The Experimental Station is the place where new products and ideas are created. Located in Wilmington, Delaware, it is characterized not only for being one of the first research and development facilities of DuPont, but also for its peculiar university life style.
Since 1903, some of the most relevant discoveries and inventions of DuPont have been made here, for example, neoprene, nylon, Lycra® elastomer; non-wovens such as the thermobonded olefin Tyvek®; the solid surfaces DuPont® Corian®, Suva® refrigerants, and advanced Nomex® fibers.
The Experimental Station encloses one of the highest DuPont prides, which is that among top scientists who have walked down its aisles, is Charles Pedersen (1904-1989), who worked in DuPont for 42 years. He discovered a class of chemical compounds known as “crown ethers,” and received the Nobel Prize on 1987. These compounds opened doors for new research on the body recognition and assimilation of certain proteins...
Stephanie L. Kwolek (1923 -…) worked hard in DuPont for 36 years, and developed the first liquid crystal polymer which would later be the aramidic fiber Kevlar®, which is currently used to manufacture bullet-proof vests. Kwolek received the US National Technology Medal on 1996, participated in 17 patents, and today performs as consultant and adviser for new generations of scientists in the DuPont Experimental Station.
Another remarkable scientist in DuPont columns is George Levitt, who discovered the sulphonilureas on 1975, chemical substances environmental friendly, currently used as herbicides
This important scientific development center covering 60 hectares and harboring almost 2,000 scientists and technicians, who are finding solutions based on science, with special emphasis on nanotechnology, alternative energy sources, image reproduction emerging technologies, and biologic materials produced with renewable resources such as corn. These products may results in the creation of healthier food, eventually preventing cancer and bones fragility; “intelligent” materials adjusting their own performance; microorganisms synthesizing biodegradable products, and materials strengthening personal protection.
With no doubt, DuPont is proud of the Experimental Station. In more than 100 years, there have been not only relevant scientific developments improving people’s life quality, but we have only been able to adapt to the changing market conditions, which has made us one of the most innovating companies of the world.
