Hideki Shirakawa

Hideki Shirakawa was born on August 20, 1936, in Tokyo, Japan. He would go on to become a renowned chemist, known particularly for his pioneering work with conducting polymers. His interest in chemistry began at a young age, leading him to pursue studies and eventually make significant contributions to the field of polymer chemistry.

In 1961, Hideki Shirakawa completed his undergraduate studies in chemical engineering at the Tokyo Institute of Technology. This education laid the critical foundation for his future research and discoveries in the field of conductive polymers, which would later earn him international recognition and accolades, including the Nobel Prize.

In 1977, Hideki Shirakawa, along with Alan MacDiarmid and Alan Heeger, published their groundbreaking research on conductive polymers. They discovered that polyacetylene, when doped with iodine, became conductive, a revelation that opened new possibilities for the development of organic conductive materials and flexible electronics.

In June 1982, Hideki Shirakawa was appointed as a professor at the University of Tsukuba, where he continued his influential research in polymer chemistry. His work during this time contributed significantly to the understanding and development of conductive polymers, further establishing his prominence in the scientific community.

On October 10, 2000, Hideki Shirakawa was awarded the Nobel Prize in Chemistry, along with Alan J. Heeger and Alan G. MacDiarmid, for the discovery and development of conductive polymers. This recognition highlighted the significance of their work, which revolutionized materials science and had vast implications for electronics.

In December 2001, Hideki Shirakawa, alongside his colleagues Alan Heeger and Alan MacDiarmid, received the Linus Pauling Award. This prestigious award recognized their outstanding contributions to chemistry, particularly their work on conductive polymers that could lead to exciting technological applications.

Hideki Shirakawa officially retired from his academic position at the University of Tsukuba in November 2006. Although retired, Shirakawa continued to inspire young scientists and to be involved in the scientific community through various engagements and lectures, reflecting his lifelong commitment to chemistry.

On March 25, 2010, Hideki Shirakawa published his autobiography, in which he detailed his journey in chemistry, highlighting the pivotal moments and insights that led to his major discoveries. The autobiography provides an intimate look into his professional life and the series of events that culminated in his Nobel-winning research.

In September 2015, Hideki Shirakawa was awarded the Kyoto Prize in Advanced Technology. This celebrated his significant impact on the development of electronic technologies through his pioneering work on conductive polymers, underscoring the continued relevance and pioneering nature of his research even decades later.

In May 2020, a memorial symposium was held in honor of Hideki Shirakawa's contributions to chemistry. The symposium gathered leading chemists and researchers to celebrate Shirakawa’s achievements and his influence on the field of materials science, particularly his transformative research on conductive polymers.