by the will of Benjamin Garver Lamme, the engineer who designed the first large hydroelectric ac generators in the USA at Niagara Falls, and the phrase of ”The engineer views hopefully the hitherto unattainable” is inscribed on it.

Since 1967, he contributed greatly in founding and developing the IEEJ (Institute of Electrical Engineers in Japan), especially the Technical Committee on Electrical Insulating Materials. He endeavored to bridge science and technology, universities and industries, and also the Japanese and international communities. He educated and encouraged very many young researchers and engineers.

He suddenly passed away on 3 March 1999 at the age of 73.