The Samuel Wesley Stratton Award has been annually presented by the National Institute of Standards and Technology since 1962 for "an unusually significant research contribution to science or engineering that merits the acclaim of the scientific world and supports NIST’s mission objectives". The award was named after first director of NIST, then NBS, Samuel Wesley Stratton. The award is considered NIST’s highest award for fundamental research.
1999 David B. Newell, Richard L. Steiner, Edwin R. Williams
2000 Robert D. McMichael "for several breakthroughs in the design of thin-film magnetic materials and devices, which can improve thermal stability and reduce power consumption"
2004 Paul S. Julienne "for world leading theoretical physics research in collisions fundamental to the laser cooling of atoms and Bose-Einstein condensation"
2007 Kent D. Irwin, "for intellectual leadership in developing world-leading superconducting quantum sensors, which are driving innovation in diverse technical areas."
2008 Dietrich G. Leibfried "for the conception and demonstration of a versatile, reliable geometric phase gate, so far the most effective approach to quantum computing research."
2009 :de:James_Bergquist|James C. Bergquist, "for leading the research and development of the world's most precise atomic clock which is based on a single ion of mercury and exquisitely stabilized lasers."
2010 Miral M. Dizdar "for scientific and international leadership in developing measurement methods and standards for DNA damage."
2011 Daniel Josell and Thomas Moffat "for models and processes for defect-free filling of nanoscale features that revolutionized interconnect technologies in high-speed computer chips"
2012 Joseph Stroscio "for scientific achievements in developing new atomic-scale measurement methods involving low- and ultralow temperature scanning tunneling microscopy."
2014 Ian B. Spielman "for transforming the field of quantum simulation by inventing ways to model 'designer' complex systems to solve problems at the frontiers of physics."
2016 Craig Brown "for revealing molecular mechanisms that yield great improvements in gas-separation and catalytic processes in microporous materials"
2017 Samuel L. Manzello "for his groundbreaking engineering and scientific research on the vulnerabilities of built structures to ignition from wind-driven firebrand showers produced from wildland-urban interface fires"
2018 Savelas A. Rabb and Robert D. Vocke "for extraordinary contributions to an international effort to redefine the kilogram"
2019 Wei Zhou "for his innovative use of neutron measurements and computational methods to reveal atomic interactions that significantly improve gas-separation and gas-storage processes in metal-organic frameworks "
