TÜBA-GEBİP Award Recipient Prof. Dr. Bayram Receives Technology Award from Elginkan Foundation
Prof. Dr. Barış Bayram, recipient of the 2011 TÜBA-Outstanding Young Scientist Award (TÜBA-GEBİP), was awarded the Elginkan Foundation 2025 Technology Award for his research study titled “Yapay Duyular: Elmasla Gören, Işıkla Duyan, Beyin Gibi Düşünen Mikro-Sistemler” (Artificial Senses: Diamond-Seeing, Light-Hearing, Brain-Like Thinking Micro-Systems.)
The interdisciplinary study conducted by Prof. Dr. Bayram, a faculty member at Middle East Technical University (METU), focuses on the development of diamond-based sensors, photonic systems, and micro-scale artificial systems with brain-like information processing capabilities. The artificial senses developed within the scope of the research aim to open the door to innovative applications in many areas, such as health technologies, the defense industry, advanced sensing systems, and artificial intelligence-supported smart devices.
This work was deemed worthy of the award due to its significant scientific and technological contribution to the smart systems of the future by combining nature-inspired sensing and learning mechanisms with advanced materials science and micro/nano technologies.
In addition, the Elginkan Foundation 2025 Turkish Culture Research Award was presented to Prof. Dr. Hamza Zülfikar for his contributions to the Turkish language throughout his professional life and his publications on Turkish linguistics, and to Prof. Dr. Ömer Turan from METU for his document-based studies and publications on various topics in Turkish history. The Technology Award went to Prof. Dr. Bayram, along with Prof. Dr. Yusuf Ziya Menceloğlu from Sabancı University (SU) for his work on the development of Biodegradable Super Absorbent Polymers and their conversion into the NanotermTM product, and Prof. Dr. Seda Kızılel from Koç University (KU) for her work on the cross-linking of the cornea using a visible light source and biocompatible ruthenium compounds.
The Elginkan Foundation Technology Awards are given to encourage original and high-quality work in the fields of science, technology, and innovation in Türkiye. The Foundation aims to support research that strengthens collaboration between universities, research centers, and industry, contributing to the country's technological development and global competitiveness. The awards, given annually in different technology fields, bring scientific excellence and socially beneficial research to the public.