The scientist Elvira Fortunato, 56 years old, who developed the paper transistor, is distinguished by a career of exceptional projection, inside and outside the country and by the notable contribution to the Portuguese scientific, technological and innovation development.
For the jury, “science and innovation are synonymous with Elvira Fortunato’s career”, underlining “pioneering work in the area of transparent electronics, using sustainable materials and with complete processing at room temperature, and of great impact on the global electronics industry”.
Scientist, full professor and vice-chancellor of Universidade Nova de Lisboa, Elvira Fortunato specializes in Microelectronics and Optoelectronics, and one of the innovations for which she stands out is that of the paper transistor.
The Pessoa Prize, worth 60 thousand euros, is an initiative of the weekly Expresso and Caixa Geral de Depósitos, and aims to recognize the activity of Portuguese people with a significant role in the country’s cultural and scientific life.
This year’s jury was composed by Francisco Pinto Balsemão (president), Emídio Rui Vilar (vice president), Ana Pinho, António Barreto, Clara Ferreira Alves, Diogo Lucena, Eduardo Souto de Moura, José Luís Porfírio, Maria Manuel Mota, Pedro Norton, Rui Magalhães Baião, Rui Vieira Nery and Viriato Soromenho-Marques.
