http://news.in.msn.com/international/article.aspx?cp-documentid=5358624
Cambridge lab named after Cipla chairman Hamied
London, Aug 11 (PTI) A cutting-edge chemistry laboratory co-named after Dr Yusuf Hamied, chairman of Indian pharmaceuticals major Cipla, has been opened at the University of Cambridge.
The laboratory based in the Department of Chemistry is called Todd-Hamied laboratory. Todd refers to Prof Lord Alexander Todd, the Nobel Prize winning chemist and former Master of Christ''s College, a university statement said.
The laboratory will explore harnessing materials for energy storage and conversion in an effort to develop the next generation of batteries and fuel cells.
Prof Clare P Grey has been appointed director of the Todd-Hamied Laboratory.
Prof Grey said: "I''d like to thank Dr Hamied for his generous contribution to the laboratory, which has allowed us to convert an old, abandoned space into an impressive and well-designed modern laboratory. It is already allowing us to perform cutting edge science in materials chemistry and NMR spectroscopy."
Prof Grey''s particular focus among energy materials is on electrodes and electrolytes for lithium-ion batteries and fuel cells, the release added.
The lightweight and energy-dense materials used in lithium ion batteries have provided one of the most important recent breakthroughs in batteries used for consumer electronics, and are increasingly being considered by the automotive industry to power hybrid and electric vehicles, and for load levelling to manage the flow of electricity in a power grid.
Dr Hamied arrived at Christ''s College in 1954 from Bombay and graduated with a First in natural sciences. His company, Cipla Ltd, has played a key role in launching important drugs for the first time in India.
These include medicines to fight many diseases, ranging from asthma to cancer to AIDS.
He is also a Trustee of The Yusuf and Farida Hamied Foundation, a member of the Department of Chemistry Advisory Board, an Honorary Fellow of Christ''s College and has been a member of the Guild of Cambridge Benefactors since 2007. PTI PS
Comments