Corning Glass Scientists Receive Awards at International Commission on Glass International Congress

SHANGHAI, CHINA – Two Corning glass scientists were recently recognized at the opening ceremony of the International Commission on Glass’ (ICG) 24th annual International Congress on Glass on April 8. Corporate Fellow Dr. Nicholas Borrelli is the first Corning recipient to be honored with the ICG President’s Award and Senior Glass Development Scientist Qiang Fu is the fourth Corning employee to receive the ICG’s Woldemar A. Weyl International Glass Science Award. Each of the awards is distributed by the ICG every three years.

Following is some additional information on the individual awards and winners.

Nick Borrelli

The ICG president’s award recognizes outstanding lifetime contributions to the international glass community in areas such as scientific discoveries, engineering developments, artistic accomplishments, leadership and communications.’  Nick joins 25 other distinguished winners since the award’s establishment in 1995.

“I’m deeply honored by this recognition but have always felt that scientific achievement is never an individual effort,” Nick said. “Therefore, I gratefully share this recognition with all the past and present Corning researchers whom have I have worked with over the course of my career.”

Nick joined Corning in 1962 and is widely recognized for his knowledge and expertise in the area of physics and the optics of glass and materials. Beginning in the early 1970’s, Nick utilized his theoretical materials expertise in the development of Corning’s first generation photochromic products. 

His initial work in this area helped establish the foundation for some of Corning’s highly profitable product lines including Photogray™ photochromic glass, Polarcor™ glass polarizers and Serengeti™ hydrogen-reduced photochromics.

“Even early on his career, Nick had a tremendous ability to apply his early stage research work to identify opportunities for the company to pursue,” said Dr. David Morse, executive vice president and chief technology officer.  “I’m thrilled that his commitment to innovation not only within Corning but within the global glass community is being recognized with this prestigious award.”

In addition to his success within the company, Nick also has a passion for sharing his knowledge. He was a mathematics professor at Elmira College for nearly twenty years and is one of the most highly published scientists in Corning’s history with 145 granted U.S. patents, more than 200 restricted internal technical reports,  and contributions to more than 400 external articles.

He also collaborated with a number of external institutions throughout his career which has proven invaluable to his research. “Although the perspectives of the two institutions can be quite different, it is in that difference that the value of collaboration exists,” he said.

Nick is the sole author of two books:  “Microoptics Technology: Fabrication and Applications of Lens Arrays and Devices” (in its second edition), and “Photosensitive Glass and Glass-Ceramics,” which is expected to come out in July of 2016.

Outside of Nick’s technical achievements, he’s spent a lot of time during the last few decades of his career mentoring and coaching many young and mid-level scientists within the technology community on the importance of applied research and early-stage product development.

“Nick was mentored by many famous Corning scientists in his early days with the company and he knows how valuable these relationships are,” said Dr. Gary Calabrese, senior vice president, Global Research. “He’s spent more than a half century helping to create life-changing products for the company – so there really isn’t a better teacher on Corning innovation than Nick.”

Qiang Fu

The Weyl Award recognizes ‘an outstanding young scientist working in glass research whose research and publications in the field of glass science shows ingenuity, initiative, and above all, innovative thinking.’ Qiang joins 14 other distinguished winners since the award’s establishment in 1976 and is the first Chinese person to receive this award.

“I am greatly honored to receive this prestigious award and I look forward to continuing collaborations in glass science with researchers both within and outside of Corning.”

Qiang is the fourth Corning employee to receive this honor. Dr. Peter Schultz (1977), Dr. Matthew Dejneka (2004) and Dr. John Mauro (2010) were previous recipients.

“The day I met Qiang, I recognized he was a special person with a passion and unique skill for discovery and development of new, complex materials,” said Dr. Jeffrey Kohli, Technology Director, Corning Glass Technologies Glass Development. “Qiang is not only a gifted individual, he is an exemplar of a collaborative scientist and I am truly delighted that the ICG committee recognized him with this award.”