Shuji Nakamura
Shuji Nakamura
Shuji Nakamurais a Japanese-born American electronic engineer and inventor specializing in the field of semiconductor technology, professor at the Materials Department of the College of Engineering, University of California, Santa Barbara, and is regarded as the inventor of the blue LED, a major breakthrough in lighting technology. Together with Isamu Akasaki and Hiroshi Amano, he is one of the three recipients of the 2014 Nobel Prize for Physics "for the invention of efficient blue light-emitting diodes, which has enabled bright...
NationalityJapanese
ProfessionScientist
Date of Birth22 May 1954
CountryJapan
I hope that energy-efficient LED light bulbs will help reduce energy use and lower the cost of lighting worldwide.
I'm not sure whether I could win a Nobel Prize or not, but the Nobel Committee called me, and, 'You got the Nobel Prize.' So, I was so, so happy, and I was so surprised.
I was so surprised because I'm not too sure whether I could win a Nobel Prize, you know, because basically, physics, it means that usually people was awarded for the invention of the basic theory. But in my case, not a basic theory, in my case just making the device, you know.
For people who currently have to burn fossil fuels to produce meager, polluting light, LED lighting is a game changer.
I have been very fortunate to be supported by many people in my career. I also appreciate my personal friends, business friends, and my family who have been patient and understanding of my long working hours.
It is very satisfying to see that my dream of LED lighting has become a reality.
When I started on my research, I never expected I could invent the LED and laser diode.