LED pioneer awarded 2009 Kyoto Prize
An 80 year old electronics expert, whose research culminated in the realisation of blue LEDs, has won an international award honouring 'significant contributions to the scientific betterment of mankind'.
The 2009 Kyoto Prize for Advanced Technology was awarded to Dr Isamu Akasaki (pictured), from Japan, who conducted many years' worth of research on gallium nitride (GaN) and helped pioneer GaN based p-n junctions, once believed to be practically impossible. This achievement was the building block for blue LEDs which Dr Akasaki continues to play a role in researching to this day.
The Kyoto Prize is annually presented by the Inamori Foundation and consists of three categories – Advanced Technology, Basic Sciences and Arts and Philosphy. Diplomas, Kyoto Prize medals and 50million yen were awarded to the winner of each category.
