Clyde Kimball technically is retired, but apparently no one has told him or I-Street magazine.

Kimball, a distinguished research professor in the department of physics and director of NIU’s new nanoscience laboratory, has been named one of I-Street magazine’s Top 100 list of people who have the most significant impact on the technology industry and economic development in Illinois.

Kimball downplayed the achievement and credited the department.

“I really do believe that the selection had to do with the quality of research and the quality of the faculty,” he said. “The physics department has outstanding faculty.”

Kimball’s recognition is because of his research in the field of nanotechnology, which involves building electronic devices from tiny atoms. Such mechanisms could change the face of the medicine and manufacturing industries.

John Shaffer, chair of the physics department, reciprocated Kimball’s praise for the department.

“He’s a typical physics professor, but very much devoted to science,” he said. “He’s retired technically, but he continues to work in the department. That’s an indication of how dedicated he is to his profession.”

Darcy Evon, publisher of I-Street, said it was Kimball’s impressive work in the field of nanoscience that warranted his selection to the list.

“People were really excited about his research,” she said. “It’s that he is not from the University of Chicago or Northwestern, and still he is leading the way with this nanotechnology. He is really one of the key players promoting more research and more understanding.”

Kimball said that working at NIU has not been a hindrance when fighting for recognition among Illinois’ more highly recognized universities.

“I feel the infrastructure that I work in at Northern plays a large part in being recognized,” he said. “President John Peters is creating the environment that allows this infrastructure to be successful.”