Celebrate Asian and Pacific American Heritage with the National Inventors Hall of Fame

In celebration of Asian Pacific American Heritage Month, the National Inventors Hall of Fame^® (NIHF) invites you to learn more about the incredible contributions from a few of our Inductees who are of Asian American and Pacific Islander heritage.

Alfred Cho

Hall of Famer Alfred Cho is considered “the father of molecular beam epitaxy,” a crystal growth technique where single layers of materials are placed on top of one another, one atomic layer at a time. Using this technique, Cho produced the first of many types of diodes, as well as the first field effect transistor that operates at microwave frequencies. Today, we benefit from Cho’s innovations every time we use our cellphones, as the switches in them carry our conversations over radio frequencies made using molecular beam epitaxy. In addition to his induction into NIHF in 2009, Cho also has been awarded the National Medal of Science and the National Medal of Technology.

Haren Gandhi

NIHF Inductee Haren Gandhi’s work in automotive catalyst technology led to cleaner air worldwide. In addition to increasing the effectiveness of the catalytic converter, a device that converts harmful gases produced by the combustion of fossil fuels, Gandhi’s contributions also hastened the ban of leaded gasoline in the United States. He earned a total of 61 U.S. patents related to automotive catalysts and was awarded the National Medal of Technology and Innovation. Gandhi completed much of his work at the Ford Motor Co. and was designated a Henry Ford Technical Fellow. Following his passing, Ford established the Dr. Haren Gandhi Research and Innovation Award in his honor.

Margaret Wu

While working at ExxonMobil Research and Engineering Co., Hall of Famer Margaret Wu revolutionized the field of synthetic lubricants. By developing a new class of polyalphaolefin (PAO), a type of synthetic base oil used in synthetic lubricants, she was able to create a product that improved engine performance, oil life and fuel economy while reducing engine wear and waste oil. Synthetic lubricant products based on Wu’s work can be found in everything from passenger cars to industrial machines like wind turbines. Wu was the first woman at ExxonMobil to become a senior scientific adviser, the highest technical rank in the company. She has earned more than 100 U.S. patents.

Learn More About the Importance of Diversity in STEM

We invite you to visit our blog to learn about more Asian American and Pacific Islander NIHF Inductees.