Frank E. Talke, Ph.D., is a distinguished mechanical engineering professor and the endowed chair of the Center for Memory and Recording Research (CMRR) at the University of California, San Diego (UCSD). Born in Dresden, Germany, in 1939, Talke earned his Diplom-Ingenieur from the University of Stuttgart in 1965 before completing his M.S. (1966) and Ph.D. (1968) in Mechanical Engineering at UC Berkeley.

Beginning his career at IBM Research & Development in San Jose in 1969, Talke made seminal contributions to tribology and magnetic recording systems. He advanced one of the first drop-on-demand color ink-jet printers and applied laser Doppler vibrometry to study head–disk interface mechanics in hard-disk drives.

In 1986, Talke joined UCSD’s Applied Mechanics and Engineering Science department and helped build CMRR into a world-class research hub. Over his career, he has authored or co-authored more than 350 journal papers, and holds over 11 patents, with more pending. Talke’s research evolved into medical device innovation, including 3D‑printed endoscopes, MEMS-based intraocular pressure sensors, detachable bronchoscopes, and low-cost AR systems for image-guided spinal pain surgery.

Recognized for his contributions, Talke is a Fellow of ASME, IEEE, and STLE, and in 1999 was elected to the U.S. National Academy of Engineering. His accolades include the prestigious ASME Medal (2008), Mayo D. Hersey Award (2010), and the Tribology Gold Medal (2010). He also holds an honorary doctorate from the Technical University of Munich

Frank E. Talke’s research interests span a multidisciplinary intersection of mechanical engineering, materials science, biomedical engineering, and data storage technologies. He is internationally recognized for pioneering work in tribology, particularly as it applies to the head-disk interface in magnetic recording systems. His studies encompass laser Doppler vibrometry, air-bearing design, wear mechanisms, and thin-film lubrication in nanoscopic environments. Talke has significantly advanced the development of inkjet printing technologies and MEMS-based sensors, particularly for biomedical applications. His recent research includes the design of intraocular pressure sensors, detachable endoscopes, and augmented reality (AR)-assisted spinal pain treatment systems. He also explores 3D printing for medical devices and low-cost imaging platforms for point-of-care use. Throughout his career, Talke has bridged academic innovation with industry relevance, ensuring practical applications in both data storage engineering and medical instrumentation. His work continues to influence cutting-edge developments in wearable diagnostics, nanomanufacturing, and smart medical systems.