The Nobel Prize is awarded each year to trailblazers in cultural and scientific fields. Since its creation in 1946, ONR has supported the early-career research of more than 80 Nobel laureates.
Nobel Laureates
David Baker (Chemistry, 2024)
For computational protein design.
John J. Hopfield (Physics, 2024)
For the foundational discoveries and inventions that enable machine learning with artificial neural networks.
Carolyn Bertuzzi (Chemistry, 2022)
For the development of click chemistry and bioorthogonal chemistry.
John F. Clauser (Physics, 2022)
For experiments with entangled photons, establishing the violation of Bell inequalities and pioneering quantum information science.
Klaus Hasselmann (Physics, 2021)
For the physical modeling of Earth's climate, quantifying variability and reliably predicting global warming.
Guido W. Imbens (Economics, 2021)
For methodological contributions to the analysis of causal relationships.
David W.C. MacMillan (Chemistry, 2021)
For the development of asymmetric organocatalysts.
Robert Wilson and Paul Milgrom (Economics, 2020)
For improvements to auction theory and inventions of new auction formats.
John B. Goodenough (Chemistry, 2019)
For the development of lithium-ion batteries.
Frances Arnold (Chemistry, 2018)
For the directed evolution of enzymes.
J. Fraser Stoddart and Bernard L. Feringa (Chemistry, 2016)
For the design and synthesis of molecular machines.
Hiroshi Amano, Shuji Nakamura, and Isamu Akasaki (Physics, 2014)
For the invention of efficient blue light-emitting diodes which has enabled bright and energy-saving white lights sources.
W.E. Moerner (Chemistry, 2014)
For the development of super-resolved fluorescence microscopy.
John O’Keefe (Medicine, 2014)
For the discovery of cells that constitute a positioning system in the brain.
Martin Karplus, Michael Levitt, [and Arieh Warshel] (Chemistry, 2013)
For the development of multi-scale models for complex chemical systems. (More Warshel)
David Wineland (Physics, 2012)
For ground-breaking experimental methods that enable measuring and manipulation of individual quantum systems.
Andre Geim and Konstantin Novoselov (Physics, 2010)
For groundbreaking experiments regarding the two-dimensional material graphene. (More Geim, Novoselov)
Roger Y. Tsien (Chemistry, 2008)
For the discovery and development of the green fluorescent protein, GFP.
John L. Hall (Physics, 2005)
For contributions to the development of laser-based precision spectroscopy, including the so-called optical frequency comb technique.
General applications: Precise measurements; determination of the quantum structure of matter with ever-increasing accuracy, and the ability to further test fundamental theories.
Naval application: Precision timekeeping and measurements.
Theodor W. Hansch (Physics, 2005)
For contributions to the development of laser-based precision spectroscopy, including the so-called optical frequency comb technique.
General applications: Precise measurements; determination of the quantum structure of matter with ever-increasing accuracy, and the ability to further test fundamental theories.
Naval application: Precision timekeeping and measurements.
Robert H. Grubbs (Chemistry, 2005)
For development of the metathesis method in organic synthesis.
General applications: The development of new drugs and other biologically active compounds, polymeric materials and industrial syntheses
Naval application: Improved medical treatments, new drugs, and new ìgreenerî materials.
Richard R. Schrock (Chemistry, 2005)
For development of the metathesis method in organic synthesis.
General applications: The development of new drugs and other biologically active compounds, polymeric materials and industrial syntheses
Naval application: Improved medical treatments, new drugs, and new ìgreenerî materials.
Paul Lauterbur (Medicine, 2003)
For his discoveries concerning "magnetic resonance imaging"
General applications: Medicine
Naval application: Naval medicine
John Fenn (Chemistry, 2002)
For the development of methods for identification and structure analyses of biological macromolecules.
General applications: Proteomics, pharmaceuticals & medicine
Naval application: Chemical sensor technology
Daniel Kahneman (Economics, 2002)
For having integrated insights from psychological research into economic science, especially concerning human judgment and decision-making under uncertainty.
