The two will receive the award in a festive ceremony to be held at the Technion in the spring of 2012
Professor Sir Richard Friend, Cavendish Professor of Physics at the University of Cambridge, and Professor Yehuda Perel, Professor of Computer Science at the University of California, Los Angeles - are the winners of the Technion's prestigious Harvey Award for 2011. They will receive the award at a gala ceremony to be held at the Technion in the spring of 2012.
In the Technion's decision to award the prize to Professor Sir Richard Friend, it was stated that he "among the research pioneers in physics, materials science, and the engineering of semiconductor devices based on organic polymers. His experimental research led to a deep understanding of the electronic and optical processes in conductive polymers and led to the realization of a variety of devices including field-effect transistors, light-emitting diodes, photovoltaic cells, and lasers. While demonstrating scientific and technological leadership, Professor Friend made a decisive contribution to the harnessing of science to create new technology, which is reflected in part in the success of two companies he initiated, Cambridge Display Technology Ltd. and Plastic Logic Ltd. The Harvey Prize in Science and Technology is awarded to Professor Friend in recognition of his far-reaching contributions to the development of a new family of semiconductors and his impact on our lives."
About Professor Yehuda Perel, it was stated in the Technion's decision that he "laid down the theoretical foundations for the presentation of knowledge and conclusions in computer science through impulsive and far-sighted research. The theories concerning inference under conditions of uncertainty, and especially the approach based on Bayesian networks, have influenced a variety of fields including artificial intelligence, statistics, philosophy, health, economics, social sciences, and brain cognitive processes. The Harvey Prize in Science and Technology is awarded to Professor Pearl in recognition of the breakthroughs embodied in his research and their impact on such a wide variety of aspects of our lives."
The Harvey Award was first given in 1972, from the foundation established by Leo M. The late Harvey of Los Angeles, in order to recognize great contributions to the advancement of humanity in the fields of science and technology, human health and the promotion of peace in the Middle East. From its fruits, prizes worth $75,000 are awarded each year to each winner.
Among the winners of the prestigious Harvey Prize are scientists from the USA, Great Britain, Russia, Sweden, France, and Israel, including Nobel Prize winner Mikhail Gorbachev, former leader of the USSR, who was awarded the prize for his activities to reduce regional tensions; Professor Brett Sackman who won the Nobel Prize in Medicine, Professor Pierre Gilles Dan-Gen, who won the Nobel Prize in Physics, Professor Edward Teller for his discoveries in solid state, atomic and nuclear physics and Professor William J. Kopf on the invention of the artificial kidney.
Nominations for the Harvey Prize are received from leading scientists and personalities in Israel and the world. The recipients of the award are selected by the Harvey Award committee through a strict process, at the Technion.
