Prize Recipient

James W. Bray
General Electric Research

"For outstanding contributions in applying superconductivity to MRI magnets and industrial scale generators/motors, and for the management of these and other projects that have led to world-class products and leading-edge technology innovations."

Dr. Bray, a native of Atlanta, Georgia, attended Georgia Institute of Technology and was graduated with a B.S. degree in physics in 1970. He received an M.S. in physics from the University of Illinois in 1971 and a Ph.D. in physics in 1974. While at Illinois, he worked under Professor John Bardeen on unusual mechanisms for superconductivity. He joined General Electric Global Research after graduation in September, 1974. Until June 1979, he worked as a theoretical condensed matter physicist in support of several programs. Since June 1979, he held several technical management positions supervising R&D on various physical science topics, biotechnology, electronic materials processing (e.g., molecular beam epitaxy, chemical vapor deposition), electronic devices, electronic packaging, and high-temperature superconductivity. In 1996, he began work in the new GE Six-Sigma quality thrust and eventually acted as manager of the Measurements Systems Program, containing the bulk of the NDE projects. In 1998, he became manager of the new Optical Measurements and Processing Lab, focused on applied optics projects of many types. In 2001, he became Program Manager of the Superconducting Generator Program. With the implementation of TCP (Technical Career Path) in 2006, he became a Chief Scientist within Electrical Technologies. He now works in and consults for several projects, with the largest at present being the wind superconducting generator project. Additionally, he teaches several courses (e.g., A course, Integrity, PI training) and is a Tagger for export compliance. Honors and Awards: Honorary Societies: Phi Eta Sigma (Freshman 1967); Sigma Pi Sigma (Physics 1969); Pi Mu Epsilon (Math 1969); Tau Beta Pi (Engineering 1969); Phi Kappa Phi (General 1969); Sigma Xi (Professional 1974). Coolidge Fellowship (2008), GE highest award for achievement in R&D. APS Pake Prize (2020)