Dr. Benjamin Joffe

Biography Dr. Benjamin Joffe is a mechanical engineer with over 35 years of experience in the areas of electromagnetic system design and the development of precision mechanisms. He has been affiliated with at JPL since 1991, and is Cognizant Engineer for the Cassini Engine Gimbal Actuators. In Jan. 1996, Dr. Joffe transferred the Science and technology Development Section, to concentrate on advanced actuation mechanisms. Prior to JPL, he worked for the American Semiconductor Equipment Technologies, where he designed high speed sub-micron precision machinery for semiconductor fabrication and the first large stage Optical Pattern Generator, which uses a two-axis stage supported by air bearings, with 0.1 micron repeatability over 30 inches of travel. From 1967 to 1978, he was Senior Scientist and head of the Magnetic Equipment Department at he Academy of Sciences Institute of Physics, in Riga, Latvia. He performed extensive research on the interaction of electromagnetic and electrical fields for manipulation applications. He also developed closed-loop magneto-hydrodynamic pump systems for applications that include nuclear reactors. He holds a Master's Degree in Mechanical Engineering from the Riga Polytechnic Institute, and a Ph. D. in Machine Design from the Latvian Academy of Sciences. Dr. Joffe is the author of over 50 publications, 24 US Patents and over 200 patents in other countries. He received many awards for his innovative mechanisms and his various unique inventions which includes unique Magnetic pumps.