Dr. Brian Evans Conway was a world-renowned electrochemist and Emeritus Professor of Chemistry at the University of Ottawa who established himself as the dean of electrochemistry in Canada. Born on January 26, 1927 in Farnborough, England, he began his distinguished career at Imperial College, London University in 1946 at the age of 21, working in the research group of John O'M. Bockris. His career took a pivotal turn when he accepted an invitation from Professor K. J. Laidler to join the University of Ottawa, where he would remain for 49 years until his retirement. Conway's academic journey spanned five decades, during which he built one of North America's most respected electrochemistry research programs through his exceptional intellectual leadership and mentorship.
Professor Conway made seminal contributions to the fundamental understanding of electrode kinetics, particularly in hydrogen evolution and the early stages of metal oxidation processes. His research encompassed a remarkable breadth of topics including electrodics and ionics, polymer thermodynamics, high and low temperature electrochemical systems, and fundamental industrial applications across environmental and energy research domains. His theoretical work with John O'M. Bockris on the mechanism of electrodeposition became foundational to the field, with their collaborative research establishing principles that continue to guide modern electrochemical studies. Conway's nearly 450 publications directly enabled the development of rechargeable compact batteries and supercapacitors that power contemporary devices from cellular phones to laptop computers and radiocommunication systems.
Conway's legacy extends far beyond his own publications through his profound influence on generations of electrochemists worldwide, mentoring talented students including Gileadi, Kozlowski, Gilroy, Vijh, and many others who would themselves become prominent researchers. His legendary knowledge, exceptional memory, and extraordinary powers of reasoning were consistently noted by colleagues and students throughout his career at the University of Ottawa. The impact of his work continues to resonate through modern energy storage technologies and electrochemical research methodologies, with his contributions regularly cited in contemporary scientific literature. Even after his passing on July 9, 2005, Conway's theoretical frameworks remain essential references for both academic researchers and industrial scientists working in electrochemical energy conversion and storage technologies.
