Laureates Search

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Year
2017
Subject
Chemistry
Award
Benjamin Franklin Medal
Affiliation
Kyoto University│ Kyoto, Japan
Citation
With Krzysztof Matyjaszewski, for their seminal contributions to the development of a new polymerization process involving metal catalysts. This powerful process affords unprecedented control of polymer composition and architecture, making possible new materials including improved composites, coatings, dispersants, and biomedical polymers.
Year
2006
Subject
Physics
Award
Benjamin Franklin Medal
Affiliation
Scuola Internazionale Superiore di Studi Avanzati | Trieste, Italy
Citation
With 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.
Year
2016
Subject
Chemistry
Award
Benjamin Franklin Medal
Affiliation
New York University │ New York, New York
Citation
For his conceptualization and demonstration that DNA can be used as a construction material that can spontaneously form sub-microscopic structures of diverse shapes and functions, with potential applications in disease treatment, mechanics, and computation.
Year
2010
Subject
Electrical Engineering
Award
Benjamin Franklin Medal
Affiliation
Darmstadt University of Technology | Darmstadt, Germany
Citation
With James E. West, for the invention and development of the first practical electret microphone, which can inexpensively be made small enough to fit into cellular phones, digital cameras, and other portable devices.
Year
2001
Subject
Chemistry
Award
Benjamin Franklin Medal
Affiliation
The Scripps Research Institute | San Diego, California
Citation
For development of catalytic oxidation chemistry with proper handedness
Year
1999
Subject
Computer and Cognitive Science
Award
Benjamin Franklin Medal
Affiliation
University of Utah | Salt Lake City, Utah
Citation
For pioneering work in the field of fiber optics
Year
2014
Subject
Electrical Engineering
Award
Benjamin Franklin Medal
Affiliation
Sendai, Japan
Citation
With Mark H. Kryder, for the development and realization of the system of Perpendicular Magnetic Recording, which has enabled a dramatic increase in the storage capacity of computer-readable media.
Year
2003
Subject
Earth Science
Award
Benjamin Franklin Medal
Affiliation
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA)
Citation
WIth Norman A. Phillips, for their major contributions to the prediction of weather and climate using numerical methods. Their seminal and pioneering studies led to the first computer models of weather and climate, as well as to an understanding of the general circulation of the atmosphere, including the transports of heat and moisture that determine the Earth's climate. In addition, Smagorinsky played a leading role in establishing the current global observational network for the atmosphere, and Phillips' leadership fostered the development of effective methods for the use of observations in data assimilation systems.
Year
2010
Subject
Mechanical Engineering
Award
Benjamin Franklin Medal
Affiliation
Concentration, Heat & Momentum Limited (CHAM) | London, England
Citation
For his seminal contributions to the computer modeling of fluid flow, creating the practice of computational fluid dynamics (CFD) in industry, and paving the path for the widespread application of CFD to the design of objects from airplanes to heart valves.
Year
2007
Subject
Earth and Environmental Science
Award
Benjamin Franklin Medal
Affiliation
Cornell University | Ithaca, New York
Citation
For the discovery and elucidation of water on Mars through the "robotic geologists" of the Mars Exploration Rovers. Squyres and the MER team produced fundamental insights into the geology and climatology of Mars. These have resulted in major advances in our understanding of the potential for life on other planets and of life's evolution on Earth.
Year
2022
Subject
Physics
Award
Benjamin Franklin Medal
Affiliation
Caltech │ Pasadena, California
Citation
For leading NASA’s Voyager program in its exploration of the environments of Jupiter, Saturn, Uranus, and Neptune and for his vision to continue the mission on a 40-year journey beyond our solar system to transmit back information from interstellar space.
Year
1998
Subject
Physics
Award
Benjamin Franklin Medal
Affiliation
Bell Labs | New Providence, New Jersey
Citation
To Tsui and Stormer for their experimental elucidation of the fractional quantum Hall effect, an extraordinary manifestation of the correlations in two-dimensional electronic systems, and to Laughlin for his creative theoretical formulation of the fractional quantum Hall effect, which identified a completely new quantum state of the highly correlated two-dimensional electron gas in magnetic field.
Year
2010
Subject
Chemistry
Award
Benjamin Franklin Medal
Affiliation
Massachusetts Institute of Technology | Cambridge, Massachusetts
Citation
For uncovering the intricate processes by which cells safely use free radicals, for developing new cancer treatments, and for improving the production of environmentally-friendly biodegradable polymers.
Year
2002
Subject
Computer and Cognitive Science
Award
Benjamin Franklin Medal
Affiliation
Cartmel College at Lancaster University | United Kingdom
Citation
For her fundamental contributions to ethnographic analysis, conversational analysis and Participatory Design techniques for the development of interactive computer systems. Her techniques for system development have created a paradigm change in the way interactive systems are designed.
Year
2012
Subject
Physics
Award
Benjamin Franklin Medal
Affiliation
Max Planck Institute for Astrophysics | Garching, Germany │ Space Research Institute, Russian Academy of Sciences │ Moscow, Russia
Citation
For his monumental contributions to understanding the early universe and the properties of black holes.
Year
2013
Subject
Mechanical Engineering and Materials Science
Award
Benjamin Franklin Medal
Affiliation
Carnegie Mellon University | Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania | Massachusetts Institute of Technology | Cambridge, Massachusetts
Citation
For outstanding contributions to our understanding of the mechanical behavior of materials in applications ranging from large structures down to the atomic level. This research also showed how deformation of biological cells can be linked to human disease.
Year
2014
Subject
Earth and Environmental Science
Award
Benjamin Franklin Medal
Affiliation
Scripps Institution of Oceanography | University of California, San Diego | La Jolla, California
Citation
For the development of observational techniques and theoretical models providing an improved understanding of the behavior of, and variations in intensity of, the Earth's magnetic field through geologic time.
Year
2012
Subject
Earth and Environmental Science
Award
Benjamin Franklin Medal
Affiliation
The Ohio State University | Columbus, Ohio
Citation
With Ellen Mosley-Thompson, for their collective studies of ice cores from around the world which have improved the understanding of Earth's climate history, including the role of the tropics in global climate change.
Year
2003
Subject
Civil Engineering
Award
Benjamin Franklin Medal
Affiliation
Thornton & Tomasetti Group, Inc. | Washington, D.C.
Citation
For his insightful and imaginative use of common structural elements in the design of long span structures and high rise buildings, which includes the world's tallest building; for his leadership role in the investigation of structural failures, coupled with the translation of these failure investigations into lessons for the design of safer structures; and for his tireless work to motivate high school students to pursue careers in structural engineering, architecture and the construction industry.
Year
2008
Subject
Electrical Engineering
Award
Benjamin Franklin Medal
Affiliation
Virginia Polytechnic and State University | Blacksburg, Virginia
Citation
With Arun Phadke, for pioneering contributions to the development and application of microprocessor controllers in electric power systems. These devices make synchronized measurements to monitor and protect components throughout the power grid, playing a key role in diminishing the frequency and impact of blackouts.



Notes:

  • "Franklin" Medals are not the same as "Benjamin Franklin" Medals. The Benjamin Franklin Medal was initiated in 1998 to represent the combined legacies of several historic medals, including the Franklin Medal.
  • The Scott Medal is awarded by the City of Philadelphia. Prior to 1920, the Institute's Committee on Science and the Arts selected the medalists and the Scott Medals were presented on Awards Day at The Franklin Institute.
  • For more information about The Franklin Institute Awards program, contact the Awards Program Director at awards@fi.edu.