The was set up by the Technology Academy Finland to recognise innovation. Often dubbed the “technology Nobels”, the prize has been awarded every two years since 2004. The two winners of the 2012 prize are Linus Torvalds, the developer of Linux, and Shinya Yamanaka, who works in embryonic stem cell research. Caroline Morley
The trophy was designed by sculptor Helena Hietanen. It represents the idea of achievement through its mountain-peak shape, but also includes a silicon crystal to indicate the prize’s focus on technology. A cash prize is shared between the winner and other laureates: in 2010, the overall winner took away €800,000.
(Image: Millennium Technology Prize)
Any prize looking at significant contributions to modern technology would have to include the father of the World Wide Web. Tim Berners-Lee was the first winner of the Millennium prize in 2004, for his contributions to the internet.
(Image: Millennium Technology Prize)
In 2006, the Millennium prize honoured the contribution to electronics of Shuji Nakamura, who invented the first blue and white LEDs. Nakamura is still working on improving the design and application of LEDs, transistors and lasers.
(Image: Millennium Technology Prize)
, who works at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, won the 2008 prize for his contributions to biomaterials and controlled drug release. Langer claims nearly 1130 articles and 800 issued and pending patents worldwide, as well as more than 200 major awards.
(Image: Millennium Technology Prize)
In 2010, the winner was the inventor of dye-sensitised solar cells, of the Swiss Federal Institute of Technology in Lausanne. The solar cells use a thin film of titanium dioxide particles coated with dye. Sunlight excites the dye molecules, which then inject electrons into the semiconductor, creating an electrical potential.
(Image: Millennium Technology Prize)
