Caltech Researcher Recognized as One of the World's Top Young Innovators

Pasadena, Calif., August 20, 2008--The California Institute of Technology today announced that Julia Greer, assistant professor of materials science in the Division of Engineering and Applied Science, has been recognized by Technology Review magazine as one of the world's top innovators under the age of 35 for her work with materials on a nanoscale level. Selected from more than 300 nominees by a panel of expert judges and the editorial staff of Technology Review, the TR35 is an elite group of accomplished young innovators who exemplify the spirit of innovation.

Greer came to Caltech from Stanford after receiving her undergraduate degree from MIT. Her work looks at the behavior of materials on a nanoscale level. As materials shrink in size, her research group looks at various phenomena associated with the shrinking process, including structural and mechanical integrity.

"Caltech is really an exciting place to be," says Greer. "It provides a rich environment for collaboration and discussion. It's been a great experience building my research group to study this phenomena."

The award also recognizes Greer's achievement in designing and manufacturing an instrument--dubbed the "SEMentor"--which allows her to obtain mechanical properties of materials with nanoscale dimensions.

"The TR35 honors young innovators for accomplishments that are poised to have a dramatic impact on the world as we know it," says Jason Pontin, editor in chief and publisher of Technology Review magazine. "We celebrate their success and look forward to their continued advancement of technology in their respective fields."

Greer and the other TR35 winners for 2008 will be featured in the September issue of Technology Review magazine and honored at the EmTech08 conference to be held at MIT in Cambridge, Massachusetts, September 23 to25.

"I'm especially excited about this award because MIT is my alma mater," says Greer. "I've been fortunate to go through college surrounded by innovative people and expected that in the real world I would come across it again! It's amazing to be part of a group of people moving society towards progress."

Additional information about past and present TR35 winners and judges is available at www.technologyreview.com/tr35/. For more information about the EmTech08 conference, visit www.technologyreview.com/emtech/08/index.aspx.