Dr. Hong obtained his undergraduate degree at the premier University of Taiwan:National Taiwan University. He earned his Ph.D. in Chemistry and Physics from California Institute of Technology in Pasadena.
Dr. Hong then served on the faculties of the University of Michigan, the State University of New York, and Notre Dame University, doing researches in laser photo physics and photochemistry. He moved to Silicon Valley and held various technical positions at IBM research, International Material Research. Dr. Hong was responsible for the development of laser data storage, electron beam resist and microlithography.
Joining Hoya Electronics as Chief Engineer, Dr. Hong was initially involved in building its $40 million semiconductor mask-making facility in Japan, including equipment acquisition, training of technical personnel, process development, and marketing to U.S. customers. He was later responsible for establishing similar facilities in the United States. During that period, Hoya became the world's largest supplier of photo plates. Dr. Hong then moved to Micro Mask Incorporated as Chief scientist. He designed, consulted and supervised the construction of the new facilities, both in Sunnyvale and Azusa. He was also in charge of the strategic planning for new products, such as sever-inch masks and X-ray masks.
Dr. Hong founded Exion Technology, Inc. to supply advanced lithographic products to semiconductor industry. Exion started volume production of pellicles in 1987 and has since become a major supplier to both captive and merchant mask ships throughout the United States such as IBM, Hughes Aircraft, Rockwell International, VLSI, Texas Instruments and Photronics. Exion has successfully marketed its products in European countries such as Germany, England and Switzerland. Exion has patented several proprietary materials in pellicle making and is developing several innovative products for advanced lithography, particularly in DUV lithography with excimer lasers.
In 1995,Dr. Hong founded another company, Picomedia. Inc. to explore the high-density optical storage that was based on his experience on thin film and lithography. He developed SOAP process for multiple layer DVD. He had since obtained numerous patents in related areas and working with various industrial concerns to industrialize the techniques. Recently, Intermag acquired the technology and retained Dr. Hong as President and CEO to further the optical media business.
As of September 2001, Dr. Hong resigned from Intermag to pursue his own personal interests. He is still associated with Picomedia as President and CEO. He remained active in R&D on Soap Technology, however, his interest has been shifted to biotech, and especially in DNA sequencing that can be industrialized by using SOAP technology to manufacture high-density biodiscs and/or biochips.