SCIENTIFIC breakthroughs are to be recognised with a prestigious award for a team of Hull researchers. The University of Hull's Department of Chemistry is to receive the prestigious National Historic Chemical Landmark Award, presented by the Royal Society of Chemistry, in recognition of its leading role in the development of liquid crystals. The presentation of this coveted award will take place on November 7.

Hull's crucial role in the history of liquid crystals began with the research of Professor George Gray, FRS, CBE within the Department of Chemistry and was continued by Professor John Goodby until recently. Professor Gray and his co-workers established the basic principles for liquid crystal chemistry during more than 40 years of research at Hull.

They discovered the cyanobiphenyl class of materials which were essential to the development of the first successful liquid crystal display devices.

Liquid crystals from Professor Gray's laboratory were commercialised by BDH Chemicals Ltd, now E. Merck, in collaboration with researchers from the Ministry of Defence, which sponsored the research, and were soon used in enormous numbers by the electronics industry in digital watches and calculators.

Professor Paul Fletcher, Head of the Department of Chemistry, said: "We are absolutely delighted to receive this award, which highlights the department's role in this pioneering technology, which is now used in millions of consumer products and technical instruments all over the world.

"This is yet another example of significant innovation in the university and the city of Hull and it is fitting that it has been recognised and commemorated at a national level."

As a result of its work, the University of Hull was awarded the Queen's Award for Technological Achievement in 1979 and it continues to play a key role in the development of display technology, now being used in the displays for cameras, mobile phones, computer monitors and television screens.

The research team in Hull is currently investigating new light-emitting materials, which may lead to new applications, such as flat wall lighting.

Due to its reputation for scientific research and teaching, the number of students wishing to study chemistry in Hull is currently at a record high.

Multimillion-pound investment in the department over the past few years has provided state of the art laboratories and increased research capability, particularly in nanotechnology and liquid crystals.

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