Honorary Fellows: Sir Richard Henry Friend
Richard Friend FRS, FREng is the Cavendish Professor of Physics at the University of Cambridge and a fellow of St.John's College with a world-renowned reputation for his research into the physics and engineering of carbon-based semiconductors.
Friend pioneered study of organic polymers and revolutionised the understanding of the electronic properties of molecular semiconductors. This research has enabled the use of these materials as active semiconductors in light-emitting diodes, photovoltaic diodes and field-effect transistors and has led to the commercial use of these materials, particularly in new display technology. He is co-founder of two University of Cambridge spin-out companies, Cambridge Display Technology and Plastic Logic.
Professor Friend was knighted for "Services to Physics" in the Queen's Birthday Honours List, 2003.
In 2008 Professor Sir Richard Friend was elected to Honorary Fellowship of the Institute of Physics for his pioneering research into organic polymer semiconductors and the successful exploitation of new technology through the companies Cambridge Display Technology and Plastic Logic.