Prof Baliga Wins Nation’s Highest Honor For Technology Innovation

North Carolina State University professor Dr. B. Jayant Baliga was awarded the National Medal of Technology and Innovation, the nation’s highest honor for technological achievement.
Professor Jayant Baliga, who is considered a “hero” for revolutionizing power electronics was on the White House honours list for inventing the Insulated Gate Bipolar Trannsistor (IGBT) at General Electric. The IGBT is a device that saves energy and controls power flow in commercial and industrial power systems. It is used in everything electronic, including Japan’s Bullet train, air conditioners, electric cars, lighting systems and many industrial and household appliances.

Baliga’s work has led to enormous reduction of gasoline and electrical energy use, resulting in cost savings and cuts in world-wide carbon dioxide emissions. According to the industry, thanks to Baliga’s work the improved efficiency of IGBT-enabled applications saved US consumers $2.7 trillion, and saved $15.8 trillion for worldwide consumers over the past 20 years.
At the same time, the improved efficiency produced by IGBT-enabled applications has produced a cumulative reduction in carbon dioxide emissions of 35 trillion pounds in the U. S. and 78 trillion pounds worldwide over the last 20 years. In addition, IGBT-based compact portable defibrillators are projected to have saved nearly 100,000 lives in the United States.

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