General applications: Gaining greater understanding of how people make quick decisions when information is sparse.
Naval application: Helping to understand how decisions get made in tense military situations under pressure.
Wolfgang Ketterle (Physics, 2001)
For the achievement of Bose-Einstein condensation in dilute gases of alkali atoms, and for early fundamental studies of the properties of the condensates.
General applications: Timekeeping; High bandwidth communications; Atom lasers
Naval application: Precision timekeeping; Highly precise geolocation; High bandwidth secure communication
Carl Wieman (Physics, 2001)
For the achievement of Bose-Einstein condensation in dilute gases of alkali atoms, and for early fundamental studies of the properties of the condensates.
General applications: Timekeeping; High bandwidth communications; Atom lasers
Naval application: Precision timekeeping; Highly precise geolocation; High bandwidth secure communication
Eric Cornell (Physics, 2001)
For the achievement of Bose-Einstein condensation in dilute gases of alkali atoms, and for early fundamental studies of the properties of the condensates.
General applications: Timekeeping; High bandwidth communications; Atom lasers
Naval application: Precision timekeeping; Highly precise geolocation; High bandwidth secure communication
Eric Kandel (Medicine, 2000)
For discoveries concerning signal transduction in the nervous system.
General applications: Neurology
Naval application: Biomimetics; Signal processing; Human-machine interface
Hideki Shirakawa (Chemistry, 2000)
For the discovery and development of conductive polymers
General applications: Display technologies; Molecular electronics
Naval application: Mulitfunctional electronics for intelligent Naval sensors?; Decision support systems; Nanoelectronics
Alan G. MacDiarmid (Chemistry, 2000)
For the discovery and development of conductive polymers
General applications: Display technologies; Molecular electronics
Naval application: Mulitfunctional electronics for intelligent Naval sensors?; Decision support systems; Nanoelectronics
Alan J. Heeger (Chemistry, 2000)
For the discovery and development of conductive polymers
General applications: Display technologies; Molecular electronics
Naval application: Mulitfunctional electronics for intelligent Naval sensors?; Decision support systems; Nanoelectronics
Herbert Kromer (Physics, 2000)
For developing semiconductor heterostructures in high-speed- and opto-electronics.
General applications: Electronics; Photonics
Naval application: Advanced sensors?; Advanced autonomous systems?; Information storage and retrieval; Information transmission
Ahmed Zewail (Chemistry, 1999)
For his studies of the transition states of chemical reactions using femtosecond spectroscopy.
General applications: Physical chemistry; Material science
Naval application: Materials by design
Daniel C. Tsui (Physics, 1998)
For discovery of a new form of quantum fluid with fractionally charged excitations.
General applications: Particle physics
Naval application: Quantum computing
Walter Kohn (Chemistry, 1998)
For development of the density-functional theory
General applications: Quantum chemistry; Chemcial engineering
Naval application: Chemical engineering
Horst L. Störmer (Physics, 1998)
For discovery of a new form of quantum fluid with fractionally charged excitations.
General applications: Particle physics
Naval application: Quantum computing
William D. Phillips (Physics, 1997)
For development of methods to cool and trap atoms with laser light.
General applications: Particle physics; Nanotechnology; Precision timekeeping
Naval application: Precision timekeeping; Navigation
Richard E. Smalley (Chemistry, 1996)
For discovery of carbon atoms bound in the form of a ball.
General applications: Material science
Naval application: Material science
George Olah (Chemistry, 1994)
For his contribution to carbocation chemistry.
General applications: Chemical engineering; Organic chemistry; Fuel production
Naval application: Chemical engineering; Organic chemistry; Fuel production
John F. Nash Jr. (Economics, 1994)
For pioneering analysis of equilibria in the theory of non-cooperative games.
General applications: Modeling economic behavior, resource allocation and networking, behavior in biological/ecological systems, and artificial intelligence.
Naval application: Providing a greater understanding of and improving strategic and tactical military decision-making.
