The 2005 and 2006 National Medals of Science, administered by the National Science Foundation, and the 2005 and 2006 National Medals of Technology, administered by the US Department of Commerce, were conferred at a White House ceremony in July. The awards are the nation’s highest honors for scientific research that enhances understanding of the world and for technological innovation.

Of the 16 National Medal of Science laureates honored, 9 are or were involved in physics-related work.

Selected “for his seminal contributions to engineering research and education in the area of wave propagation in solids and for pioneering the field of quantitative non-destructive evaluation” was Jan D. Achenbach, Walter P. Murphy Professor and McCormick School Professor in the departments of civil engineering, mechanical engineering, and applied mathematics at Northwestern University in Evanston, Illinois. He is also director of the university’s center for quality engineering and failure prevention.

Ralph A. Alpher...

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