DuPont Announces 2004 Honorees of Science Excellence

WILMINGTON, Del.,  April 06, 2004  —  DuPont today announced the recipients of the Lavoisier Medal for Technical Achievement – presented each year to DuPont scientists and engineers who have made outstanding contributions to their fields.

The 2004 awardees are Dr. Edmund A. Flexman, senior technology fellow in DuPont Engineering Polymers; Dr. Michael Fryd, retired DuPont Fellow for DuPont Performance Coatings; and Thomas L. Nelson, retired senior research associate in the company's fibers businesses.

"These researchers have built on a proud legacy and through their contributions inspire the scientists who will usher in the next wave of innovation," said DuPont Chief Science and Technology Officer Dr. Thomas M. Connelly.

Flexman, a researcher at the DuPont Experimental Station in Wilmington, Del., has been with DuPont since 1963. His discoveries were important to the commercial success of DuPont™ Zytel® ST ("super tough") nylon resin and DuPont™ Delrin® ST polyacetal resin. These tough plastic resins have replaced metal in products ranging from sporting goods to automotive parts. During the 1990s, Flexman invented flexible Zytel® DMX nylon blend resins that are used in automotive connectors and electronics.

Fryd, who joined DuPont in 1965, has spent his entire 37-year career at Marshall Laboratory in Philadelphia, Pa. His research influenced development of Lucite® dispersion lacquers for automotive coatings and cobalt chain transfer technology for preparing waterborne pigment dispersants for base-coat automotive coatings and refinishes. Fryd developed technology for a broad array of other products as well including inkjet systems, DuPont™ Cyrel® flexographic printing plates and DuPont™ Pyralux® adhesive coatings for flexible circuits.

Nelson, who started as a technician in the DuPont Engineering Department in 1954, retired from DuPont as a senior research associate in 1991. He worked at the Experimental Station and at Seaford, Del. Nelson developed air-interlacing technology for synthetic fibers, which revolutionized nylon and DuPont™ Dacron® polyester production. The process increased yarn speeds 50-fold and is used by fiber plants all over the world. He is a champion of creativity and professional development.

The Lavoisier Medal is named in honor of Antoine Lavoisier, the father of modern chemistry, who mentored the founder of the company, E.I. du Pont, over 200 years ago. This year's recipients will be honored at the Science Excellence Ceremony on June 18 at the DuPont Theatre in Wilmington.

DuPont is a science company. Founded in 1802, DuPont puts science to work by solving problems and creating solutions that make people's lives better, safer and easier. Operating in more than 70 countries, the company offers a wide range of products and services to markets including agriculture, nutrition, electronics, communications, safety and protection, home and construction, transportation and apparel.

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04/06/04

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