26.2.2009

THE SELECTION COMMITTEE FOR THE WORLD'S BIGGEST TECHNOLOGY PRIZE HAS BEEN APPOINTED

The Board of the Technology Academy Foundation has appointed four new members to the eight-strong International Selection Committee. The Millennium Technology Prize, worth over one million euro, is awarded at two-year intervals to a technological innovation that significantly enhances quality of life and supports sustainable development.

"When the scientific basis of the technology has been established and the innovation is being put to practical use, it must be adapted to the conditions of sustainable development and social values. The innovations of the three first winners have already made a significant contribution to people's living conditions globally," says Professor Risto Nieminen, Chairman of the International Selection Committee.

The Millennium Technology Prize has been awarded three times, first in 2004 to Tim Berners-Lee, the inventor of the World Wide Web, then in autumn 2006 to Professor Shuji Nakamura, the inventor of new revolutionary light sources, the bright blue, green and white LEDs and blue laser light. The third prize was awarded to Professor Robert Langer for his inventions and work in developing innovative biomaterials for controlled drug release and tissue regeneration. His inventions have been of great importance in the treatment of various serious diseases such as cancer and cardiac disorders. Every year, more than 100 million people benefit from Professor Langer's innovations.

The fourth Millennium Technology Prize will be awarded in June 2010. New candidates may be nominated from 1 March 2009 onwards.

Members of the Selection Committee

The new members of the Selection Committee for the award period 2009-2010 are Professor Eva-Mari Aro from the University of Turku, Professor Bengt Kasemo from Chalmers University of Technology in Sweden, Professor Martti Mäntylä from the Helsinki Institute for Information Technology, and Professor Konrad Osterwalder, a Swiss citizen working at the United Nations University Centre.

The members continuing their term are Academy Professor Risto Nieminen from the Helsinki Technical University, now starting as Chairman, Professor Mikko Hupa from Åbo Akademi University in Turku, Professor V.S. Ramamurthy from Inter-University Accelerator Center, New Delhi, and Professor Henry Yang, Chancellor of the University of California (Santa Barbara).

The objective of the Millennium Technology Prize is to highlight development work and innovations aimed at improving the quality of life and promoting sustainable development. The Prize was established and jointly funded by Finnish organisations, industry and the State. The Prize is the biggest of its kind in the world, worth over one million euro. The Millennium Prize is awarded by the Technology Academy Foundation and presented by the Patron of the Prize, President of the Republic of Finland Ms. Tarja Halonen.

Further information

Ainomaija Haarla, President and CEO
ainomaija.haarla@technologyacademy.fi, Tel. +358 40 716 0703

Biographies of the members of Selection Committee