A look at winners of 2014 Nobel Prize in physics: Akasaki, Amano and Nakamura

WHO WON?

Japanese scientists Isamu Akasaki, 85, a professor at Meijo University, Nagoya, and Hiroshi Amano, 54, a professor at Nagoya University; and American scientist Shuji Nakamura, 60, of the University of California at Santa Barbara.

FOR WHAT?

For inventing blue light-emitting diodes, or LEDs, that has enabled companies to create a light that appears white, allowing them to replace traditional bulbs while keeping the same colour tones that consumers feel comfortable with.

SIGNIFICANCE

The development of blue LEDs has in just two decades helped spread the use of these energy efficient and environment-friendly light sources.

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