Honoring the Architects of Tomorrow's Materials
In the intricate world of materials science, where researchers manipulate matter at the molecular level to create substances with extraordinary properties, the Donald R. Ulrich Award represents the highest distinction for a young scientist.
Bestowed biennially by the International Sol-Gel Society (ISGS), this award recognizes outstanding contributions to the field of sol-gel science and technology. The 2015 award continued this tradition of excellence, spotlighting a researcher whose innovative work promises to shape the future of technology, from electronics to energy solutions.
Awarded every two years to exceptional young scientists in sol-gel research
Recognizes contributions that advance materials science and technology
Honors scientists under 35 who demonstrate exceptional promise
To appreciate the significance of the Ulrich Award, one must first understand the fascinating realm of sol-gel science. Imagine constructing an intricate building not by assembling pre-made bricks, but by carefully guiding molecules to self-assemble into a perfect, porous structure. This is the essence of the sol-gel process.
Creation of a colloidal suspension of solid particles in a liquid
Controlled chemical reactions transform the sol into a gelatinous network
Liquid is carefully removed, often through supercritical drying
Result is an intricate solid with a highly porous, sponge-like structure
Aerogels can be up to 99.8% air while maintaining remarkable structural integrity and thermal properties 2
Celebrating Dr. Go Kawamura's Innovations
Dr. Go Kawamura
Toyohashi University of Technology
Japan
2003
In 2015, the International Sol-Gel Society conferred the prestigious Donald R. Ulrich Award upon Dr. Go Kawamura, an Assistant Professor in the Department of Electrical and Electronic Information Engineering at Toyohashi University of Technology in Japan 7 .
The award, granted every two years, is specifically designed to honor young researchers under the age of 35 who have demonstrated distinguished achievement in sol-gel science and technology 2 7 .
Traditional aerogels, while possessing incredible properties, are often brittle and fragile. Dr. Kanamori's team sought to overcome this limitation by creating a transparent, robust aerogel with a unique "spring-back" behavior, using methyltrimethoxysilane (MTMS) as a single precursor 2 .
| Property | Description | Significance |
|---|---|---|
| Mechanical Behavior | Elastic, sponge-like compression | Enables practical handling and applications in compression |
| Transparency | Optically transparent | Opens uses in windows, displays, and optical sensors |
| Drying Method | Ambient pressure drying | Reduces production cost and complexity |
| Density | Very low | Maintains the classic ultra-lightweight property of aerogels |
Table 1: Characteristic properties of MTMS-based aerogels demonstrating improved mechanical resilience 2
"The team successfully produced the first reported transparent aerogels derived solely from MTMS, exhibiting unique 'spring-back' behavior that allows compression and return to original shape, unlike conventional brittle aerogels 2 ."
Creating advanced materials via the sol-gel process requires a precise set of chemical tools. The following reagents are fundamental to the field and were central to the groundbreaking work of Ulrich Award winners.
| Reagent | Function in the Sol-Gel Process |
|---|---|
| Alkoxide Precursors | The molecular building blocks (e.g., silicon, titanium, or aluminum alkoxides) that undergo hydrolysis and condensation to form the solid oxide network. |
| Solvents (e.g., Ethanol) | Dissolve the precursors to create a homogeneous "sol" and provide a medium for the chemical reactions. |
| Catalysts (e.g., Acids or Bases) | Control the rates of the hydrolysis and condensation reactions, which in turn determines the final material's pore size and structure. |
| Surfactants | Act as templating agents to guide the formation of ordered mesoporous structures with specific pore sizes and geometries 2 . |
| Silane Coupling Agents | Used to create organic-inorganic hybrid materials, imparting flexibility, new chemical functions, or compatibility with other materials 2 . |
Table 2: Essential reagents in sol-gel research that enable precise control over material properties and structure
The award is more than a prize; it is a tribute to its namesake, Prof. Dr. Donald R. Ulrich. From 1975 to 1990, he was a senior Program Manager and Deputy Director at the Air Force Office of Scientific Research, where his vision and management established major new initiatives in chemically synthesized materials 2 8 .
His work had a worldwide impact and helped shape the sol-gel field as it is known today 2 . The award, generously supported by his wife, Mrs. Eleanor Ulrich, ensures that his legacy of innovation and excellence continues to inspire new generations 2 8 .
The story of the 2015 Donald R. Ulrich Award is a snapshot of a continuously evolving scientific frontier. From Dr. Kawamura's electronic materials to the resilient aerogels of other laureates, sol-gel science continues to be a cornerstone of modern materials engineering.
As new winners emerge—like Professor Bin Cai, the 2024 awardee, who is pioneering hierarchical aerogels and solid-state gelation 4 —they build upon the foundation of curiosity and rigor that defines this field.
Their work promises a future where materials are not merely found or mined, but are intelligently designed atom-by-atom, opening possibilities we are only beginning to imagine.