A PROFESSOR who was born and raised in Dovercourt has been named the winner of a prestigious chemistry award.

Professor Martin Heeney, 47, now based at Imperial College London, has won the Royal Society of Chemistry’s Peter Day Award.

He received the accolade for pioneering contributions to solution processed organic semiconductors, particularly heavy main group containing polymers, and their device application.

After receiving the award, Prof Heeney, who attended Harwich School as a teenager, said: “I am extremely honoured to receive the Peter Day Award.

“This is really an award for my fantastic research group and collaborators, both past and present, and I’d like to thank them for all their hard work and excellent contributions over the years.”

He also received a £2,000 cash prize and a medal.

Prof Heeney’s work focuses on the development of new classes of conjugated polymers which can be used in a wide range of applications from flexible, rollable displays to transparent solar cells for smart windows, to integrated sensors.

These polymers are designed to self-assemble in the solid state to provide optimal performance.

Dr Helen Pain, acting chief executive of the Royal Society of Chemistry, said: “We live in an era of tremendous global challenges, with the need for science recognised now more so than ever – so it is important to recognise those who are making significant contributions towards improving the world we live in.

“It is our honour and privilege to do that with these awards, which recognise exceptional scientific achievement.

“The global chemical sciences community is one that covers many different specialisms, from health and climate change to product development, sustainable transport, and everything in between.

“In recognising the work of Professor Heeney, we are also recognising the important contribution this incredible network of scientists makes to improving our lives every day.”

The society’s prizes and awards are given out in recognition of originality and impact of research or for each winner’s contribution to the chemical sciences industry or education.

They also acknowledge the importance of teamwork across the chemical sciences

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