Professor Shuji Nakamura was awarded the Millennium Technology Prize for his discovery of blue, green and white light-emitting diodes as well as the blue laser diode, the core technology behind the emerging Blue Ray video discs (traditional DVDs are not capable of displaying HDTV format video.) Red LEDs have been around for many years but have never been used as a light source, while white LEDs could provide a sustainable, low-cost alternative to lightbulbs, especially in developing countries. LEDs use less electricity, are more durable and more luminous than traditional lightbulbs.

But screw helping mankind - Phillips wants you to wear your technology like a badge of honor: