The National Medal of Technology and Innovation (NMTI) is the nation’s highest honor for technological achievement, bestowed by the president of the United States on America's leading innovators. There were 9 laureates in the 2002 class.
Calvin H. Carter
Director of Materials Technology, Cree, Inc.
For his exceptional contributions to the development of silicon carbide wafers, leading to new industries in wide bandgap semiconductors and enabling other new industries in efficient blue, green, and white light, full-color displays, high-power solid-state microwave amplifiers, more efficient/compact power supplies, higher efficiency power distribution/transmission systems, and gemstones.
Haren S. Gandhi
Ford Technical Fellow, Ford Motor Company
For his research, development, and commercialization of automotive exhaust catalyst technology, shaping the industry from its very beginning and continually pushing to improve the quality of the air we breathe. Also for leading the automotive industry in ensuring the judicious use of precious metals, including conservation measures such as recycling of spent converters and technological advances in precious metal utilization.
Carver A. Mead
Polaris Venture Partners
For his pioneering contributions to microelectronics that include spearheading the development of tools and techniques for modern integrated-circuit design, laying the foundation for fabless semiconductor companies, catalyzing the electronic-design automation field, training generations of engineers that have made the United States the world leader in microelectronics technology, and founding more than twenty companies.
John J. Mooney and Carl D. Keith
Engelhard Corporation
For the invention, application to automobiles, and commercialization of the three-way catalytic converter. Through their persistent efforts, this technology is the key emission-control component in all new light-duty vehicles in the United States and throughout the world.
Nick Holonyak, Jr., M. George Craford, and Russell Dean Dupuis
For contributions to the development and commercialization of light-emitting diode (LED) technology, with applications to digital displays, consumer electronics, automotive lighting, traffic signals, and general illumination.
