This prize was established in 1960 by the Dow Corning Corporation. This was in recognition of the pioneering research into silicon chemistry conducted between 1897 and 1939 by Frederic S. Kipping, FRS Sir Jesse Boot Professor of Chemistry at University College Nottingham. He worked first at the Arkwright Building in Shakespeare Street and then at the newly opened Trent Building, University Park.
Professor Kipping coined the term 'silicone' for the polymers he first produced in 1904. These materials have subsequently been developed as lubricants, electrical insulators, protective coatings and medical implants worth more than $8 billion per annum. This is one of only two major prizes awarded by the American Chemistry Society that is named in honour of a British Chemist. The other being the Priestley Medal named after Joseph Priestley the discoverer of Oxygen. The University of Nottingham was awarded a Royal Society of Chemistry Chemical Landmark plaque in 2004 to celebrate the centenary of Kipping's discovery.
A biographical paper on Kipping's life and chemical contributions has recently been published in the journal Silicon.
A full list of the ACS Kipping Award Winners can be found here.
University Park Nottingham, NG7 2RD
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