Frances Sarnat Hugle (August 13, 1927 – May 24, 1968) was an American scientist, engineer, and inventor who contributed to the understanding of semiconductors, integrated circuitry, and the unique electrical principles of microscopic materials.
[1] She also invented techniques, processes, and equipment for practical (high volume) fabrication of microscopic circuitry, integrated circuits, and microprocessors which are still in use today.
In the spring of 1944, just before her graduation, she was selected to represent Hyde Park High in Chicago's Math Contest, in which she took first place.
In 1957, the University of Chicago additionally awarded her a Bachelor of Science degree in chemistry based upon the course work she had completed between 1944 and 1947.
At Hyco Labs, she began the research and development of materials, processes and specialized equipment that would become the foundation of much of her future work.
[16] Amongst these, she has been credited with the invention of tape automated bonding (TAB) (a technology first put into commercial use by General Electric); and Hugle was the first person to patent flex-based packaging.