Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania - Printing Industries of America is pleased to announce Dr. William J. Ray, Nth Degree Technologies Worldwide Inc., Tempe, Arizona, is the recipient of the 2013 Robert F. Reed Technology Medal, recognizing outstanding engineers, scientists, inventors, and researchers in the graphic communications industry. Dr. Ray has an outstanding record of research activities and scientific accomplishments covering many disciplines.

Established in 1974, the Reed Technology Medal perpetuates the memory of Robert F. Reed (1905–1973), “Dean of Lithography,” whose contributions to the understanding of lithographic processes and materials were perhaps the most significant of his time. Nominations were judged by a small committee of past Reed Medal recipients and representatives of Printing Industries of America’s Ben Franklin Honor Society.

Beginning his research career in cybernetics at the University of Missouri, Columbia, and later in Detroit, Michigan, with the Ford Foundation, Ray now holds a Ph.D. in Biophysics, a Master’s Degree in Statistics, and BA in Physics and Chemistry. He is also a member of the Technical Association of the Graphic Arts (TAGA), American Association for the Advancement of Science, The Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE), Society for Information Display, the Materials Research Society, and the American Physical Society.

Ray is the founder of and the Chief Scientist of NthDegree Technologies Worldwide Inc. The work he has done at NthDegree has provided the technological basis for new print products that will help in revitalizing printing as a manufacturing process. He was President and a founder of Group InfoTech, Inc. of East Lansing, Michigan. Group InfoTech conducted contract research and development in various areas of the graphic arts.

“The Judges were impressed with the significant contribution of Dr. Ray to the betterment of knowledge within the printing industry through his many studies, papers, and patent,s” said Dr Mark Bohan, vice president, Technology and Research, Printing Industries of America. “The transition into the field of functional materials for printed electronics is the next evolution of the industry, and the work here has broken new ground into what can be achieved.”

This year’s Reed Award will be presented at The 66^th Annual Technical Conference TAGA, March 23–26, 2014 in Fort Worth, Texas.