CBE for Paul O’Brien FRS

Congratulations to Professor Paul O’Brien, FRS, Professor of Inorganic Materials Chemistry, who has been awarded a CBE in the New Year’s Honours List, for services to science and engineering.

In particular it recognises the extraordinary work he has pursued developing chemistry in Africa. Professor O’Brien’s research centres on developing new chemical processes for thin films and nanoparticles; especially of chalcogenide containing materials. In 2002 he founded Nanoco, an AIM listed company that manufactures nanoparticles. He has published more than 500 scientific papers and edited many books, including a series on nanoscience and technology.

Paul said: “I am delighted to receive the award in recognition of the contributions I have made in the public sector, both locally in the North West, nationally and also internationally. Being named in the New Year’s honours list has a marvellous distinction from purely academic recognition.”

The award caps a successful year for Paul, who was also amongst ten eminent scientists recognised at the Royal Society’s “Labs to Riches” dinner earlier in 2015.

Professor O’Brien, who has worked in inorganic materials chemistry since the 1980s, is also a Fellow of the Royal Society (FRS).