Alfons Harpaintner, born 1952  made his diplom in  physics at the University of Regensburg, working on solid state physics with main focus on thin film technologie, crystallography  and laser physics. After a short period at AEG Telefunken in the research  of GaAs film technology he changed to research and development of passive components to Roederstein. The development of resistor films, resistor ceramics and chip resistor technology was his main work before he got 1982 head of  R&D  of ceramic capacitors and varistors. He created many important capacitor series from RFI components to high voltage capacitors at Roederstein and later Vishay which still have important market shares worldwide.    

He is now working as consultant at Würth Elektronik eiSos Group.