Election to the NAE is among the highest professional distinctions accorded to an engineer. Academy membership honors those who have made outstanding contributions to "engineering research, practice, or education, including where appropriate, significant contributions to the engineering literature," and to the "pioneering of new and developing fields of technology, making major advancements in traditional fields of engineering, or developing/implementing innovative approaches to engineering education."

In its announcement of his election, and that of 66 other new members and 11 foreign associates, the NAE cited Allebach's work in developing algorithms for digital image half-toning for imaging and printing.