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
There are still people in Japan who think money is something evil.
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.
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.
Basically, I like research because research is like to solve the quiz, you know. Always there is a problem, and I have to solve the problem. So I like those patterns. It's almost like research is sort of in a quiz.
I am thankful to Nichia Chemical Corporation and its founder Nobu Ogawa, who gave me the research opportunity to create a blue LED.
My dream was to work for one of the big electronics companies like Sony or Panasonic.
Many researchers have joined the field and applied the LED to many new markets such as mobile phone screens, LED TV, and LED Lighting.
When I started on my research, I never expected I could invent the LED and laser diode.
The promise of energy savings, reduced carbon emissions and affordable lighting was there from the inception. The proliferation of the technology into areas such as displays, automotive, medicine and horticulture was unexpected.
A small company like Nichia should do niche products.
The most important thing I learned at the University of Florida is that a Ph.D. and writing papers is very important in the United States.
It's good to have high-quality competition. It helps drive research forward at a faster pace.
If Japanese companies don't reform drastically and implement English as their daily business language, the economy will only continue to contract.
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.