IEEE Awards Booklet - 2011 - 11

I E E E

M E D A L S

2011 IEEE
Medal for Environmental and Safety
Technologies

2011 IEEE
Robert N. Noyce Medal

Sponsored by the Intel Foundation

Shoichi Sasaki

Pasquale Pistorio

For pioneering contributions to the development and
market penetration of hybrid electric vehicles (HEVs)
through the invention of their power output apparatus
and control method

For contributions to, and leadership in, the technology,
business and environmental development of the global
semiconductor and electronics industry

Shoichi Sasaki's contributions to the technology behind the
Toyota Prius hybrid electric vehicle (HEV) has helped drive the
success of HEVs and revolutionize the automobile industry. He
invented the control method for the Prius that made hybrid
control simpler and more transparent by introducing power to
the control algorithm to combine internal combustion engine
control and battery charge/discharge control. Launched in 1997
in Japan, the Prius obtained revolutionary fuel efficiency using
the "Toyota Hybrid System" (THS). Professor Sasaki was instrumental in implementing the THS after simulating and modeling
several potential hybrid systems. His unified control algorithm
achieved optimal fuel efficiency, adjustable engine starting and
stopping while driving, suppression of changes in driving force
and control of the battery. Due to the algorithm's flexibility, it
has been applied to all Toyota hybrid vehicles. Professor Sasaki
also supervised the electric power management to ensure prevention of over-voltage, over-current and over-heating of system
components as well as excessive charging/discharging of the
battery in real-world driving conditions. He also developed a
variable voltage drive system that incorporates a boost converter
to reduce motor drive current, allowing for more compact
inverters and motor generators and providing a lighter weight
system. The boost converter system was introduced in the 2003
Prius. Professor Sasaki's contributions to the safety of the vehicle
include a fail-safe and diagnostic system for the traction motor
system to combat unintentional drive force from motor-controlrelated component failure. An IEEE Member, Professor Sasaki is
currently a professor at the Keio University Graduate School of
System Design and Management, Yokohama, Japan.

Pasquale Pistorio's pioneering efforts helped improve the microelectronics industry in Europe and formed one of the world's top
semiconductor manufacturers. Mr. Pistorio merged Italy's SGS
Group with France's Thomson Semiconducteurs during the
1980s to form what is today known as STMicroelectronics. In
1980, he left Motorola Corporation while general manager of its
International Semiconductor Division to take on the challenge of
reviving the only remaining microelectronics company in his
native Italy. As chief executive officer of the SGS Group, he
transformed the struggling company into a successful semiconductor manufacturer. This led to the merger with Thomson in
1987, which positioned the newly formed company, then known
as SGS-Thomson Microelectronics, as a strong international
competitor. Mr. Pistorio's leadership skills were crucial in overcoming the anxieties and mistrust initially involved with this
first-of-its-kind merger of equals in a very competitive industry.
His vision and leadership helped overcome the diverse social,
economic and political landscape in Europe to successfully add
and merge companies in France, Italy, the United Kingdom and
the United States. Mr. Pistorio was also a key driver of advanced
technology research groups that helped Europe close the technology gap with the rest of the world as companies learned that
competitors could become respected partners for the good of
the industry. An advocate of environmental protection who
believes that environmentally friendly companies are more financially competitive, Mr. Pistorio also has a special interest in
bridging the imbalance between those with access to technology and those without. Mr. Pistorio retired from
STMicroelectronics, Geneva, Switzerland, as president and chief
executive officer in 2005 and is the company's honorary
chairman.

Scope: For outstanding accomplishments in the application of
technology in the fields of interest to IEEE that improve the
environment and/or public safety.

Scope: For exceptional contributions to the microelectronics
industry.

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of IEEE Awards Booklet - 2011