Date:09/02/2005 URL: http://www.thehindubusinessline.com/2005/02/09/stories/2005020902081700.htm

Back Nobel laureate's lecture in city

Our Bureau

Hyderabad , Feb. 8

DR Reddy's Laboratories and the Indian Institute of Chemical Technology (IICT) are jointly organising two lectures by Prof Hideki Shirakawa of Japan on February 9-10.

Prof Shirakawa shared the Noble Prize for Chemistry in 2000 with two chemists from the US, Prof Alan J. Heeger and Prof Alan G. MacDiarmid, for the discovery and development of conductive polymers. It was considered a major breakthrough in the field of polymer science.

Applications of this path-breaking work include light emitting diodes (LEDs), new colour screens, and batteries. In future, it is expected to play a significant role in nano-scale materials.

Prof Shirakawa (who is with the Institute of Material Sciences, University of Tsukuba) will speak on synthesis of polyacetylene at the IICT on February 9 and at the Dr Reddy's Laboratories Centre in Miyapur on February 10.