Jay Baliga, a North Carolina State University professor who invented a semiconductor chip that has transformed society, seemed born for engineering greatness.
He was presented with the National Medal of Technology and Innovation in October by President Obama after a humble upbringing in a remote Indian village.
WRAL’s Scott Mason recently interviewed Baliga for a “Tar Heel Traveler” report.
Watch the video here.
Baliga was cited for development and commercialization of the Insulated Gate Bipolar Transistor and other power semiconductor devices extensively used in transportation, lighting, medicine, defense and renewable energy generation systems.
Baliga has been at NCSU since 1988 and has been named a distinguished university professor. He invested the insulated gate bipolar transistor during 15 years he spent at the General Electric Research and Development Center in Niskayuna, N.Y., near Schenectady.
He is a member of the National Academy of Engineering and a Fellow of the IEEE.
In all, 12 people were cited by the president for achievement in science, technology and innovation. (Read details here.)
Get the latest news alerts: Follow WRAL Tech Wire at Twitter.
