Amano, Akasaki, and Nakamura Awarded Nobel Prize in Physics

Kyma Technologies, Inc., a leading supplier of advanced materials solutions that promote safety and energy efficiency, is pleased to call attention to today's announcement of the winners of the Nobel Prize in Physics for 2014.

The October 7, 2014 announcement by the Royal Swedish Academy of Sciences indicates that they have decided to award the Nobel Prize in Physics for 2014 to Isamu Akasaki of Meijo University (Japan), Hiroshi Amano of Nagoya University (Japan), and Shuji Nakamura of University of California, Santa Barbara (USA) for "the invention of efficient blue light-emitting diodes which has enabled bright and energy-saving white light sources."

History tells us that Professor Amano made the underlying key discovery that enabled p-doping of gallium nitride, the primary missing ingredient for a proper blue LED, while a graduate student under the direction of Professor Akasaki at Nagoya University. Shuji Nakamura leveraged that discovery and rapidly innovated improvements on it while he was working at Nichia Chemical Corporation, where he helped Nichia become a leading force in the solid state lighting revolution.

Kyma president and CEO Keith Evans commented, "We are in awe of the great accomplishments and the continuing pursuit of excellence by Professors Akasaki, Amano, and Nakamura in the field of nitride semiconductor device science and engineering. Their discoveries have created entire new industries and thousands of important jobs that have helped improve energy efficiency and the quality of life throughout the world."

"It is also a pleasure to acknowledge the many contributions of literally thousands of other researchers worldwide in helping gallium nitride technology make a difference in so many lives. Today's prize is about the importance of solid state lighting as a more efficient and reliable source of lighting. I wouldn't be surprised if we see another Nobel Prize in Physics in the next several years go to the leading discoverers of more energy efficient electric power switching technologies, which just might also include gallium nitride as a key component."

About Kyma Technologies

Kyma’s mission is to provide advanced materials solutions that promote safety and energy efficiency. Kyma’s products include a diverse portfolio of crystalline nitride semiconductor materials, crystal growth and fabrication equipment, and power switching electronics. Additionally, the company is developing a novel electromagnetic field sensor technology.

For more information about Kyma Technologies, visit www.kymatech.com, e-mail info@kymatech.com, or call the company directly at 919.789.8880.

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