Rudolph A. Marcus (Chemistry, 1992)
For contributions to the theory of electron transfer reactions in chemical systems.
General applications: Chemical engineering; Chemiluminescence; Fuel production; Polymer science
Naval application: Material science; Corrosion resistance
Norman F. Ramsey (Physics, 1989)
For contributions of importance for the development of atomic precision spectroscopy
General applications: Quantum physics; Communications; Navigation; Nanotechnology
Naval application: Space communications; Navigation; Precision timekeeping
Hans Dehmelt (Physics, 1989)
For contributions of importance for the development of atomic precision spectroscopy
General applications: Quantum physics; Communications; Navigation; Nanotechnology
Naval application: Space communications; Navigation; Precision timekeeping
John C. Polanyi (Chemistry, 1986)
For contributions concerning the dynamics of chemical elementary processes.
General applications: Chemical engineering; Mechanical engineering
Naval application: Chemical engineering, Mechanical engineering
Yuan T. Lee (Chemistry, 1986)
For contributions concerning the dynamics of chemical elementary processes.
General applications: Chemical engineering; Mechanical engineering
Naval application: Chemical engineering, Mechanical engineering
Dudley Herschbach (Chemistry, 1986)
For contributions concerning the dynamics of chemical elementary processes.
General applications: Chemical engineering; Mechanical engineering
Naval application: Chemical engineering, Mechanical engineering
Herbert A. Hauptman (Chemistry, 1985)
For outstanding achievements in the development of direct methods for the determination of crystal structures.
General applications: Biochemistry; Chemical engineering
Naval application: Biochemistry; Chemical engineering
Jerome Karle (Chemistry, 1985)
For outstanding achievements in the development of direct methods for the determination of crystal structures.
General applications: Biochemistry; Chemical engineering
Naval application: Biochemistry; Chemical engineering
Gerard Debreu (Economics, 1983)
For having incorporated new analytical methods into economic theory and for his rigorous reformulation of the theory of general equilibrium.
General applications: Helping to better understand how supply and demand relate to each other in a market economy or other uncontrolled system.
Naval application: How to improve strategic and tactical military decision-making and operations.
William A. Fowler (Physics, 1983)
For theoretical and experimental studies of nuclear reactions of importance in the formation of the chemical elements in the universe.
General applications: Cosmology; Nuclear chemistry
Naval application: Nuclear chemistry
Kenneth Wilson (Physics, 1982)
For his theory of critical phenomena in connection with phase transitions.
General applications: Oceanic and atmospheric science; Particle physics
Naval application: Oceanic and atmospheric science; Hydrodynamics
David H Hubel (Medicine, 1981)
For discoveries concerning the "visual system"
General applications: Sensory physiology; Developmental physiology
Naval application: Human factors engineering
Roald Hoffman (Chemistry, 1981)
For his theory concerning the course of chemical reactions
General applications: Biochemistry; Pharmacology; Chemical engineering
Naval application: Biochemistry; Chemical engineering; Naval medicine
Nicolas Bloembergen (Physics, 1981)
For his contributions to the development of laser spectroscopy.
General applications: Spectroscopy; Atomic physics
Naval application: Spectroscopy; Highly accurate timekeeping
Arthur Schawlow (Physics, 1981)
For his contributions to the development of laser spectroscopy.
General applications: Spectroscopy; Atomic physics
Naval application: Spectroscopy; Highly accurate timekeeping
Herbert C. Brown (Chemistry, 1979)
For his development of the use of boron-containing compounds into important reagents in the organic synthesis.
General applications: Organic chemistry and biochemistry; Chemical engineering
Naval application: Chemical engineering
Herbert Simon (Economics, 1978)
For his pioneering research into the decision-making process within economic organizations.
General applications: Management theory and technique; Organization sociology; Cybernetics
Naval application: Management practices; Organizational behavior; Cybernetics
Peter Mitchell (Chemistry, 1978)
For his contribution to the understanding of biological energy transfer through the formulation of the chemiosmotic theory.
