Sir Richard Henry Friend stands as a preeminent figure in the field of advanced semiconductor materials and device physics. He held the prestigious Cavendish Professorship of Physics at the University of Cambridge from 1995 until 2020, a position that places him among the most distinguished physicists in the United Kingdom. Educated at Rugby School and Trinity College, Cambridge, he earned his PhD in 1979 under the supervision of Abe Yoffe, establishing the foundation for his groundbreaking research career. Currently, he serves as Tan Chin Tuan Centennial Professor at the National University of Singapore while maintaining strong connections to Cambridge as a Fellow of St. John's College. His academic journey began when he joined the Department of Physics at Cambridge in 1980, marking the start of his influential career in semiconductor research.
Professor Friend pioneered the study of organic polymers and the electronic properties of molecular semiconductors, fundamentally transforming the landscape of semiconductor technology. His research has been instrumental in developing polymer field effect transistors, light-emitting diodes, photovoltaic diodes, and directly printed polymer transistors that now form the basis of numerous commercial applications. Most notably, his foundational work on organic light-emitting diodes OLED displays has revolutionized display technology, with these devices now ubiquitous in smartphones and other electronic devices worldwide. The Institute for Scientific Information identified him as the most cited physics scientist in the UK for the decade 1990 1999, with approximately 39,000 citations to his name, reflecting the profound impact of his research across multiple disciplines. His co-authorship of over 1,000 publications underscores his sustained contribution to advancing semiconductor science.
Beyond his scientific contributions, Sir Richard has been a driving force in translating academic research into practical applications through co-founding Cambridge Display Technology and Plastic Logic, demonstrating his commitment to bridging the gap between laboratory discoveries and commercial products. His current research focuses on advancing organic and perovskite based solar cell technologies, seeking to develop more efficient and cost-effective alternatives to traditional silicon photovoltaics in response to global climate challenges. As Chairman of the Scientific Advisory Board of the National Research Foundation of Singapore, he continues to shape national research priorities and foster international scientific collaboration. With his extensive research facilities for thin film structures and advanced characterization techniques, he remains at the forefront of developing next generation semiconductor technologies. His vision for implementing new technologies to address climate change by 2050 positions him as a critical leader in sustainable electronics research for the coming decades.
