Alfred Y. Cho
National Medal of Science
Engineering
For his pioneering work in the development of molecular beam epitaxy, which revolutionized thin film growth, making possible atomically accurate structures for electronic and proelecronic devices, and for the study of new quantum phenomena.
National Medal of Technology and Innovation
Electronics
For his contributions to the invention of the molecular beam epitaxy (MBE) technology and the development of the MBE technology into an advanced electronic and photonic devices production tool, with applications to cellular phones, CD players, and high-speed communications.
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Birth
July 10, 1937Age Awarded
56 (Science)68 (Technology)
Country of Birth
ChinaKey Contributions
System That Simplifies The Creation Of CD PlayersWifi Semiconductors
Photovoltaic Cells
Awarded by
Bill Clinton (Science)George W. Bush (Technology)
Education
University of IllinoisAreas of Impact
Communication & InformationAffiliations
Alcatel-Lucent Bell LabsOther Prizes
National Inventors Hall of FameMolecular beam epitaxy, or MBE, is the process of growing high-purity crystals one atomic layer at a time. This allows engineers to create highly precise materials for a number of advanced electronics. If you have used a microwave oven, watched a DVD, listened to a CD, made a call on your cell phone, or you are reading these words on a computer, you have taken advantage of molecular beam epitaxy. And, for that, you have Alfred Y. Cho to thank.
If not for a warning from his mother, Cho nearly studied art instead of becoming a pioneer in engineering. “If you major in art, you’ll be very hungry,” she said, urging him to study medicine. Queasy around blood, Cho then looked to his siblings for inspiration. His older brother had decided to study mechanical engineering, Cho later recalled, and his older sister had picked architecture. “‘What’s left? What can I pick?’” Cho said he asked himself. “So that’s how I ended up with my field of electric engineering.”
By Jake New