Oscars shine on science

Larry Hornbeck

In 2008, AIP recognized Texas Instruments Fellow Larry Hornbeck with the Prize for the Industrial Applications of Physics for his invention of Digital Micromirror Devices integrated into metal-oxide semiconductor technology. In 2015, this same invention garnered Hornbeck an Oscar. Hornbeck’s work is revolutionizing how motion pictures are created, distributed, and viewed. His technology has enabled the movie industry to convert 35-mm motion picture film to digital cinema using digital micromirrors that now power more than eight out of 10 digital movie theatre screens.The technology made its public debut in 1999, when “Star Wars: Episode 1–The Phantom Menace” was released as the first full-length motion picture using this technology.

There were other nice physics connections in last week’s Academy Awards broadcast. During the acceptance speech for achievements for visual effects, Paul Franklin mentioned Kip Thorne: “And thank you to one of the smartest people on Earth, Professor Kip Thorne of Caltech, and all the explorers of science who show us the universe in all its amazing and terrifying beauty.”

 

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Larry Hornbeck revolutionized the film industry with digital micromirrors