Citation
Laureates 2026
in Physics
Recognizing researchers whose work has advanced display technologies, quantum electronics, and multifunctional materials.
Chihaya Adachi
Japan
Chihaya Adachi
"for pioneering research on phosphorescent organic light-emitting diodes (PHOLEDs) and thermally activated delayed fluorescence (TADF), enabling ultrahigh-efficiency organic light-emitting diodes"
Kyushu University
Stephen R. Forrest
United States
Stephen R. Forrest
"for pioneering research on phosphorescent organic light-emitting diodes (PHOLEDs) and thermally activated delayed fluorescence (TADF), enabling ultrahigh-efficiency organic light-emitting diodes"
University of Michigan
Mark E. Thompson
United States
Mark E. Thompson
"for pioneering research on phosphorescent organic light-emitting diodes (PHOLEDs) and thermally activated delayed fluorescence (TADF), enabling ultrahigh-efficiency organic light-emitting diodes"
University of Southern California
Awarded to Chihaya Adachi, Stephen R. Forrest and Mark E. Thompson
“for pioneering research on phosphorescent organic light-emitting diodes (PHOLEDs) and thermally activated delayed fluorescence (TADF), enabling ultrahigh-efficiency organic light-emitting diodes”
These second- and third-generation advances in organic light emitting diode technology have brought both high efficiency and sustainability to the display devices we all use today.
Nicola A. Spaldin
Switzerland
Nicola A. Spaldin
"for fundamental theoretical developments leading to the establishment of room-temperature magnetoelectric multiferroics, which are enabling new energy-efficient device paradigms"
ETH Zurich
Awarded to Nicola A. Spaldin
“for fundamental theoretical developments leading to the establishment of room-temperature magnetoelectric multiferroics, which are enabling new energy-efficient device paradigms”
Combining ferroelectricity and ferromagnetism properties in new materials points to a future of ultra-low-power computing.
Qikun Xue
Mainland China
Qikun Xue
"for experimental observation of the quantum anomalous Hall Effect"
Southern University of Science and Technology / Tsinghua University
Awarded to Qikun Xue
“for experimental observation of the quantum anomalous Hall Effect”
This milestone experiment demonstrated the possibility of a zero-resistance highway for electricity in consumer electronics.
Solving the puzzles of multifunctional materials:
A conversation with Nicola A. Spaldin
In this video interview, Citation Laureate 2026 Nicola A. Spaldin describes the pleasure of solving puzzles, discovering the unexpected and expanding human knowledge through curiosity-driven research. She reflects on the value of negative results and identifies curiosity, creativity and perseverance as essential qualities for researchers, alongside another attribute that is sometimes overlooked: kindness.
Spaldin introduces multiferroics, materials that combine magnetic and electrical properties and allow each to influence the other. She explains how this research could contribute to smaller, more energy-efficient technologies and discusses the unexpected potential for biomedical applications, including approaches to drug delivery controlled by magnetic fields outside the body.
Watch the full video interview on YouTube
Find out more about Citation Laureates 2026 in Physiology or Medicine, Chemistry and Economics, and search for all Citation Laureates named since 2002 in the Hall of Citation Laureates.
Find the experts behind breakthrough research
Web of Science Research Intelligence helps uncover influential researchers, emerging talent, and fast-moving areas of innovation.
