Edith Flanigen

8/3/2019 Edith Flanigen

http://slidepdf.com/reader/full/edith-flanigen 1/12

Edith Flaniger Edith Flaniger



BiographyBiography

Edith Marie Flanigen began her career inEdith Marie Flanigen began her career inchemistry in the early 1950s, at a timechemistry in the early 1950s, at a time

when few women were working in thewhen few women were working in the

field. It was also a very inventive andfield. It was also a very inventive andexciting time at Union Carbide, whereexciting time at Union Carbide, where

Flanigen began work as a researchFlanigen began work as a research

chemist. In 2004 Flanigen won thechemist. In 2004 Flanigen won the

$100,000 Lemelson-MIT Lifetime$100,000 Lemelson-MIT Lifetime Achievement Award for her Achievement Award for her

groundbreaking achievements in zeolitegroundbreaking achievements in zeolite

and molecular sieve technology.and molecular sieve technology.



Flanigen thrived in the entrepreneurialFlanigen thrived in the entrepreneurial

environment at Union Carbide and wasenvironment at Union Carbide and wasasked to lead a team that discovered aasked to lead a team that discovered awhole new generation of syntheticwhole new generation of syntheticmolecular sieve zeolites. Together theymolecular sieve zeolites. Together they

uncovered over two dozen structures of uncovered over two dozen structures of molecular sieves and 200 compositions—molecular sieves and 200 compositions—several of which have beenseveral of which have beencommercialized in petroleum refining andcommercialized in petroleum refining and

petrochemical processes to reduce energypetrochemical processes to reduce energycosts and industrial waste.costs and industrial waste.



Molecular sieve zeolites are a class of Molecular sieve zeolites are a class of industrial materials used widely throughoutindustrial materials used widely throughoutthe chemical, petrochemical andthe chemical, petrochemical and

petroleum refining industries.. Zeolites canpetroleum refining industries.. Zeolites caneven be found in laundry detergents,even be found in laundry detergents,where they are used to replace thewhere they are used to replace theenvironmentally suspect phosphate.environmentally suspect phosphate.



Flanigen is considered by her peers to beFlanigen is considered by her peers to bethe foremost authority on zeolite chemistrythe foremost authority on zeolite chemistry

and materials. Her discoveries haveand materials. Her discoveries havebrought thousands of new scientists intobrought thousands of new scientists intothe field and have expanded the scope of the field and have expanded the scope of potential functionality for porous materialspotential functionality for porous materialslike molecular sieves. The holder of morelike molecular sieves. The holder of morethan 100 patents, Flanigen has alsothan 100 patents, Flanigen has alsodeveloped a synthetic emerald that wasdeveloped a synthetic emerald that was

designed for use in masers (predecessor designed for use in masers (predecessor to the laser) and was later part of a line of to the laser) and was later part of a line of jewelry. jewelry.



Flanigen credits a high school chemistryFlanigen credits a high school chemistry

teacher for sparking her interest inteacher for sparking her interest inchemistry. “She really made it exciting,”chemistry. “She really made it exciting,”comments Flanigen. “We did hands-oncomments Flanigen. “We did hands-onlaboratory work … and I think I fell in lovelaboratory work … and I think I fell in love

with … chemistry at that time.” This samewith … chemistry at that time.” This sameteacher—a nun—inspired Flanigen’s twoteacher—a nun—inspired Flanigen’s twosisters, who were also chemists at Unionsisters, who were also chemists at UnionCarbide.Carbide.



A native of Buffalo, N.Y., Flanigen earned a A native of Buffalo, N.Y., Flanigen earned aBachelor’s Degree in chemistry (magna cumBachelor’s Degree in chemistry (magna cum

laude) from D’Youville College in Buffalo (1950)laude) from D’Youville College in Buffalo (1950)and a Master’s Degree in inorganic-physicaland a Master’s Degree in inorganic-physicalchemistry from Syracuse University (1952). Shechemistry from Syracuse University (1952). She

began her career at Union Carbide after began her career at Union Carbide after

graduation in 1952, and became the first womangraduation in 1952, and became the first womancorporate research fellow there in 1973, andcorporate research fellow there in 1973, and

senior research fellow in 1982. In 1988 shesenior research fellow in 1982. In 1988 she

became part of UOP, a joint venture of Unionbecame part of UOP, a joint venture of UnionCarbide and Allied Signal, and remained thereCarbide and Allied Signal, and remained thereuntil retirement in 1994.until retirement in 1994.



Currently a consultant at UOP, FlanigenCurrently a consultant at UOP, Flanigen

has remained active professionally andhas remained active professionally and

has served as ambassador to the world for has served as ambassador to the world for zeolites, lecturing in several countries aszeolites, lecturing in several countries as

part of her International Zeolitepart of her International Zeolite

Association Award (1994). Flanigen, the Association Award (1994). Flanigen, thefirst woman to win the Perkin Medalfirst woman to win the Perkin Medal

(1992), is an inductee in the National(1992), is an inductee in the NationalInventors Hall of Fame (2004) and is theInventors Hall of Fame (2004) and is the

recipient of the Francis P. Garvan-John M.recipient of the Francis P. Garvan-John M.Olin Medal of the American ChemicalOlin Medal of the American Chemical

Society (1993), as well as many other Society (1993), as well as many other

awards and honors.awards and honors.



Current Update:Current Update:

Recently, Flanigen joined other inventorsRecently, Flanigen joined other inventors

and educators from across the country toand educators from across the country tobrainstorm ideas for a new math andbrainstorm ideas for a new math and

science school that will be built inside thescience school that will be built inside the

National Inventors Hall of Fame. The groupNational Inventors Hall of Fame. The groupagreed that the environment of the schoolagreed that the environment of the school

should be one that focuses on teamwork,should be one that focuses on teamwork,

creativity, problem solving, experimentation,creativity, problem solving, experimentation,invention, risk-taking, and "unexpectedinvention, risk-taking, and "unexpected

results." The school is expected to open inresults." The school is expected to open in

the fall or winter of 2008.the fall or winter of 2008.



Thank you for your attentions!Thank you for your attentions!

Maya MinchevaMaya MinchevaPG po KTS,PG po KTS,

Pravets,Pravets,BULGARIABULGARIA

Edith Flanigen

Documents

Transcript of Edith Flanigen