David Henry Solomon facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
David Solomon
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David Solomon holding specimen polymer banknotes
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| Born | 18 November 1929 |
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| Known for | Development of Living Radical Polymerization techniques, and polymer banknotes |
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| Scientific career | |
| Fields | Polymer chemistry |
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David Henry Solomon is an Australian polymer chemist born in Adelaide, South Australia, in 1929. He is famous for his important work in creating special ways to make polymers. He also helped invent the polymer banknotes we use today.
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Becoming a Scientist
David Solomon studied chemistry at several universities in Australia. He earned his first degree in 1952 from the New South Wales University of Technology, which is now the University of New South Wales. He continued his studies there, earning his Master's degree in 1955 and his PhD in 1959. Later, in 1968, he received a higher degree called a DSc. In 2005, the University of Melbourne gave him an special honorary doctorate.
David Solomon's Career
David Solomon started his career very young, at just 16 years old, in 1946. He worked as a trainee chemist at a company that made paints, which later became Dulux Australia Ltd. This is where he first became very interested in polymers. He noticed that the way polymers were supposed to work didn't always match what happened in real factories.
In 1963, David joined CSIRO, Australia's main science research group. He became a senior research scientist. He started a special group there focused on polymer research in 1970. Later, he became the chief of a division, leading research for 17 years.
After his time at CSIRO, in 1990, he became a professor at the University of Melbourne. There, he started another successful polymer research group. Even after he officially "retired" in 1995, he continued to work as an advisor, helping the Polymer Science Group. In 2015, he was given the title of professor emeritus at the University of Melbourne.
Many people call David Solomon the "father of polymer research" in Australia. This is because he created three highly respected polymer research groups. These groups were in industry (Dulux), at CSIRO, and at the University of Melbourne.
Amazing Discoveries
David Solomon is well-known for several big discoveries in science. His work on how polymers are made, called "free radical polymerization," changed the field. He also led the team that invented the world's first polymer banknote.
Making Polymers Better
David Solomon's important work on making polymers started with things he noticed in factories. For example, some batches of materials would suddenly catch fire! These observations led him to new discoveries that changed how scientists understood polymers.
His research led to a new way of making polymers called Nitroxide Mediated Polymerization (NMP). This was the first time scientists could control how polymers grew, making them more useful. His work also helped develop another important method called RAFT. David Solomon's discoveries helped rewrite the science of how polymers form. He even co-wrote a very important book about it. His work showed that how fast chemical reactions happen (kinetics) is more important than how stable they are (thermodynamics) in controlling polymer growth.
The Plastic Money Idea
In 1967, Australia had a problem: fake $10 banknotes were appearing. David Solomon was asked to help make money safer. Because he knew so much about polymers, he had a brilliant idea: print money on plastic instead of paper! He also suggested adding special features that would change how they looked when you moved them.
David Solomon led the team that invented the world's first polymer banknote. The first plastic $10 note was put into use in Australia in 1988. He also wrote a book about how these plastic banknotes were created, from the first idea to becoming real money.
Awards and Recognition
David Solomon has received many important awards throughout his career. Here are some of them:
- 2016: Companion of the Order of Australia
- 2011: Prime Minister's Prize for Science (shared with Dr Ezio Rizzardo)
- 2006: Victoria Prize
- 2001: Centenary Medal
- 1994: Clunies Ross National Science and Technology Award
- 1990: Member of the Order of Australia
- 1989: Ian William Wark Medal and Lecture
Science Groups
David Solomon's amazing work has been recognized by many science groups. He has been elected as a Fellow in several important Academies:
- Fellow of the Institution of Chemical Engineers (2007)
- Fellow of the Royal Society (2004)
- Fellow of the Australian Academy of Technological Sciences and Engineering (1976)
- Fellow of the Australian Academy of Science (1975)
- Fellow of the Royal Australian Chemical Institute (1966)
He has always been very active in these groups, especially the Royal Australian Chemical Institute (RACI). In 2001, the RACI started the Solomon Lecture Series. This special lecture series honors his contributions to science and to the RACI. Every two years, a leading international polymer researcher gives a talk. This helps young scientists learn from the best in their field.
