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Baliga named among India’s top thinkers by popular news magazine

Dr. Baliga
Dr. Baliga

Dr. B. Jayant Baliga, Distinguished University Professor of Electrical and Computer Engineering at North Carolina State University and a recent winner of the National Medal of Technology and Innovation, has been named one of India’s top thinkers by India Today magazine.

Baliga, who was born in India, was recognized by the popular Indian newsweekly as one of the 35 top thinkers produced by the country since 1975.The feature was publishedin December in a special 35th anniversary issue of the magazine.

Baliga’s contributions to science and technology include the invention of the Insulated Gate Bipolar Transistor (IGBT), an energy-saving semiconductor switch. The IGBT is extensively used in the consumer, industrial, transportation, lighting, medical and renewable energy sectors of the economy.

IGBT-enabled applications have saved the world’s consumers $15.8 trillion and have reduced carbon dioxide emissions by 78 trillion pounds over the last 20 years. In addition, IGBT-based compact portable defibrillators are estimated to save 100,000 lives annually.

In October, Baliga traveled to the White House to be presented by President Barack Obama with the National Medal of Technology and Innovation, the nation’s highest honor for technological achievement.