A UNIVERSITY of York scientist whose work helped form the basis for flat-screen TVs, computers and mobile phone displays has won AkzoNobel’s UK Science Award for 2014.

Professor John Goodby, chair of materials chemistry at the University of York, was today due to receive the honour and a £50,000 prize during a ceremony being held at the Royal Society of Chemistry in London.

Having spent almost a decade of his 40-year career at Bell Laboratories in the US – home of seven Nobel Laureates – Prof Goodby has been recognised for his outstanding contributions to materials chemistry in the field of liquid crystals and soft matter.

“I would like to pay tribute to all of my colleagues and students past and present, as well as my fellow academics at the University of York, who have made this scientific journey so exciting, memorable and enjoyable,” he said.

“The relatively short time span between the invention of commercial LCDs in the 1970s and their current market dominance has required a huge effort by scientists and engineers from many disciplines, demonstrating the critical importance of multidisciplinary research.”