A University professor in electrical and computer engineering and physics, Nick Holonyak Jr., is being awarded the nation's highest honor for science and technology, the 2002 National Medal of Technology, the White House announced Wednesday.

Holonyak and his team are being recognized for their contributions to the development and commercialization of light-emitting diode technology (LED). LED technology has applications to digital displays such as forming numbers on digital clocks, consumer electronics such as remote control sensors, automotive lighting, traffic signals, and general illumination.

Director of the University's News Bureau, Jeff Unger, said this prize is a "definite achievement," especially in light of the other major awards the campus has won this year.

Two of Holonyak's former graduate students, M. George Craford and Russell Dupuis, have also been selected as recipients for the 2002 National Medal of Technology.

"The award is a recognition of Professor Holonyak's extraordinary work over many decades," Unger said. "It's especially gratifying that two of his graduate students were also recognized because it shows his influence as a teacher."

President George W. Bush will present the medals at a White House ceremony on Nov. 6 where he will also award National Medals of Science.

Having already received the National Medal of Science in 1990, Holonyak became one of only 13 Americans to receive both awards with Wednesday's honor.

— Leah George-Baskin