The Nobel Prize in Physics for 2014 has been awarded to three scientists for their invention of blue LEDs.

Isamu Akasaki, Hiroshi Amano and Shuji Nakamura will share prize money of eight million kronor (0.7 million).

In the early 1990s, red and green diodes had been around for a long time but without blue light, white lamps could not be created. Despite considerable efforts, both in the scientific community and in industry, the blue LED had remained a challenge for three decades.

When scientists Akasaki, Amano and Nakamura produced bright blue light beams from their semi-conductors, they triggered a fundamental transformation of lighting technology.

The Nobel jury commended the “invention of efficient blue light-emitting diodes which has enabled bright and energy-saving white light sources”.

In the spirit of inventor and business tycoon Alfred Nobel, the Prize seeks to reward an invention of greatest benefit to mankind.

The Nobel Prize in Physics is awarded by the Royal Swedish Academy of Sciences, Stockholm, Sweden. It has been awarded to 199 Nobel Laureates since 1901.