Tonti, who works in IBM's Engineering & Technology Services unit and focuses on advanced microcircuit technology, received his first patent in 1994.

The inventor works with Advanced Micro Devices design team at IBM's 300-mm facility in East Fishkill, N.Y. The partners are developing chip technology at the 65-nm node.

Tonti is a 1978 graduate of Northeastern University where he earned a bachelor's degree in engineering, with honors. He earned engineering master's and doctoral degrees from the University of Vermont.

Tonti has worked on PowerPC microprocessor development, most recently for the Apple G5. He has also contributed to gigabit vertical cell DRAM technology development. Tonti is a senior member of the IEEE's advisory board.

Over the last decade, IBM has been granted more U.S. patents than any other company. It received 3,288 patents in 2002.