Three Japanese Blue LED Inventors Awarded Nobel Physics Prize

The 2014 Nobel Physics Nobel Prize was awarded to three Japanese scientists who invented the very first efficient blue LEDs (Light-Emitting Diodes) in the mid-1990s. This was a game-changing breakthrough that made blue LED lighting possible.

The prize worth $1.1 million was awarded to Hiroshi Amano, Islam Akasaki, and Shuji Nakamura “for the invention of highly efficient blue light-emitting diodes which has enabled bright and energy-saving white light sources.”

Reports say that the magical breakthrough “triggered a fundamental transformation of lighting technology.”

Before the Blue LEDs Invention….

Before the 1990 invention, only red and green light-emitting diodes were being used. You would find them in modems, VCRs, TVs, displays, and other electronic devices. Manufacturers were also mainly focused on indicator lights in toys, and for automotive and industrial applications.

At the end of 1990, everything had changed as the blue LEDs were now being used on almost every electronic gadget. Every gadget maker was now keen on installing these lights in their products. Blue light LED products were increasingly becoming popular too.

The Game-Changing Invention

In the 1990s, the three physics geniuses discovered that gallium nitride GaN (an exotic material used in light-emitting diodes since 1990s) had great capability in creating highly efficient and super-bright blue LEDs.

The invention also utilized indium-gallium-nitride (InGaN) quantum which was found to not only improve the efficiency of the LED lamps, but also allowed for tuning of the light frequency.

Years later, blue LEDs have become even more efficient and the fact that all LEDs are based on solid-state electronics, with technological advancements, we expect to see more efficient and brighter lamps in just a few years.

Great Future Improvements Economically

A statement given by the Royal Swedish Academy of Sciences said that LED lamps would improve the life quality of over 1.5 billion people around the world- people who lack good access to electricity grids as thanks to their low power requirements, the lamps can be powered by cheap local solar power.

The statement also pointed out the environmentally friendly properties of blue LEDs which include low energy and material consumption.

William Rhodes also pointed out that the invention created more than 250,000 jobs including a $17.7 billion market. It was without a doubt a huge boost to the economy.

It’s a game-changing invention that has greatly improved the lives of many people around the world and the economy as well. The three geniuses triggered a revolution in the lighting industry and without a doubt, they so deserved the Nobel Physics Prize.