Asahi Kasei Microdevices (AKM) held a commemorative ceremony in Nobeoka City, Miyazaki Prefecture, Japan, on October 6, 2026. The event celebrated the recognition of the company’s successful 1983 commercialization of thin-film Hall elements as an IEEE Milestone. The IEEE Milestone program recognizes groundbreaking innovations in electrical and electronic engineering that are at least 25 years old and have made significant contributions to society and industry. The commercialization of AKM’s thin-film Hall elements marked a major milestone in the mass production of magnetic sensors, laying the foundation for broader adoption in consumer electronics. The thin-film Hall element is now recognized as the standard for magnetic sensing technology.
The ceremony followed a February 2026 announcement in which the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE) recognized AKM’s achievement as an IEEE Milestone. The event was attended by distinguished guests from government, academia, IEEE, and the Asahi Kasei Group.
AKM’s President Naoyuki Kurita commented, “I would like to express my sincere gratitude to the pioneers, employees, and stakeholders who dedicated themselves to the development, mass production, and long-term maintenance of the quality and reliability of thin-film Hall elements. Receiving this recognition in Nobeoka, where production has continued since commercialization in 1983, is particularly meaningful. Building on the technology and spirit of innovation passed down through generations, we will continue creating new value through sensing technologies and carry this legacy forward.”
Hall elements are electronic components that detect magnetic fields and convert them into electrical signals. As key components of magnetic sensors, they enable non-contact detection of motor rotation, component position, current, and other parameters, making them indispensable in a wide range of electronic and industrial equipment.
In 1983, Asahi Kasei commercialized the HW Series of thin-film Hall elements, which combined thin film indium antimonide (InSb) and ferrite technologies to achieve both high sensitivity and mass producibility. Magnetic sensors incorporating these Hall elements were adopted in a broad range of applications, including video equipment, storage devices, and cooling fans, supporting the miniaturization and performance enhancement of electronic systems.
Based on this core technology, cumulative shipments of Hall sensor products developed by AKM have exceeded 50 billion units worldwide. The technology has evolved for more than four decades and remains deeply rooted in Nobeoka’s manufacturing heritage.
