In 2008, 18 candidates from the most famous universities in the world, nominated by internationally renowned scientists competed for the first ever Rhodia - Pierre Gilles de Gennes Prize for Science and Industry.

The Rhodia- Pierre Gilles de Gennes Prize 2008 for Science and Industry was awarded to Professor Sir Richard Friend for his discoveries in electroluminescence and charges injection into semiconducting polymers.

The work carried out by Sir Richard Friend established the existence of semi-conducting and luminescence effects in conjugated polymers. Sir Richard also developed real applications for these phenomena up to and including production and marketing within product development structures that he himself had helped to create.

This led to the development of organic and polymer systems that provide potential realistic alternatives to the systems conventionally used in electronic applications based on crystals, silicon or inorganic materials. It will be possible to use these systems as basic transistor components in electronic circuits, in light emitting diodes for lighting and display purposes and photovoltaic applications for plastic solar panels.

Consequently, Sir Richard Friend has become one of the pioneers in the development of plastic electronics for the creation of flexible electronic screens, a technology that has already been exploited in telephones and wrist-watches.