Category Archives: NWCN News

Halothane

RSC presents Chemical Landmark Award

The Royal Society of Chemistry, the UK Professional Body for chemical scientists, honoured the work of research scientist Charles Suckling and his team by awarding a Chemical Landmark Plaque to Catalyst Science Discovery Centre at a presentation ceremony on Saturday 22ndOctober. 

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Port Sunlight

“A proud tradition of scientific excellence remains at the heart of our research and development today”

Unilever’s Port Sunlight R&D laboratory in the UK has been honoured by the world-renowned Royal Society of Chemistry (RSC) for its 100-year contribution to science.

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Prof Edward Hughes & Bangor University

Prof Edward D Hughes and Bangor University

Bangor, North Wales Oct 23, 2009

An application for the Chemical Landmark was made by the North Wales Local Section. The application was for major contribution to the development of kinetics and mechanisms in organic chemistry by Prof Ted Hughes and for Bangor University and Chemistry celebrating its 125 years anniversary. The support and information from staff in Chemistry at Bangor was much appreciated.

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AstraZeneca Alderley Park

AstraZeneca, Alderley Park

Alderley Park, the Cheshire research and development centre of AstraZeneca, was awarded Chemical Landmark status by the RSC during an inaugural meeting for 200 cancer specialists in AstraZeneca’s new conference facilities on Monday, 22 September 2008.

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A Celebration of the 75th anniversary of Polyethylene

 

A Celebration of the 75thAnniversary of Polyethylene

Following the event held at the Science Museum London in March (see NW Chemistry News, September 2008, page 11), the Plastics Historical Society and the British Plastics Federation held their own meeting at the Royal Society London on 24thOctober 2008, to celebrate the discovery.

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75th anniversary of Polyethylene

A one-day meeting to mark the 75 years of scientific and technological development since the discovery of polyethylene was held at the Science Museum London on the 27the March 2008. This was exactly 75 years to the day that the polymer was discovered by Reginald Gibson and Eric Fawcett in the Winnington Laboratories of ICI Alkali Division near Northwich, Cheshire. (see NW Chemistry News, March 2005. p6).

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John Dalton Cottage

John Dalton Cottage, Eaglesfield, Cumbria

On 7 June 2007, the Royal Society of Chemistry (RSC) honoured John Dalton, Cumbrian scientist and Quaker who revolutionised Chemistry through his Atomic Theory.  Professor Paul O’Brien, Head of School of Chemistry the University of Manchester and RSC Council member presented the RSC Chemical Landmark plaque to Professor Michael Lappert, Fellow of the RSC and owner of John Dalton Cottage in Eaglesfield near Cockermouth, Cumbria.   Professor Lappert gave a talk about John Dalton’s early life and regular visits to his beloved Lakeland and his scientific discoveries mostly recorded in Manchester.  About fifty guests attended the ceremony including representatives from the Manchester Literary and Philosophical Society, Cumbria Local History Federation, Cockermouth Civic Trust, Kirkgate Museum Group, Keswick Museum, Kendal Library, Portico Library, Manchester, RSC representatives and residents of Eaglesfield. The guests were kindly shown round the cottage by Professor Lappert and his wife Lorna.

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Polythethylene

The discovery of polythene by RO Gibson and E W Fawcett at ICI’s Winnington Research Laboratories in March 1933 was commemorated at an RSC Historic Chemical Landmark Ceremony held on Thursday 4th November 2004 at Winnington Hall, Northwich, Cheshire.

Professor Tony Ledwith, past RSC President, hosted the event, attended by the Mayor of Vale Royal and her consort, together with around 35 guests. They included members of the Manchester local section, ex ICI employees and representatives of the Northwich Heritage Society. Special guests included 94 year old Frank Bebbington, who was working in the laboratories when polythene was discovered, 82 year old Leslie Seed and 88 year old Cliff Salt, both of whom worked in the early development of the new polymer.

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John Dalton Bicentenary

Plaques Progressed

The Bi-centennial Festival to celebrate John Dalton‘s historic paper to the Manchester Literary and Philosophical Society (ML&PS) provided an excellent focus to erect some heritage plaques in Manchester. Continue reading