| Intventor of LEDs Wins Millenium Prize |
| Written by Hank Green | ||
| Saturday, 09 September 2006 | ||
 The Millennium Prize is given out every two years and is, basically, technology's equivalent of the Nobel. Professor
Shuji Nakamura was awarded the 1m euro prize for his invention of
white, blue, and green LEDs as well has his invention of the blue laser
diode. LEDs, if you haven't been paying attention, promise to provide
a low-cost, highly efficient and non-toxic alternative to Edison's light bulb.
Eschewing traditional Japanese modesty, Nakamura said, "I hope the award of this prize will help people to understand that this invention makes it possible to improve quality of life for many millions of people." He refers here to the ability of blue LEDs to sterilize water efficiently and also to solar powered lighting initiatives to which he has pledged to donate part of his award money. As an example of how big a deal LEDs (and Nakamura's works) are, the only other Millennium prize ever was given to Tim Berners-Lee, who invented the Internet.
Comments
(3)
Well deserved.
written by Rob , September 10, 2006
bad 'n good
written by bhavna , February 14, 2007
i mean u& LEDS deon't mixup
 but'll i'll say ok         :-  
Very well deserved
written by Fenix , August 29, 2007
I have been doing some comparisons on different torches, when you put a modern led light next to an old regular bulb torch the difference is amazing. Add battery life into the equation and it's easy to see why they are so special.
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I have been adapting a wind up LED torch for the front light this year. A couple of minutes winding gives me half an hour of light.
One of the best inventions ever.