IEEE Heinrich Hertz Medal
The IEEE Heinrich Hertz Medal was established by the Board of Directors in 1987 'for outstanding achievements in electromagnetic waves.' It may be presented annually to an individual for achievements which are theoretical or experimental in nature, and which have been achieved in any year preceding the award.
The medal is named in honor of the renowned scientist whose experiments verified Maxwell's theory and proved that all forms of electromagnetic radiation are propagated as waves at a finite velocity - - the speed of light. The Medal was proposed in 1986 by the IEEE Germany Section in Region 8 as centennial recognition of Hertz's experiments, which took place from 1886 to 1891.
In the evaluation process, the following criteria are considered: Contribution represents exceptional advance in the state of electromagnetics; contribution may be theoretical or experimental in nature; desirably, it should be both; contribution may deal with electromagnetics at any frequency, and may entail, for example: generation, detection, propagation, transmission, or interaction with matter; contribution must have been reported widely, and with clarity, to enable others to make further contributions to fundamental knowledge or to applications; and the overall strength of the nomination package as prepared by the nominator.
Recipient selection was administered by the IEEE Medals Council of the IEEE Awards Board.
The award consisted of a gold medal, bronze replica, certificate, and honorarium.
The last presentation of this award was in 2001. This award was discontinued in November 2009.
