News
October 07, 2014
Professor Isamu Akasaki and Professor Hiroshi Amano Win Nobel Prize in Physics
Kiyosu,Japan, October 7, 2014: On October 7, 2014, Professor Isamu Akasaki, Professor of Meijo University and Distinguished Professor of Nagoya University, and Professor Hiroshi Amano, Professor of Nagoya University, were awarded the Nobel Prize in Physics. On this momentous occasion, Mr. Tadashi Arashima, President of Toyoda Gosei Co., Ltd., made the following comment:
We extend our heartfelt congratulations to Professor Isamu Akasaki and Professor Hiroshi Amano for their achievement.
Since 1986, we turned again and again to Professor Akasaki for guidance, and in 1991, Toyoda Gosei successfully developed the world’s first gallium nitride (GaN) based blue light emitting diodes (LEDs).[i] His valuable guidance enabled us to commercialize the blue LEDs in 1995.
Since then, the use of LEDs has been expanding rapidly as an environmentally-friendly, next-generation light source with low power consumption and long life. Their recent application includes general lighting.
Professor Akasaki's and Professor Amano’s winning of the Nobel Prize at this time is a recognition of their achievement as pioneers in the research on GaN-based blue LEDs. Toyoda Gosei takes great pride in their achievement and wishes them even greater success in the future.
[i] In 1991, under the direction of Professor Isamu Akasaki and Professor Hiroshi Amano, Toyoda Gosei successfully developed blue LEDs as fourth generation lights following fire lights, electric bulbs, and fluorescent lights. Together with red and green LEDs, which were already available, this gave the world all three primary colors of light to achieve full color displays and white lighting with LEDs. Today, the use of LEDs has expanded to light sources for liquid crystal backlights for computers, other devices and room lighting.
About Toyoda Gosei
Established in 1949 and headquartered in Kiyosu, Aichi Prefecture, Japan, Toyoda Gosei is a leading specialty manufacturer of rubber and plastic automotive parts and LEDs. Today, the Toyoda Gosei group provides a variety of high quality products internationally, with a network of approximately 100 plants and offices in 18 countries and regions. Through its flexible, integrated global supply system and leading-edge technologies for automotive safety, comfort, and environmental protection, Toyoda Gosei aims to be a truly global supplier of choice that delivers the highest levels of satisfaction to customers worldwide.
[1] In 1991, under the direction of Professor Isamu Akasaki, Toyoda Gosei successfully developed blue LEDs as fourth generation lights following fire lights, electric bulbs, and fluorescent lights. Together with red and green LEDs, which were already available, this gave the world all three primary colors of light to achieve full color displays and white lighting with LEDs. Today, the use of LEDs has expanded to light sources for liquid crystal backlights for computers, other devices and room lighting.