Honeywell announced today that Dr. Ian Shankland, director of technology for Honeywell’s fluorine products business, has been awarded the 2008 Perkin Medal by the Society of Chemical Industry (SCI).
The Perkin Medal is one of the most prestigious honors given in the chemical industry and is awarded to a scientist who has provided innovation in applied chemistry, resulting in outstanding commercial development. Shankland won the award for his successful work to develop alternatives to ozone depleting chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs) and hydrochlorofluorocarbons (HCFCs), which had been commonly used in refrigerants, aerosols, blowing agents, solvents, and sterilant gases.
“This is well deserved recognition for Ian’s enormous contributions to the science of fluorocarbons, and their important role in helping to solve one of the greatest global challenges of our time,” said Ray Stark, vice president of technology for Honeywell specialty materials. Fluorine products is part of the specialty materials strategic business group.
“Ian’s strength as a technologist is further enhanced by his ability to convert science to useful commercial applications, which is a key criteria for Perkin Medal recipients and also a great source of value for Honeywell customers,” added Terrence Hahn, vice president and general manager of fluorine products.
The Perkin Medal was established in 1906 to commemorate the discovery of the first synthetic aniline dye by Sir William Henry Perkin. Perkin was a founding member of SCI and was also the first recipient of the award. Shankland will receive the award at the Annual Perkin Medal dinner in Philadelphia on September 18.
Since joining Honeywell more than 25 years ago, Shankland has led teams that have screened and tested many compounds in search of economically and commercially viable environmentally preferable substitutes aligned with the timely phase out of CFCs and HCFCs, including HFC-245fa, a zero ozone depleting blowing agent for polyurethane foam applications; and R-410A and R-507 refrigerants for air conditioning and stationary refrigeration applications.
Most recently, Shankland has led Honeywell’s research effort at the Buffalo, NY facility to discover and commercialize low global warming refrigerants and blowing agents. As a result of this effort, Honeywell recently announced a new material to replace HFC-134, a refrigerant for mobile air conditioning in Europe, and a solution for certain foam applications in Europe.
Shankland earned his doctorate in physical chemistry from the Adelaide University, Australia, and was awarded a post-doctoral fellowship at Brown University, where he worked for three years prior to Honeywell. He is an inventor on 49 U.S. patents and has published numerous technical and scientific papers.
Prior Perkin Medalists include: Edwin Land of Polaroid; Gordon Moore, co-founder of Intel; and Robert Gore, inventor of Gore-Tex. Among past winners are also Edith M. Flanigen and Vladimir Haensel, both of UOP, a Honeywell company.
The Society of Chemical Industry (SCI) is a unique international forum where science meets business on independent, impartial ground. Anyone can join, and the Society offers a chance to share information between sectors as diverse as food and agriculture, pharmaceuticals, biotechnology, environmental science and safety. Originally established in 1881, SCI is a registered charity with individual members in over 70 countries. Its international headquarters are in London, and it has offices in the U.S., Canada, Australia, India, and mainland Europe. Ever since its foundation, SCI’s principal objective has been to further the application of chemistry and related sciences for the public benefit.
