Willard Boyle
Physicist, Nobel Prize in Physics recipient

Born
August 19th, 1924
100 years ago
Died
May 7th, 2011
14 years ago — 86 years old
Category
Scientists & Innovators
Country
Canada
Links & References
A Canadian physicist and academic contributed significantly to the field of physics. In 1969, invented the charge-coupled device (CCD) alongside George E. Smith, which revolutionized electronic imaging. This technology is widely used in video cameras, digital cameras, and astronomical imaging. The scientific contributions were recognized by the Nobel Prize in Physics awarded in 2009. Boyle worked at Bell Laboratories for many years, and his research focused on the development of light-sensitive devices, solid-state physics, and optical technologies.
Invented the charge-coupled device
Nobel Prize in Physics, 2009
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