The Office of Technology Management

Revolutionary Electronics: Nick Holonyak Jr. & John Rogers

Nick Holonyak Jr. Holonyak’s Achievements: Nick Holonyak Jr. is a world-renowned • First visible semiconductor laser (GaAs innovator of semiconductor devices. He was phosphide) the first graduate student of John Bardeen, • First visible spectrum light-emitting two-time recipient of the Nobel Prize in diode (LED) Physics and the co-inventor of the transistor. • First quantum well laser--making Holonyak is one of only 13 Americans to possible such advances as fiber optic have won both the National Medal of Science communication, compact disc players, and new technologies in medical (1990) and the National Medal of Technology diagnostics and surgery. (2002). In 2004, he won the Lemelson-MIT • Introduced impurity-induced layer Prize—the world’s largest single cash prize disordering (IILD) which helped make for invention. He was inducted into the lasers more reliable, eventually leading to their use in DVD players and CD-ROM National Inventors Hall of Fame in 2008. drives. • Created the transistor laser, which has the potential to significantly affect high- speed communication.

John Rogers John Rogers’ research includes fundamental and applied aspects of nano and molecular scale fabrication as well as materials and patterning techniques for unusual electronic and photonic devices, with an emphasis on bio-integrated and bio-inspired systems. He has published more than 300 papers, and is an inventor on over 80 patents and patent applications, more than 50 of which are licensed or in active use by large companies and startups that he has co-founded. His research has been recognized with many awards including, most recently, the Lemelson-MIT Prize and a MacArthur Fellowship from the John D. and Catherine T. MacArthur Foundation (2009.)

In the Press: Start-ups John Rogers’ research has been covered extensively in the popular press, including: • The New York Times Semprius—Semprius develops mc10—mc10 Inc. is developing concentrator photovoltaic modules processes and applications • Discovery Channel for use in solar panels. It has that enable high performance • MIT’s Technology Review also developed a micro-transfer electronics to be placed in printing process that is used in novel environments and form Magazine the manufacture of advanced factors. MC10’s approach • MSNBC semiconductor devices. transforms traditionally rigid, brittle semiconductors into • National Public Radio • Set a world record for flexible, stretchable electronics photovoltaic module efficiency, • Science Magazine while retaining excellent electrical reaching 33.9 percent (active performance. • Scientific American area). • Raised $14.85 million in • The Economist • Raised $40 million in funding over Series B financing, including a 15 months. • US News and World $2.25 million investment from • Opened first production facility in Windham Venture Partners. Report September 2012. • Press coverage included a • Wall Street Journal feature in Scientific American. • Wired Magazine