Paul O'Brien

Education O'Brien was educated at Cardinal Langley Grammar School in Middleton, Greater Manchester and the University of Liverpool where he was awarded a Bachelor of Science degree in 1975. He went on to complete a PhD at University College, Cardiff in 1978

Research O'Brien was an inorganic materials scientist focusing on developing new chemical processes for manufacturing thin films and nanoparticles. Amongst these are chemical vapour deposition techniques for compounds containing sulphur or selenium, and a very simple method for making quantum dots – semiconductor nanocrystals that show quantum behaviour.

He collaborated on projects with physicists, computer scientists and electronic and electrical engineers. His interest in the toxicity of metal ions led to collaborations and publications with toxicologists, pharmacists and clinicians.

O'Brien was passionate about international development and over two decades he worked tirelessly to encourage excellence in teaching and learning across Africa, with very strong ties to the University of Zululand.

Awards and honours O'Brien's awards include the Kroll Award, the Institute of Materials, Minerals and Mining (IOM3)'s Sir Colin Humphreys Award (for outreach) and Platinum Medal, the Society of Dyers and Colourists (SDC) Gold Medal, the RSC's first Peter Day Award, and honorary degrees from the University of Zululand, the University of Liverpool and the University of Aveiro. O'Brien was elected a Fellow of the Royal Society (FRS) in 2013, his certificate of election reads:

In 2016, O'Brien was appointed a Commander of the Most Excellent Order of the British Empire (CBE) in the 2016 New Year Honours for services to science and engineering, received the RSC Longstaff Prize and was elected a Fellow of the Royal Academy of Engineering (FREng).

He was elected as a member of the Academia Europaea in 2018.