Log in

View Full Version : Alan MacDiarmid dies


Bartman10
8th February 2007, 13:59
A significant figure in NZ science died yesterday.

Alan MacDiarmid is one of the few NZers to be awarded a Nobel prize. He studied conducting polymers.

http://nobelprize.org/nobel_prizes/chemistry/laureates/2000/
http://nobelprize.org/nobel_prizes/chemistry/laureates/2000/macdiarmid-autobio.html

Although MacDiarmid spent most of his life in the US, he still thought of himself as a kiwi.

Scientists don't feature much on KB but this one is definitely worth a mention.

RIP
James Deuce
8th February 2007, 14:09
Not only a Kiwi, wasn't he born in Pongaroa?

Good excuse for a memorial ride.
skelstar
8th February 2007, 14:26
Wow. Thats a name we hear around here alot.
James Deuce
8th February 2007, 14:33
I guessing "here" is work, not KB? ;)
xwhatsit
8th February 2007, 14:33
Ah, that's a great shame. I learned about him at school when I was overseas -- made me feel proud to be a kiwi, actually. I remember thinking he must be scarily smart because neither my physics nor chemistry teacher seemed to have any idea what his research was about, let alone any of the pupils. Kiwis punching above their weight always make expats feel warm and fuzzy on the inside.

I'm sure I'll hear plenty about him from my lecturers over the next semester.

RIP
Wasp
8th February 2007, 14:34
wow, what a guy. RIP
James Deuce
8th February 2007, 14:34
Conductive polymers. Plastics whut can electrocute yo ass, Mofo!
MrMelon
8th February 2007, 14:37
There's a big photo of him up on the wall at the vic chem labs. Plenty of students researching conductive polymers there at the moment, so his work lives on!
Phurrball
8th February 2007, 14:58
Scientists get far, far too little recognition for their sterling work - both in terms of public recognition and pay (in this country anyway). We use their discoveries daily with hardly a thought...

RIP Alan MacDiarmid.
forkoil
8th February 2007, 15:25
ditto, great man. Saw him on the tube lots a couple years ago when he made a much publicised trip back here. From memory he was attracted to his branch of chemistry initially by colour?? (someone else?)
James Deuce
8th February 2007, 21:06
I know it says Masterton on Wiki (Wikipedia isn't always right, in fact vast chuncks of it are a bit, shall we say, misdirected), BUT there is a something in my brain saying Pongaroa - there is a plaque and sculpture celebrating Mr McDiarmid's Nobel success across the road from the shop at Pongaroa and he was either born there or spent time as a child there.

Anyone who is keen to go take a look and prove me wrong is welcome to jon me, weekend after next.
skelstar
8th February 2007, 21:11
Well the Wairarapa Times-Age in Dec 2001 (http://wairarapa.co.nz/times-age/news2001/011231b.html) say
Also honoured was former Masterton Nobel prize winner, Alan MacDiarmid, who became a member of the Order of New Zealand.

They then go on to say
Pongoroa unveils a memorial for its most famous son, Nobel Prize winning scientist, Maurice Wilkins, born in the town in 1916.

So maybe a case of mistaken identity J2?
James Deuce
8th February 2007, 21:15
Definitely. Nobel prizes all over the Wairarapa. Who'd a think. DNA Helixes and electrified plastic.
Guitana
9th February 2007, 11:51
Thats a shame!! Anna Nicole Smith died today as well maybe he could hook up with her at the pearly gates she digs old geezers!!!!!!
Hitcher
9th February 2007, 17:29
Anna Nicole probably deserves some sort of prize for her contribution to the world of plastics.

And I think you're right too, Jim, about the Pongaroa connection. I used to work with a Stuart McDiarmid who looks the dead spit of the late Alan. I shall make enquiries...