The University of Milano-Bicocca has today awarded an honorary degree in Science and Nanotechnology for Sustainability to Professor Hiroshi Amano, a world-renowned scientist and Nobel Laureate in Physics (2014) for the invention of blue light-emitting diodes (LEDs).
The ceremony took place in the University’s main lecture hall in the presence of academic authorities, members of the scientific community, and a large number of students.
In line with its commitment to promoting sustainability and technological innovation, the University of Milano-Bicocca recognised the scientific and social value of Professor Amano’s research. He is currently Director of the Center for Integrated Research of Future Electronics and a professor at the Institute of Materials and Systems for Sustainability at Nagoya University. There, he is developing new technologies for the production of high-efficiency semiconductors and innovative devices for energy saving, with the aim of facilitating the transition towards a more sustainable economy.
“Professor Amano’s studies have changed the lives of millions, providing more efficient and accessible lighting and reducing the environmental impact of energy consumption. His research is an outstanding example of how science can make a concrete contribution to a more sustainable future,” said Marco Orlandi, Deputy Rector and Vice-Rector for Research at the University.
Professor Amano delivered a lectio magistralis titled “The Role of New Semiconductor Materials in Achieving a Smart and Carbon-Free Society”, highlighting the potential of emerging technologies in achieving energy sustainability.
“Replacing silicon-based devices with those made of wide bandgap semiconductors such as gallium nitride (GaN) could reduce global electricity consumption by 25%. These materials are essential for the development of power grids based on renewable energy and for the communication technologies of the future,” Amano explained. Wide bandgap (WBG) semiconductors, such as gallium nitride (GaN) and aluminium nitride (AlN), represent a new frontier in the field of electronic device research. These materials offer superior performance compared to silicon, enabling the development of more efficient, faster, and heat-resistant components. In particular, GaN is fundamental for the creation of high-efficiency LEDs, power transistors, and advanced telecommunications devices.
The invention of blue LEDs, developed in the early 1990s by Hiroshi Amano together with Isamu Akasaki and Shuji Nakamura, with whom he shared the 2014 Nobel Prize, marked a turning point in the field of lighting.
Red and green LEDs had existed for some time, but without a blue light source, it was impossible to generate white light by combining all three primary colours. Thanks to their pioneering studies on GaN-based semiconductors, Amano and his colleagues overcame the technical challenges that had previously prevented the development of efficient blue LEDs.
Their breakthrough enabled the production of today’s white light LED bulbs, known for their high energy efficiency and significantly longer lifespan compared to traditional incandescent and fluorescent lighting. It also paved the way for the development of LED displays used in televisions, computers, and mobile devices. This technology has had a global impact, contributing to reduced energy consumption and improved environmental sustainability.
Photos from the ceremony are available here (currently being updated).