General applications: Chemical engineering; Cell biology; Molecular biology
Naval application: Chemical engineering; Naval medicine; Material science
William Lipscomb (Chemistry, 1976)
For his studies on the structure of boranes illuminating problems of chemical bonding.
General applications: Chemical engineering
Naval application: Chemical engineering
Paul J. Flory (Chemistry, 1974)
For fundamental achievements, both theoretical and experimental, in the physical chemistry of macromolecules.
General applications: Polymer chemistry; Molecular biology
Naval application: Advanced composite materials
Christian Anfinsen (Chemistry, 1972)
For work on ribonuclease, especially concerning the connection between the amino acid sequence and the biologically active conformation.
General applications: Virology; Biotechnology
Naval application: Naval medicine; DNA computers?
Robert Schrieffer (Physics, 1972)
For a theory of superconductivity
General applications: Transportation; Electrical engineering; Computer science
Naval application: Electrical engineering; Computer science
Leon Cooper (Physics, 1972)
For a theory of superconductivity
General applications: Transportation; Electrical engineering; Computer science
Naval application: Electrical engineering; Computer science
Gerald Edelman (Medicine, 1972)
For discoveries concerning the chemical structure of antibodies
General applications: Immunology; Biotechnology
Naval application: Naval medicine
Kenneth Arrow (Economics, 1972)
For contributions to general economic equilibrium theory and welfare theory.
General applications: Public policy; Management theory
Naval application: Management techniques
Har Gobind Khorana (Medicine, 1968)
For devising methods for the synthesis of well-defined nucleic acids.
General applications: Virology; Biotechnology
Naval application: Naval medicine
George Wald (Medicine, 1967)
For identifying visual pigments and their chemical precursors, and for discovering the primary molecular reaction to light in the eye.
General applications: Sensory physiology
Naval application: Human factors engineering; Biomimetics; Vision protection
Haldan Hartline (Medicine, 1967)
For explaining impulse coding in the visual receptors and contributions to the understanding of how sensory neuronal networks process data.
General applications: Sensory physiology
Naval application: Human factors engineering
Hans Bethe (Physics, 1967)
For his contributions to the theory of nuclear reactions, especially his discoveries concerning the energy production in stars.
General applications: Nuclear chemistry
Naval application: Nuclear engineering
Charles H. Townes (Physics, 1964)
For the invention of the maser and the laser.
General applications: Communications, surgery, data storage and retrieval, etc.
Naval application: Communications; Targeting; Sensor applications; Distance measuring; Ballistic missile defense; Data processing
Georg von Bekesy (Medicine, 1961)
For explaining the physical events that take place within the human ear during hearing.
General applications: Audiology
Naval application: Hearing protection
Melvin Calvin (Chemistry, 1961)
For explaining the second stage of photosynthesis
General applications: Plant physiology; Argonomy; Ecology
Naval application: Marine biology
Robert Hofstadter (Physics, 1961)
For pioneering studies of electron scattering in atomic nuclei and for his thereby achieved discoveries concerning the structure of the nucleons.
General applications: Particle physics
Naval application: Nuclear engineering
Donald Glaser (Physics, 1960)
For the invention of the bubble chamber, a device for observing the tracks of high energy subatomic particles.
General applications: Particle physics
Naval application: Hydrodynamic research
Severo Ochoa (Medicine, 1959)
For synthesizing ribonucleic acid.
General applications: Virology; Biotechnology
Naval application: Naval medicine
Linus Pauling (Chemistry, 1954)
For research into the nature of the chemical bond and its application to the elucidation of the structure of complex substances.
General applications: Modern physical chemistry; modern biochemistry
Naval application: All chemical engineering applications: coatings, advances materials, etc.
Felix Bloch (Physics, 1952)
For developing techniques of magnetic measurement in atomic nuclei.
General applications: Magnetic resonance imagery
Naval application: Naval medicine; nondestructive inspection