- Malcolm Renfrew
-
Malcolm M. Renfrew Born October 12, 1910
Spokane, Washington,
United StatesResidence Moscow, Idaho Nationality 
United StatesFields Chemistry Institutions University of Idaho Alma mater University of Idaho
(B.S. 1932, M.S. 1934)
University of Minnesota
(Ph.D. 1938)Doctoral advisor George Glockler Known for Teflon Notable awards American Chemical Society
1985 Chemical Health
& Safety AwardMalcolm MacKenzie Renfrew (born October 12, 1910) is an American polymer chemist, inventor, and professor emeritus at the University of Idaho in the Moscow, Idaho. Renfrew Hall, the university's chemistry building, was named for him in 1985.[1]
He is noted for his contribution to the development of Teflon, including the first paper on the subject.[2] In 1946 he spoke on behalf of DuPont at the ACS meeting at which Teflon was announced.[3]
Contents
Early life
The son of an accountant, Renfrew was born October 12, 1910, in Spokane, Washington, and moved with his family at age 12 to Potlatch, Idaho, in 1923. He graduated from Potlatch High School in in 1928 and attended the University of Idaho in nearby Moscow, where he joined the Phi Gamma Delta fraternity and wrote for The Argonaut, the student newspaper. Originally interested in journalism, he switched his major to chemistry and graduated with a B.S. in 1932 and an M.S. in 1934.[4] He then traveled to the Midwest to continue his studies and earned a Ph.D. from the University of Minnesota in 1938.[5]
Career
Renfrew then worked for DuPont in New Jersey, where he produced a number of patents on polymethyl methacrylate, including one on photopolymerization,[6] material for tooth repair,[7] as well as epoxy resins[8] and the first method of synthesis of poly(tetrafluoroethylene) in a form which was suitable for the commercial production of Teflon.[9]
After further industrial experience with General Mills Company in Minneapolis and Spencer Kellogg & Sons in Buffalo, he returned west in 1959 to his alma mater to head the UI Department of Physical Science.[3] This was split into separate departments of physics and chemistry in 1967, with Renfrew as the Head of Chemistry, a position he retained until 1973; he retired in 1976 and became professor emeritus.[4]
Honors
In 1976 he was made a Fellow of the American Chemical Society. Well known for his research, Renfrew has been praised for his work on chemical safety and as an educator, both recognized in the ACS 1985 Chemical Health and Safety Award for "his publications and column on Chemical Safety in the Journal of Chemical Education". In 2006 he received the Distinguished Science Communicator award.[10]
Renfrew is also an accomplished artist: an exhibition of his paintings was held in Moscow City Hall in November–December 2010.[11]
His 100th birthday, October 12, 2010, was declared as "Malcolm M. Renfrew Day" in the State of Idaho by Governor Butch Otter.[12]
Part of the celebration was the rededication of Renfrew Hall, the chemistry building named for him a quarter century earlier. Opened in 1965 as the Physical Sciences Building ("Phy-Sci"), it was renamed "Renfrew Hall" in October 1985 for his 75th birthday.[13]Personal
Shortly after gaining his doctorate, he married Carol Joy Campbell (September 19, 1913 – January 12, 2010), on June 26, 1938. She was a 1935 B.S. economics graduate of the University of Idaho from Rosalia, Washington; at the time of her death at age 96, they had been married for over 71 years.[10][14]
Renfrew is an Elder of the Presbyterian Church and plays the trombone.[15]
External links
- University of Idaho - Give to Idaho - photo of Malcolm and Carol Renfrew
- Renfrews - photo of Carol and Malcolm Renfrew
- potlatchblogspot - visit with Malcolm Renfrew
- boltonsociety.net - Oral History: Malcolm Renfrew
- Chemical Heritage Foundation Malcolm M. Renfrew
- University of Idaho - College of Science - Malcom Renfrew turns 100
- Here We Have Idaho - Spring 2011 - "Mr. Chemistry Celebrates A Century" - p. 6-11
References
- ^ University of Idaho, Dept of Chemistry
- ^ Renfrew, M. M and Lewis E. E. (1946) Journal of Industrial and Engineering Chemistry Vol 38, 870-7 Polytetrafluorethylene: heat-resistant, chemically inert plastic
- ^ a b www.boltonsociety.net Oral history: Malcolm Renfrew
- ^ a b University of Idaho Alumni Hall of Fame Award Winners - 1977
- ^ Minnesota Chemists Newsletter Spring 1985 page 9
- ^ M. M. Renfrew (1948) US Patent 2448828 Photopolymerization
- ^ M. M. Renfrew (1943) US Patent 2335133 Tooth Reconstruction
- ^ M. M. Renfrew & H. Wittcoff (1955) US Patent 2705223 Thermosetting resinous compositions from epoxy resins and polyamides derived from polymeric fat acids
- ^ Malcolm M. Renfrew (1950) US Patent 2534058 Polymerization of tetrafluoroethylene with dibasic acid peroxide catalysts This is cited by many other subsequent patents
- ^ a b Journal of the University of Idaho 1 Dec 2006
- ^ City of Moscow Arts Dept Third Street Gallery Celebrating 100 Years - Malcom Renfrew
- ^ University of Idaho News release, October 11, 2010 Celebrating a Century
- ^ University of Idaho - College of Science - Malcom Renfrew turns 100 - October 2010
- ^ Moscow-Pullman Daily News online Jan 16, 2010, Obituary: Carol J. Campbell Renfrew
- ^ Moscow Renaissance Fair 2001 Malcolm and Carol Renfrew
Categories:- American chemists
- American inventors
- University of Idaho alumni
- University of Minnesota alumni
- People from Moscow, Idaho
- People from Spokane, Washington
- American centenarians
- 1910 births
- Living people
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