In Memoriam. Professor Michael Shur

It is with profound sadness that we mourn the passing of Professor Michael Shur, Honorary Doctor of Vilnius University, foreign member of the Lithuanian Academy of Sciences, professor at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute (USA), and a distinguished physicist whose contributions to semiconductor physics and electronics have shaped the field for decades. Professor Shur passed away on 6 June 2026, at the age of 84.

We have lost a world-leading scientist whose expertise spanned complex theoretical calculations, a profound understanding of experimental results, and a rare ability to translate scientific insight into practical applications. We have also lost a mentor, collaborator, and friend to many Lithuanian physicists.

Together with colleagues in Lithuania, Professor Shur published more than 150 joint scientific papers—cited over 3,000 times—along with two monographs and several patents. His work made a significant and lasting contribution to the development of semiconductor physics, photonics, high-power electronics, and terahertz technologies in Lithuania.

In 2016, Professor Shur was awarded an Honorary Doctorate by Vilnius University in recognition of his long-standing collaboration with its researchers and his outstanding contributions to semiconductor physics and optoelectronics.