San Diegos 13th annual Kyoto Prize Symposium was held on March 18 at the Conrad Prebys Aztec Student Union to honor Robert Heath Dennard who invented Dynamic Random Access Memory and proposed scaling theory guidelines.

DRAM operates the memory in digital equipment, storing data and programs. Its found in laptops, cell phones, digital cameras, game systems and other electronic devices. The scaling theory allowed Dennard to miniaturize transistors that allows for devices to be smaller, denser, faster and less expensive.

The event is part of a three-day celebration hosted by San Diego State, along with University of California, San Diego, University of San Diego and Point Loma Nazarene University.

The Kyoto Prize is an international award that honors significant contributions to the scientific, cultural and spiritual betterment of humanity. It was created in 1984 by the nonprofit Inamori Foundation and is the highest private award for global achievement from Japan.

Three recipients are awarded the Kyoto Prize each year in the fields of advanced technology, basic sciences and arts and philosophy. Dennard is the Kyoto Prize laureate in advanced technology.

At the symposium, SDSUs Vice President for Research and Dean of Graduate and Research Affairs Stephen Welter introduced a pivotal moment in Dennards life when he was inspired to create DRAM.

What Im hoping for is theres someone else in this room who, like he was being inspired, will also be inspired, Welter said. In essence what is happening is hes paying forward the inspiration to you that he received from somebody else.

Welter then introduced Dennard, who presented a speech titled Reflections on Creativity in My Microelectronics Career in three parts.

He began with his background, growing up on a farm during the Great Depression and led into his education at Southern Methodist University and Carnegie Institute of Technology. His professional career began at International Business Machines, where he created DRAM.

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Kyoto Prize Symposium comes to SDSU