IEEE Awards Booklet - 2012 - 4

I E E E

C O R P O R AT E

R E C O G N I T I O N S

2012 IEEE
Corporate Innovation Recognition

2012 IEEE
Ernst Weber Engineering Leadership
Recognition

Sponsored by IEEE

Panasonic Corporation

Tetsuya Iizuka

For developing and commercializing high-performance
heterojunction solar cell technology (HIT)

For pioneering de facto standard video chips for moving
images and nurturing entrepreneurship in Japan

Panasonic Corporation's development of HIT (heterojunction with
intrinsic thin layer) solar cell technology has provided the high
performance and efficiency needed to advance the ability to
harvest solar power as a renewable energy source. An important
step in the evolution of photovoltaic technology, Panasonic's
Sanyo Electric arm developed the HIT solar cell in 1990 and
guided it to commercialization in 1997. Prior to HIT, most solar
cells employed crystalline silicon, which was easy to fabricate but
provided low performance. Key to the success of Panasonic's HIT
process is the heterojunction between amorphous silicon and
crystalline silicon. This provides higher conversion efficiency while
still employing a simple fabrication process for cost effectiveness.
The high-conversion HIT solar cells can provide more electricity
from a smaller number of solar panels compared to traditional
technology, which is important to customers in urban areas where
roof space for panel installation can be limited. In September
2011, Panasonic reported a conversion efficiency of 23.7%, which
was the highest for a HIT solar cell of practical size. Another
advantage of the HIT solar cell is its ability to maintain higher efficiency even at higher temperatures compared to conventional
solar cells. Panasonic's HIT symmetrical structure also makes it
less susceptible to the bending/breakage from thermal damage
seen in conventional cells.

Tetsuya Iizuka's vision and guidance have driven the development of high-speed video processing chips required for today's
demanding flat-panel display applications. Dr. Iizuka founded
THine Microsystems in 1991 to concentrate on advancing the
video-signal interface technology needed for computers and
television displays. Overcoming the many challenges of establishing a start-up venture in Japan, his company has developed
breakthrough solutions for low-cost and compact video-signal
handling that have become the standards for high-definition
moving images. The technology pioneered by Dr. Iizuka has
fueled the success of digital video devices including laptops,
tablets, and 3D televisions. Under Dr. Iizuka's guidance, THine
advanced existing low-voltage differential signaling (LVDS) technology to introduce 10-bit LVDS in 2003. The 10-bit LVDS chip
as a television's internal interface supports 1 billion colors
compared to 8-bit LVDS' 16 million colors and was widely
accepted as the new value for image quality in television
displays. THine also developed the V-by-One HS chip.
Considered the next-generation interface for flat-panel displays,
this technology can realize 3D television through eight pairs of
internal video interface cables compared to the 48 pairs required
with LVDS. Dr. Iizuka founded the Japanese Semiconductor
Venture Association to improve opportunities for entrepreneurs
in Japan and Asia through collaboration with the Global
Semiconductor Alliance (GSA). He has played a key role at the
GSA as a member of its Asia-Pacific Leadership Council. Dr.
Iizuka was also instrumental in Japan's adoption of a new income
tax incentive for early stage investments in 2008.

Panasonic Corporation, which will celebrate its 100th anniversary
in 2018, is committed to the sustainable use of the earth's
resources. Masato Ito currently serves as Executive Officer of
Panasonic Corporation and President of Panasonic's Energy
Company. Panasonic Corporation is based in Osaka, Japan.

An IEEE Senior Member, Dr. Iizuka is currently chief executive
officer of THine Electronics, Inc., Tokyo, Japan.

Scope: For exceptional managerial leadership in the fields of
interest of IEEE

Scope: For outstanding and exemplary contributions by an industrial entity, governmental or academic organization, or other
corporate body, which have resulted in major advancement of
electrotechnology
4

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of IEEE Awards Booklet - 2012