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Media Advisory: Michael Tinkham Awarded the Fred E. Saalfeld Award for Outstanding Lifetime Achievement in Science

For Immediate Release: Apr 15, 2005

Arlington, Va. – Dr. Michael Tinkham of Harvard University was presented with the Fred E. Saalfeld Award for Outstanding Lifetime Achievement in Science by Chief of Naval Research Rear Adm. Jay M. Cohen at the Office of Naval Research, Thursday, April 13, 2005. Dr. Tinkham was nominated for his many groundbreaking contributions to our understanding of superconductivity.

Dr. Tinkham, who holds the Gordon McKay Professor of Applied Physics and Rumford Professor of Physics chairs at Harvard, has been an ONR-funded, defining figure in superconductivity research for more than half a century. His work has provided the cornerstones of understanding the physics of superconductivity, which is the basis for all development work on superconducting electronics for naval systems.

His work has enabled applications in communications and signal processing currently under development for Navy systems. His achievements include demonstrations of an energy gap and mesoscopic device physics and elaboration of the full range of dynamic and nonequilibrium effects, especially in Josephson junctions.

This award is named in honor of Dr. Fred E. Saalfeld, the Office of Naval Research Executive Director and Technical Director from 1993 - 2002. The award was established to recognize, on a highly selective basis, a naval research scientist for extraordinary lifetime achievements in science that contributed substantially to the knowledge and capabilities of the Department of the Navy, Department of Defense, and the nation. It is the highest scientific award the Office of Naval Research confers on a naval research scientist.

About the Office of Naval Research

The Department of the Navy’s Office of Naval Research provides the science and technology necessary to maintain the Navy and Marine Corps’ technological advantage. Through its affiliates, ONR is a leader in science and technology with engagement in 50 states, 55 countries, 634 institutions of higher learning and nonprofit institutions, and more than 960 industry partners. ONR, through its commands, including headquarters, ONR Global and the Naval Research Laboratory in Washington, D.C., employs more than 3,800 people, comprising uniformed, civilian and contract personnel.