Norman Bruce Hannay (February 9, 1921 – June 2, 1996) was an American physical chemist who was vice-president of

Bell Telephone Laboratories Nokia Bell Labs, originally named Bell Telephone Laboratories (1925–1984), then AT&T Bell Laboratories (1984–1996) and Bell Labs Innovations (1996–2007), is an American industrial research and scientific development company owned by mul ...

. He was born in

Mount Vernon, Washington Mount Vernon is the county seat of Skagit County, Washington, Skagit County, Washington (state), Washington, United States. The population was 35,219 at the 2020 United States census, 2020 census. It is one of two principal cities of and include ...

state. He studied chemistry and was awarded a B.A. in chemistry by

Swarthmore College Swarthmore College ( , ) is a Private college, private Liberal arts colleges in the United States, liberal arts college in Swarthmore, Pennsylvania. Founded in 1864, with its first classes held in 1869, Swarthmore is one of the earliest coeduca ...

(1942) and a Ph.D. in physical chemistry by

Princeton University Princeton University is a private university, private research university in Princeton, New Jersey. Founded in 1746 in Elizabeth, New Jersey, Elizabeth as the College of New Jersey, Princeton is the List of Colonial Colleges, fourth-oldest ins ...

(1944). His entire career was spent at Bell Chemical Laboratories, where he was a research chemist (1942–1960), chemical director (1960–1967), executive director, research, material science and engineering from 1967 to 1973, and finally vice-president, research and patents from 1973 to 1982. During his career he led research into semiconductors, superconductors, lasers and other related electronics. He was elected a member of the

National Academy of Sciences The National Academy of Sciences (NAS) is a United States nonprofit, non-governmental organization. NAS is part of the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine, along with the National Academy of Engineering (NAE) and the Nati ...

and a fellow of the

American Academy of Arts and Sciences The American Academy of Arts and Sciences (abbreviation: AAA&S) is one of the oldest learned societies in the United States. It was founded in 1780 during the American Revolution by John Adams, John Hancock, James Bowdoin, Andrew Oliver, and ...

. He edited a series of volumes entitled ''Treatise on Solid State Chemistry''. He died of pneumonia in 1996, he lived in

Port Ludlow, Washington Port Ludlow is an unincorporated community and census-designated place (CDP) in Jefferson County, Washington, United States. It is also the name of the marine inlet on which the community is located. The CDP's population was 2,603 at the 2010 ce ...

, was married to his wife Joan and had two daughters.

Honors and awards

*1976 Acheson Medal of the

Electrochemical Society The Electrochemical Society is a learned society (professional association) based in the United States that supports scientific inquiry in the field of electrochemistry and solid-state science and related technology. The Society membership compris ...

*1983

Perkin Medal The Perkin Medal is an award given annually by the Society of Chemical Industry (American Section) to a scientist residing in America for an "innovation in applied chemistry resulting in outstanding commercial development." It is considered the h ...

of the

Society of Chemical Industry The Society of Chemical Industry (SCI) is a learned society set up in 1881 "to further the application of chemistry and related sciences for the public benefit". Offices The society's headquarters is in Belgrave Square, London. There are semi-in ...

*1986

American Institute of Chemists Gold Medal The American Institute of Chemists Gold Medal is the highest award of the American Institute of Chemists and has been awarded since 1926. It is presented annually to a person who has most encouraged the science of chemistry or the profession of ...

References

{{DEFAULTSORT:Hannay, Norman Bruce 1921 births 1996 deaths People from Port Ludlow, Washington People from Mount Vernon, Washington Swarthmore College alumni Princeton University alumni American physical chemists Fellows of the American Academy of Arts and Sciences Members of the United States National Academy of Sciences Fellows of the American Physical Society Presidents of the Electrochemical Society 20th-century American chemists Chemists from Washington (state)