Awards Multimedia
Audo programs, videos and more
Official 2009 Laureate Videos
- Sandra M. Faber
Bower Award and Prize for Achievement in Science - T. Boone Pickens
Bower Award for Business Leadership - George M. Whitesides
Benjamin Franklin Medal in Chemistry - Ruzena Bajcsy
Benjamin Franklin Medal in Computer and Cognitive Science - J. Frederick Grassle
Benjamin Franklin Medal in Earth and Environmental Science - Lotfi A. Zadeh
Benjamin Franklin Medal in Electrical Engineering - Richard J. Robbins
Benjamin Franklin Medal in Engineering - Stephen J. Benkovic
Benjamin Franklin Medal in Life Science - 2009 Laureate Video credits
Official 2008 Laureate Videos
- Takeo Kanade
Bower Award and Prize for Achievement in Science - Frederick Smith
Bower Award for Business Leadership - Albert Eschenmoser
Benjamin Franklin Medal in Chemistry - Judea Pearl
Benjamin Franklin Medal in Computer and Cognitive Science - Wallace Broecker
Benjamin Franklin Medal in Earth and Environmental Science - Arun Phadke
Benjamin Franklin Medal in Electrical Engineering - Victor Ambros, Gary Ruvkun, David Baulcombe
Benjamin Franklin Medal in Life Science - Deborah Jin
Benjamin Franklin Medal in Physics - 2008 Laureate Video credits
Official 2007 Laureate Videos
- Stuart K. Card, Ph.D. Video (25.5 megabytes)
The 2007 Bower Award and Prize for Achievement in Science is presented to Stuart Card for fundamental contributions to the fields of human-computer interaction and information visualization.
- Norman R. Augustine Video (25.4 megabytes)
The Bower Award for Business Leadership is presented to Norman Augustine, retired Chairman and CEO of Lockheed Martin Corporation, for his leadership of Lockheed Martin and his extensive public service focused on U.S. science and technical leadership, and the implications this leadership has for U.S. economic competitiveness driven by research, innovation, and improved science and math education.
- Klaus Biemann, Ph.D. Video (22.5 megabytes)
The 2007 Benjamin Franklin Medal in Chemistry is presented to Klaus Biemann for his pioneering achievements in developing the chemical analysis tool of mass spectrometry and using it to determine the structure of complex molecules of biological and medical interest.
- Steven Squyres, Ph.D., Video (26.7 megabytes)
The 2007 Benjamin Franklin Medal in Earth and Environmental Science is presented to Steven Squyres for the discovery and elucidation of water on Mars through the "robotic geologists" of the Mars Exploration Rovers.
- Robert H. Dennard, Ph.D. Video (23.2 megabytes)
The 2007 Benjamin Franklin Medal in Electrical Engineering is presented to Robert Dennard for inventing computer memory circuits called DRAMs that are small, inexpensive, and fast enough to permit powerful, affordable personal computers, and for contributing to the development of the mathematical formula used in shrinking circuits to allow more speed and complexity.
- Nancy S. Wexler, Ph.D. Video (26.0 megabytes)
The 2007 Benjamin Franklin Medal in Life Science is presented to Nancy Wexler for her vital role in the discovery of the gene responsible for Huntington's Disease. By leading combined efforts in human molecular genetics and neurosciences, Dr. Wexler established a model now used to investigate the genetic basis of inherited diseases.
- Merton C. Flemings, Sc.D. Video (21.9 megabytes)
The 2007 Benjamin Franklin Medal in Materials Engineering is presented to Merton Flemings for outstanding contributions to understanding the fundamental and technological aspects of the solidification of metallic alloys, including research leading to the development of a new industry known as semi-solid metalworking.
- Yoji Totsuka, Ph.D./Arthur B. McDonald, Ph.D., Video (22.8 megabytes)
The 2007 Benjamin Franklin Medal in Physics is presented to Yoji Totsuka and Arthur McDonald for discovering that the three known types of elementary particles called neutrinos change into one another when traveling over sufficiently long distances, and that neutrinos have mass.
Official 2006 Laureate Videos
- Narain G. Hingorani, Ph.D., Video (19.3 megabytes)
The 2006 Bower Award and Prize for Achievement in Science is presented to Narain Hingorani for the conceptualization and pioneering advancement of the Flexible AC Transmission System (FACTS) and Custom Power in electric power systems, and for outstanding technical contributions in High Voltage Direct Current Technology, which have enhanced the quality and security of the electric power system.
