MORRISVILLE, Pa.—For his contributions to "organosilicon materials and organometallic and biochemical reagents," Barry Arkles, CEO and founder of Gelest Inc., has been elected to the National Academy of Engineering.
The NAE is considered one of the most prestigious organizations in the engineering industry.
"Without question it is one of my great honors of my life to be elected to the academy," Arkles said. "Election to academy membership validates my life's work and the collective mission of Gelest and now MCC scientists to customize materials solutions that benefit society at large."
Masayuki Waga, Mitsubishi Chemical Corp. president and CEO, said he is proud of Arkles' achievements.
"Dr. Arkles' election to NAE membership recognizes the value of the characteristic hybrid chemicals technology he and Gelest have cultivated," Waga said. "Gelest's technology, led by Dr. Arkles, combines organic and inorganic chemistry and has great potential as an approach to various problems that could not be solved by organic or inorganic chemistry alone."
Arkles' contributions go beyond the professional community to the global public. He has achieved innovations in applied materials science, surface chemistry and biotechnology in medical devices, such as contact lenses and semiconductor fabrication.
According to the NAE, membership means an individual has contributed to "the pioneering of new and developing fields of technology, making major advancements in traditional fields of engineering, or developing/implementing innovative approaches to engineering education."
"Barry Arkles is a very rare combination of technical excellence, entrepreneurial acumen and research management expertise which was evident early in his career and has continued to date," said Robert D. Miller, academy member, IBM Emeritus at IBM Almaden Research Center and adjunct professor of material science and engineering at Stanford University. "Companies either founded or co-founded by Arkles currently generate nearly $1 billion in revenue."
Arkles founded Gelest in 1991. The company develops and manufactures silicon and metal-organic based chemicals and polymers for applications in microelectronics, opto-electronics, diagnostics, medical devices and pharmaceuticals.
