In 2002, the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE) added a new

award An award, sometimes called a distinction, is something given to a recipient as a token of recognition of excellence in a certain field. When the token is a medal, ribbon or other item designed for wearing, it is known as a decoration. An awar ...

to its already existing program of awards. Each year, one or more nominees are honored with a medal in the name of

Jun-ichi Nishizawa was a Japanese engineer and inventor. He is known for his electronic inventions since the 1950s, including the PIN diode, static induction transistor, static induction thyristor, SIT/SITh. His inventions contributed to the development of ...

, considered to be the ''father of Japanese microelectronics''. Nishizawa was professor, director of two research institutes and the 17th president at

Tohoku University , or is a Japanese national university located in Sendai, Miyagi in the Tōhoku Region, Japan. It is informally referred to as . Established in 1907, it was the third Imperial University in Japan and among the first three Designated National ...

, Sendai, Japan, and contributed important innovations in the fields of

optical communications Optical communication, also known as optical telecommunication, is communication at a distance using light to carry information. It can be performed visually or by using electronic devices. The earliest basic forms of optical communication date ...

and

semiconductor A semiconductor is a material which has an electrical conductivity value falling between that of a conductor, such as copper, and an insulator, such as glass. Its resistivity falls as its temperature rises; metals behave in the opposite way. ...

devices, such as laser and PIN diodes and static induction thyristors for electric power applications. This medal is awarded by the IEEE on a yearly basis to nominees in the fields of materials science and device technologies. Sponsor of this award is the Federation of Electric Power Companies, Japan.

Recipients

The following have won the award:

References

External links

IEEE Jun-ichi Nishizawa Medal
Awards established in 2002 Jun-ichi Nishizawa Medal 2002 establishments in the United States {{engineering-stub