Analysis for Science Librarians of the 2014 Nobel Prize in Physics: Invention of Efficient Blue-Light-Emitting Diodes

Abstract

On October 7, 2014, the Royal Swedish Academy of Science announced that the 2014 Nobel Prize for physics was awarded to Professors Isamu Akasaki, Hiroshi Amano of Japan, and Professor Shuji Nakamura of the United States for “the invention of efficient blue-light-emitting diodes, which has enabled bright and energy-saving white light sources.” By inventing blue-light-emitting diodes (LED) using gallium nitride, these three scientists have helped the world light up in a more efficient, more accessible, and environmentally sustainable way. The light-emitting devices are used in traffic lights, mobile devices, household lighting, illumination of bridges and our neighborhoods. The Nobel Prize Committee emphasized that the usefulness of the invention, and its “greatest benefit to mankind” were the reasons for bestowing this honor upon them. Millions of people across the world who still have little or no access to power grids will be able to use solar energy to power LEDs, brightening their lives by bringing precious light to them.

KEYWORDS:

• Hiroshi Amano
• Isamu Akasaki
• LED
• Nobel Prize in Physics 2014
• Shuji Nakamura