The Benjamin Franklin Medal
The Benjamin Franklin medal was initiated in 1998 to represent the combined legacies of several historic medals, including the Franklin Medal. The medal is awarded by The Franklin Institute, whose awards are among the oldest and most prestigious comprehensive science awards in the world. Dating back to 1998, 21 Tau Beta Pi members have been named Benjamin Franklin laureates. They are:
| Year | Award Recipient | Description |
|---|---|---|
| 2022 | Sheldon Weinbaum, New York Gamma ’59 |
For foundational contributions to our understanding of heat flow among arteries, veins, and capillaries in the body, increasing our knowledge of cardiovascular disease and leading to life-saving technologies. |
| 2022 | Russell D. Dupuis, Ph.D., Illinios Alpha ’70 |
For pioneering the technology that provides the materials quality and ultra-precision required for many device components central to modern life, including LEDs, transistors, lasers, and high-performance solar cells. |
| 2022 | Paul D. Dapkus, Ph.D., Illinois Alpha ’66 |
For pioneering the technology that provides the materials quality and ultra-precision required for many device components central to modern life, including LEDs, transistors, lasers, and high-performance solar cells. |
| 2020 | C. Daniel Mote Jr., California Alpha ’59 |
For his outstanding contributions, through application of theory, analysis, and inventive experimentation, to the understanding of the dynamics of practical systems such as saws, skis, and conveyor belts, thereby increasing their safety, efficiency, and economy. |
| 2017 | Mildred S. Dresselhaus, South Carolina Gamma ’51 |
For her fundamental contributions to the understanding and exploitation of carbon nanomaterials, such as spheres. |
| 2017 | Nick Holonyak Jr., Illinois Alpha ’50 |
For the development of the first visible (red) laser and LED used in displays and lighting, and the use of various alloys in colored light sources. |
| 2016 | Robert S. Langer Jr., New York Delta ’70 |
Design and implementation of multiple innovative drug delivery systems, and for his founding work in the field of tissue engineering. |
| 2016 | Yale N. Patt, Massachusetts Epsilon ’62 |
Pioneering contributions to the design of modern microprocessors that achieve higher performance by automatically identifying computer instructions that can be performed simultaneously. |
| 2015 | Roger F. Harrington, New York Beta ’48 |
Pioneering an electromagnetic modeling method for accurate simulation, design, and optimization of radio wave antennas and devices, enabling advances in communications, radar imaging, and target recognition. |
| 2014 | Ali H. Nayfeh, California Gamma ’62 |
Development of novel methods to model complex engineering systems in structural dynamics, acoustics, fluid mechanics and electromechanical systems. |
| 2012 | Jerry E. Nelson, California Beta ’65 |
Pioneering contributions to the development of segmented-mirror telescopes. |
| 2010 | Shafrira Goldwasser, Pennsylvania Gamma ’79 |
Fundamental contributions to the theoretical foundation of modern cryptography, which led to techniques that can guarantee access to the Internet. |
| 2009 | Richard J. Robbins, South Carolina Gamma ’56 |
Development of a hard-rock tunnel boring machine and its associated systems. |
| 2009 | Lotfi A. Zadeh, New York Alpha '42 |
Invention and development of the field of fuzzy logic. |
| 2008 | James S. Thorp, New York Delta '59 |
Pioneering contributions to the development and application of microprocessor controllers in electric power systems. |
| 2008 | Arun G . Phadke, Illinois Beta '55 |
Pioneering contributions to the development and application of microprocessor controllers in electric power systems. |
| 2006 | Luna B. Leopold, Wisconsin Alpha '36 |
Advancing understanding of how natural and human activities influence landscapes and floodplain developments. |
| 2006 | Ray W. Clough, Washington Alpha '42 |
Leadership in applying design methods to the field of earthquake engineering with emphasis on seismic performance of dams. |
| 2005 | Andrew J. Viterbi, Massachusetts Beta '57 |
Development of the Viterbi Algorithm, advancing modern space and wireless communication sytems. |
| 2004 | Harry B. Gray, California Beta '57 |
Pioneering work in the field of electron transfer in metalloproteins. |
| 2003 | Charles H. Thornton, New York Xi '61 |
Life-long design of structures and high-rise buildings and work with future architects and engineers through high school programs. |
| 2001 | Bernard Widrow, California Gamma '51 |
Pioneering work in adaptive signal processing, LMS algorithm. |
| 2000 | James R. Powell, Pennsylvania Gamma '67 |
Invention and patent of the superconducting Maglev, magnetic levitation transportation systems. |
| 1999 | Douglas C. Engelbart, Oregon Alpha '48 |
Contributions in computer hardware and software for human-computer interactions. |