Polymers, plastic and lighting up the universe: winners of PMs Science Prize

12 Oct 2011
Professor David Solomon from the University of Melbourne, has been awarded the Prime Minister’s Prize for Science for his role in revolutionising polymer science.

Professor Solomon, a professorial fellow in Engineering, was joint winner of the $300,000 prize with Professor Ezio Rizzardo from CSIRO.

Professor Stuart Wyithe, also from the University of Melbourne received the $50,000 Malcolm McIntosh Prize for Physical Scientist of the year for his work on the physics of the formation of the Universe.

When we think about everyday items such as paint, tyres and our computers, it is likely that some of its component materials will have been produced using revolutionary chemical theories and processes invented in Australia by Professor Solomon and his collaborator with Professor Ezio Rizzardo.

Their techniques are employed in almost every university chemistry department, and the laboratories and factories of up to 100 companies. David Solomon, born in the Great Depression, began working for a paint factory in Sydney at 16. Now 81, he is still pursuing research as a professorial fellow at the University of Melbourne.

This formidable team has been able to harness the power of organic chemistry to provide unprecedented control over the structure, composition and properties of the polymers that are now used in almost every facet of our lives. In essence, they devised a means of custom building plastics and other polymers for tasks at the cutting edge of technology.

"I am delighted to have won this prestigious award. I pay tribute to my co-recipient Professor Ezio Rizzardo and the entire research team," Professor Solomon said

Professor Stuart Wyithe’s theories lead humanity to another dimension of thinking. A theoretical physicist, he will tackle the big questions to be asked by a new multi-billion-dollar generation of telescopes including the Giant Magellan Telescope.

The Universe was born on a hot Big Bang. But after 300,000 years of expansion it became a cold dark place-no galaxies, no stars, no light. A billion years later, nuclear fusion lit up the Universe as hydrogen atoms clumped to form stars and galaxies. Professor Wyithe said, "It would be accurate to say I was born with a love of astronomy. This Science prize is a great honour and my work will continue to focus on the structure of the Universe."

Professor Glyn Davis, University of Melbourne Vice-Chancellor congratulated the winners. "This is a wonderful achievement which reflects years of hard work by Professors Solomon and Wyithe, and which has had a real impact on the world around us. The accolade is a welcome of the depth of research across the university, but especially within the teams led by these two outstanding scientists."