Monday, September 11, 2006

UCSB Prof Awarded $1M EU Prize For LED Lighting Technology

The Republic of Finland has awarded UC Santa Barbara professor Shuji Nakamura with $1M Euros for its invention of blue LEDs, saying that his contributions may halve the amount of electricity consumed for lighting. Nakamura was awarded the 2006 Millenium Prizein June, and was presented the prize by Republic of Finland President Tarja Halonen at a ceremony Friday. The 2006 Millenium Prize is awarded every second year to an innovator who has developed new technology that significantly improves the quality of human life and promotes sustainable development.

---