- R.E. (Ted) Turner Video (17.4 megabytes)
The 2006 Bower Award for Business Leadership is presented to R. E. Turner for his visionary leadership in the worlds of business and media, as well as his philanthropic commitment to the health of our planet and the well being of its people.
- Samuel J. Danishefsky, Ph.D., Video (16.1 megabytes)
The 2006 Benjamin Franklin Medal in Chemistry is awarded to Samuel Danishefsky for his achievements in synthetic organic chemistry, particularly for the development of methods for preparing complex substances found in nature, and their emerging applications in the field of cancer treatment.
- Luna B. Leopold, Ph.D/M. Gordon Wolman, Ph.D., Video (18.9 megabytes)
Luna Leopold and M. Gordon Wolman collectively spent a lifetime studying rivers and streams and learning how they change over time and influence the earth's landscape.
- Donald A. Norman, Ph.D., Video (16.9 megabytes)
The 2006 Benjamin Franklin Medal in Computer & Cognitive Science is awarded to Donald Norman for the development of the field of user-centered design, which utilizes our understanding of how people think to develop technologies designed to be easily usable.
- Ray W. Clough, Sc.D., Video (16.5 megabytes)
The 2006 Benjamin Franklin Medal in Civil Engineering is awarded to Ray Clough for revolutionizing engineering and scientific computation and engineering design methods through his formulation and development of the finite element method, and for his innovative leadership in applying the method to the field of earthquake engineering with special emphasis on the seismic performance of dams.
- Fernando Nottebohm Ph.D., Video (16.4 megabytes)
The 2006 Benjamin Franklin Medal in Life Science is awarded to Fernando Nottebohm for his discovery of neuronal replacement in the adult vertebrate brain, and the elaboration of the mechanism and choreography of this phenomenon; and also for showing that neuronal stem cells are the responsible agents, thereby generating a completely new approach to the quest for cures for brain injury and degenerative disease.
- Giacinto Scoles, FRS/J. Peter Toennies, Ph.D,. Video (16.8 megabytes)
The 2006 Benjamin Franklin Medal in Physics is awarded to Giacinto Scoles and J. Peter Toennies for the development of new techniques for studying molecules, including unstable species that could not be examined otherwise, by embedding them in extremely small and ultra-cold droplets of helium. Their work also led to a better understanding of the extraordinary properties of superfluid helium, such as its ability to flow without friction.
2007 Awards Week Symposia Videos
- Public Lecture by Dr. Nancy Wexler Lecture
2 parts: Part 1 (56:17, mp4, 79 MB) | Part 2 (30:17, mp4, 41 MB)
Nancy Wexler of Columbia University received the 2007 Benjamin Franklin Medal in Life Science for her pioneering contributions to the study of Huntington's disease. Her vision and leadership brought together efforts in the areas of human molecular genetics and neurosciences, and culminated in the identification of the Huntington's disease gene. The molecular characterization of this gene has brought us one step closer to a treatment. Dr. Wexler's leadership of this effort has established a model now used to investigate the genetic basis of other inherited diseases including ALS, familial Alzheimer's, and kidney cancer.
- Meet the Scientists
2 parts: Part 1 (47:41, mp4, 79 MB) | Part 2 (32:13, mp4, 41 MB)A question-and-answer program for invited middle and high school students. This lively and interesting discussion presents a unique opportunity for students to interact with some of the world's most important and accomplished scientists.
Audio Programs
- Scientific American (4/25/07, 24:18, mp3, 11 MB)
Scientific American editor-in-chief John Rennie discusses peer review of scientific literature, the subject of a panel he recently served on at the World Conference of Science Journalists. He also talks about some out-of-the-box thinking about burial rites. And, physicist Bo Hammer talks about The Franklin Institute Awards presented in Philadelphia. The Franklin Institute portion of the interview starts at about half-way through the podcast.
- Philadelphia Bar Association (3/29/07, 27:35, mp3, 13 MB)
Bo Hammer, vice president of The Franklin Institute, on The Franklin Institute Awards, the nature of physics and the King Tut exhibit at The Franklin Institute.