MORRISVILLE, PA – Gelest Inc. announced that its founder, President and Chief Technology Officer (CTO) Dr. Barry Arkles is the recipient of the American Chemical Society 2020 Frederic Stanley Kipping Award in Silicon Chemistry. The American Chemical Society (ACS) presents the award to recognize distinguished contributions to the field of silicon chemistry during the 10 years preceding the nomination. The Dow Corning Corp. established the award in 1960 to commemorate the achievements of Professor Frederic Stanley Kipping.
In addition to scientific achievements in the area of silicon chemistry, Arkles has been instrumental in introducing products derived from silicon chemistry into new commercial applications including advanced thermoplastic composites, oxygen-permeable contact lenses, enzyme and cell immobilization, and interlayer dielectrics and barriers for semiconductors.
“Dr. Arkles’ research is characterized by curiosity, leading to scientific understanding, leading to applications in the real world,” said Professor Michael A. Brook, Science Research Chair in Sustainable Silicone Polymers, Distinguished Professor of Chemistry and Chemical Biology at McMaster University. “While particularly adept at developing synthetic strategies to understand and then manipulate interfaces, he has made important impacts in areas ranging from novel silica precursors, to ultra-extensible rubbers, and bird-rejecting window coatings – all through careful and clever silicone chemistry.”
This is the first time the Kipping award has recognized a researcher who has spent his entire career in the industrial sector. Arkles has over 300 significant publications including over 100 patents in the field of silicon chemistry and related material science.
“In my over 50 years involvement with organosilicon chemistry, Dr. Arkles stands alone in the ability to bring an academic approach to an industrial endeavor. These efforts have resulted in a large number of significant publications and patents in addition to two highly successful silicon-based companies, which have created hundreds of technology-based U.S. jobs. These achievements over the past 45 years along with his continuous contributions to the development of silicon chemistry make him uniquely qualified for the Kipping Award,” said Dr. Gerald L. Larson, Senior Research Fellow at Gelest.
The formal Kipping Award will be presented to Dr. Arkles on March 23, 2020, at the ACS National Meeting in Philadelphia
Gelest Inc., a New Mountain Capital portfolio company headquartered in Morrisville, Pennsylvania, is an innovator, manufacturer and supplier of silicones, organosilanes and metal-organics for advanced technology end markets including medical devices, life sciences, microelectronics, and personal care.
