The Tech Museum of Innovation Announces the 2006 Tech Museum Awards Laureates

Business Wire, Sept 20, 2006

SAN JOSE, Calif. -- The Tech Museum of Innovation, one of the country's leading science and technology museums, named 25 innovators from around the world to be honored by this year's Tech Museum Awards Program, presented by Applied Materials, Inc., for applying technology to benefit humanity. This esteemed group of Laureates was selected from among 951 entries received representing 98 countries by program partner Santa Clara University's Center for Science, Technology, and Society.

Established in 2001, The Tech Museum Awards, presented by Applied Materials, Inc., recognizes 25 Laureates in five categories -- Environment, Economic Development, Education, Health, and Equality. These 25 Laureates have developed, or are currently developing, innovative ways to use technology in solving global challenges. All 25 Laureates will be showcased at the Tech Museum of Innovation in San Jose, and will be featured on the Tech Museum Award's official website, www.techawards.org. One Laureate in each category will receive a $50,000 cash prize, announced at a November 15 gala dinner to be held at the museum, and hosted by NFL legend and member of the Tech Museum's Board of Directors, Steve Young.

In addition to the 25 Laureates being honored, Bill Gates, co-founder of Microsoft and the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, will be presented with the 2006 James C. Morgan Global Humanitarian Award, sponsored by Applied Materials.

"The Tech Museum Awards, presented by Applied Materials, Inc., are an incredibly important way to call attention to some of the most meaningful innovations in science and technology in the world, and to the often unsung heroes behind them," said Peter Friess, President of The Tech. "The Laureates who we honor serve as great role models to future generations of inventors and engineers, and their work reminds us that innovation can be applied in profound ways to benefit humanity and the world."

This year's Laureates span the globe, from Nigeria, India, Tanzania, and Eritrea, to the California communities of Richmond, Mountain View, San Francisco, and Santa Cruz. In addition, several themes emerged from this year's entries, as multiple projects were submitted to address the issues of water shortages in developing countries; technologies for assisted living; and the environmental and economic challenges facing impoverished African and South American communities.

James Koch, executive director of the Global Social Benefit Incubator at Santa Clara University's Center for Science, Technology, and Society, commented, "Each year's award submissions give us a glimpse at global trends and issues that we might not have had insight into otherwise." Koch further noted that the prevalence of East/West alliances between Europe, North America, and Asia have been replaced with North/South alliances linking developed countries of the Northern Hemisphere and developing nations of the Southern Hemisphere.

Category sponsors of the five Tech Museum Awards, presented by Applied Materials, Inc., are: Intel for the Environment Award; Accenture for the Economic Development Award; Microsoft for the Education Award; Agilent Technologies Foundation for the Health Award; and the Swanson Foundation for the Katherine M. Swanson Equality Award.

Two of the 2006 Laureates are receiving the honor for the second time: America's Second Harvest, The Nation's Food Bank Network of Chicago; and the Center for Development of Disadvantaged People of India.

Awards Laureates can be individuals, private companies, and non-profit organizations. For a complete list of the 2006 Tech Museum Awards Laureates, please visit www.techawards.org.

The Tech Museum Awards, presented by Applied Materials, Inc., represents a collaborative effort among educational institutions and businesses. Silicon Valley leaders supporting The Tech Museum Awards include presenting sponsor Applied Materials and Santa Clara University's Center for Science, Technology, and Society. Award category sponsors include Intel, Accenture, Microsoft, Agilent Technologies Foundation and The Swanson Foundation. Program sponsors include Wells Fargo, Genentech, KPMG, Celerity, Cadence, Santa Clara Valley National Bank, The Skoll Foundation, Hewlett-Packard, NBC11, The San Jose Mercury News, American Airlines and The Fairmont San Jose. For more information about The Tech Museum Awards, visit www.techawards.org

About The Tech Museum of Innovation:

The Tech Museum of Innovation is an interactive technology and science experience. Located in San Jose, California -- the Capital of Silicon Valley -- its mission, as a public-benefit corporation, is to inspire the innovator in everyone. Through hands-on exhibits, educational programs, the annual Tech Challenge student team competition, and the internationally recognized Tech Museum Awards, presented by Applied Materials, Inc., The Tech Museum of Innovation honors the past, celebrates the present, and encourages the development of innovative ideas for a more promising future. For more information about The Tech Museum of Innovation, visit www.thetech.org.