Chemist who put red and green in OLED screens named to engineering academy

One of the United States’ most acclaimed professional organizations for engineers recently elected its newest members, and Mark Thompson, professor of chemistry and chemical engineering and materials science at USC Dornsife College of Letters, Arts and Sciences, was among those named.

Membership in the National Academy of Engineering (NAE) honors those who have made outstanding contributions to engineering research, practice or education and to the pioneering of new and developing fields of technology, making major advancements in traditional fields of engineering, or developing/implementing innovative approaches to engineering education.

Thompson, who holds the Ray R. Irani, Chairman of Occidental Petroleum Corporation, Chair in Chemistry, was elected in recognition of his “development of highly efficient electrophosphorescent materials for organic light emitting devices used in displays and lighting worldwide,” according to the academy.

Thompson, who also is an elected member of the National Academy of Inventors, has undertaken pioneering research used in the manufacture of organic LED (OLED) displays, which many smartphones, televisions and other devices use. OLED displays are much lighter and more energy efficient than traditional LED displays. He continues to work to improve OLED technologies, aiming to make their manufacture more sustainable by replacing rare materials with those that are more abundant.

He said being an NAE member, while an honor, comes with significant responsibility.

The academy often calls upon members to undertake or guide studies “of interest for research, public policy and other related topics,” he said. “The reports and studies that the NAE produces are some of the most respected, insightful and useful ones produced. The NAE is also responsible for promoting educational goals and inspiring the next generation of scientists and engineers.”

Thompson said he was grateful to the academy for recognizing “that the work my students, postdocs and I have done has real value and is recognized as being some of the best work in the world.”

Thompson, who holds a joint appointment at the USC Viterbi School of Engineering, has received numerous awards, including the Nichizawa Medal and the Photonics Award from the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers, the American Chemical Society Award in Chemistry of Materials and an American Association for the Advancement of Science Fellowship.

The National Academy of Engineering will formally induct Thompson at its annual meeting in Washington, D.C., on Oct. 4.