Chipmaking expert Xu Zhenpeng leaves OpenAI-funded start-up for Shanghai role

South China Morning PostCenter-RightEN 1 min read 100% complete by Ling XinJanuary 30, 2026 at 03:00 AM

AI Summary

short article 1 min

Chipmaking expert Xu Zhenpeng, formerly leading a team at the OpenAI-funded US start-up Atomic Semi, has returned to China to work full-time at Shanghai Jiao Tong University (SJTU). Atomic Semi, based in California, focuses on developing 3D printing techniques for faster and cheaper chip production. Xu's expertise lies in large-area, micron-precision 3D printing, a technology increasingly vital in electronics manufacturing. He earned his PhD from UCLA in 2023 and previously co-founded a 3D printing company while pursuing his master's degree. His research at UCLA involved printing tiny robots using metamaterials. Xu's move to SJTU, a leading Chinese AI hardware research institution, highlights a trend of Chinese scientists returning to China.

Key Entities & Roles

Key Player Opposition Context

California 40% Nat Friedman 40% Fred Ehrsam 40% University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA) ×250% OpenAI 60% United States ×260% Atomic Semi 70% China ×370% Shanghai Jiao Tong University (SJTU) 80% Xu Zhenpeng ×4100%

Keywords

chipmaking 90% 3d printing 80% semiconductor manufacturing 70% china 70% artificial intelligence 60% shanghai jiao tong university 60% talent migration 50% atomic semi 50% electronics manufacturing 40%