‘Sticking plaster’ help for skin cancer sufferers
Prof Samuel honoured with Beilby Medal and Prize 2007
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Prof Samuel, EPSRC Senior Research Fellow and Professor of Physics and Director of the Organic Semiconductor Centre, University of St Andrews, UK demonstrates his light-emitting ‘sticking plaster’ (photo: Alan Richardson, Pix-AR) |
This year’s Beilby medal and prize has been awarded
to Professor Ifor Samuel of the organic semiconductor centre in the school of physics and astronomy at the University of St Andrews, UK, for his distinguished contributions
to the development of organic semiconductors for applications
in displays, lasers and medicine.
Samuel’s work includes the development of a novel light-emitting
‘sticking plaster’ which can be used in the treatment of skin cancer. The device, launched in October 2006, builds on established
photodynamic therapy treatment methods and not only reduces pain but has the potential
to be used by patients in their own homes. The portable, lightweight
light source – pictured
being
held by Ifor Samuel – is powered by a pocket-sized battery and is the brainchild of Samuel and dermatology consultant James Ferguson, head of the photobiology
unit at Ninewells Hospital, Dundee, UK.
Professor Samuel has made major contributions to the development and practical application of organic semiconductors for applications in displays, lasers and medicine.
These have been in three main areas. First the invention (with P.L. Burn) of light-emitting dendrimers, a new class of organic semiconductor and their development to give the world's most efficient solution-processed (and hence printable) light -emitting diodes (LEDs). This work led to the acquisition of Opsys Ltd by CDT Ltd, and as well as display applications, the high efficiencies could also reduce energy consumption in solid state lighting. Second is his work towards practical polymer lasers in which he has dramatically reduced the size of pump laser required (to a small diode) and developed a way of nanoscale patterning to make the laser in only two minutes.
Finally (with J.Ferguson) he has invented and demonstrated that semiconducting polymer LEDs provide a highly innovative new approach to skin cancer treatment - enabling ambulatory treatment with the sticking plaster pictured above.
His work has twice been featured on the cover of Advanced Materials, is the topic of major invited reviews to appear in Advanced Materials and Chemical Reviews this year (2007). Three different companies are developing areas of his work commercially.
- The annual Beilby medal and prize is awarded jointly by SCI, the Royal Society of Chemistry and the Institute of Materials Mining and Metallurgy for work of exceptional merit and practical
significance in chemical engineering,
materials science and engineering, energy efficiency or a related field.
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