The discovery of conductive polymers fundamentally altered material science by enabling plastic to transmit electricity, a breakthrough that earned Alan MacDiarmid the 2000 Nobel Prize in Chemistry. His research transformed standard polymers into versatile components now utilized in solar cells, light-emitting diodes, and advanced display technologies, shifting the boundary between insulators and conductive metals.
Academic Foundation
Born in Masterton in 1927, MacDiarmid cultivated an early interest in chemistry through self-study using antique textbooks. His formal training began at Victoria University of Wellington, where he balanced his studies with work as a laboratory assistant. After completing his Master of Science degree in 1951, he secured a Fulbright Fellowship to the University of Wisconsin–Madison, earning his first PhD in 1953. He subsequently pursued a second PhD at Sidney Sussex College, University of Cambridge, completing his studies there in 1955.
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MacDiarmid began his teaching career with a junior faculty position at the University of St Andrews in Scotland. Shortly thereafter, he joined the University of Pennsylvania, where he remained for 45 years, eventually being named the Blanchard Professor of Chemistry in 1988. While his initial two decades at the institution were dedicated to silicon chemistry, his reputation became permanently linked to the 1977 publication regarding conductive polymers, a project conducted alongside Hideki Shirakawa and Alan Heeger.
Industrial Application and Later Years
The practical implications of conductive plastics extend to smart windows, anti-static films, and mobile phone displays. In 2002, MacDiarmid expanded his academic focus by joining the faculty at the University of Texas at Dallas. Throughout his career, he authored over 600 papers and held 20 patents. He passed away in February 2007 in Drexel Hill, Pennsylvania, following a fall, and was buried at Arlington Cemetery.
Fast facts
- Born: 1927, Masterton, New Zealand
- Died: 7 February 2007, Drexel Hill, Pennsylvania
- Nobel Prize in Chemistry: 2000
- Primary Fields: Inorganic chemistry, conductive polymers
- Key Employers: University of Pennsylvania, University of St Andrews, University of Texas at Dallas
- Education: Victoria University of Wellington, University of Wisconsin–Madison, University of Cambridge
- Memberships: Royal Society, National Academy of Sciences
- Notable Awards: Oesper Award, Centenary Prize, John Scott Award, Rutherford Medal
Questions readers ask
What was the core significance of MacDiarmid's Nobel-winning work?
He co-discovered that certain polymers, traditionally known as electrical insulators, could be modified to conduct electricity, facilitating the development of modern light-emitting diodes and flexible electronics.
How long was MacDiarmid associated with the University of Pennsylvania?
He worked as a faculty member at the University of Pennsylvania for 45 years, serving as a full professor starting in 1964 and later as the Blanchard Professor of Chemistry.
Achievements
- Fellow of the Royal Society
- Nobel Prize in Chemistry — 2000
- Honorary Fellow of the Royal Society Te Apārangi
- Held posts at University of Pennsylvania, University of St Andrews and University of Texas at Dallas
- Educated at Hutt Valley High School, Sidney Sussex College and University of Cambridge
- Fields of research: chemistry
