Person

Higgins, Huntly Gordon (1917 - 2011)

FTSE

Born
8 January 1917
Perth, Western Australia, Australia
Died
16 December 2011
Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
Occupation
Paper physicist

Summary

Huntly Higgins was a paper physicist who undertook groundbreaking studies of thermo- and chemithermomechanical pulping to give higher quality mechanical pulp fibres. In his early work for the R.A.A.F. Meteorological Office he worked on frontal development that had application in predicting thunderstorms and on katabatic winds in relation to prediction of tropical cyclones. On joining CSIRO his focus turned to identified factors affecting strength and stability of Australian woods, and adhesives used in plywood manufacture. On being appointed in 1953 as head of the new paper physics section Higgins worked on the properties of lignin, the mechanisms of fibre bonding, and the improvement of the quality of wood pulps. His knowledge of fibre separation assisted divisional work on the replacement of asbestos by cellulose fibres. With the formation of the CSIRO Division of Chemical Technology Higgins was initially in charge of the renewable resources program, and from 1979 was Chief of the Division. His expertise in forest resources led to involvement in aid programs in developing countries including India, Papua New Guinea, Malaysia Guyana.

Details

Chronology

1939
Education - Bachelor of Science (BSc), University of Western Australia
1941 - 1945
Career position - Flight Lieutenant, R.A.A.F. Meteorological Office
1945 - 1971
Career position - Research Scientist, CSIRO Division of Forest Products
1962
Award - Doctor of Science (DSc), honoris causa, University of Melbourne
1966 - 2011
Career position - Fellow, Royal Australian Chemical Institute
1967 - 1968
Career position - President, Australasian Pulp And Paper Industry Technical Association (Appita)
1969 - 1971
Career position - Chairman, Technical Division, Appita
1970 - 1972
Career position - President, International Association of Scientific Papermakers
1973 - 1979
Career position - Assistant Chief, CSIRO Division of Chemical Technology
1976 - 1987
Award - Fellow, Australian Academy of Technological Sciences (FTS)
1977
Award - L. R. Benjamin Medal, Appita
1979 - 1982
Career position - Chief, CSIRO Division of Chemical Technology
1979 - 2011
Career position - Fellow, International Academy of Wood Sciences
1982 - 2003
Career position - Honorary Fellow, CSIRO Division of Forestry and Forest Products
1983 - 2011
Award - Honorary Life Member, Appita
1987
Award - Fellow, Australian Academy of Technological Sciences and Engineering (FTSE) [Awarded by AATS 1976]
1990 - 2011
Career position - Senior Associate, University of Melbourne
2001
Award - Centenary Medal - for service to Australian society in cellulose and paper technology.

Related Corporate Bodies

Published resources

Journal Articles

  • Michell, Tony and Wallis, Adrian, 'Members Obituary: Huntly Higgins: Authority on Paper Science', Chemistry in Australia, 79 (Dec.) (2012), 17. Details
  • Mitchell, Tony and Wallis, Adrian, 'Huntly Gordon Higgins 1917 - 2011', Appita Journal, 165 (2) (2012), 112. Details

Newspaper Articles

  • Hewertson, Warren, 'Key role with forest resources', The Age (2011), 35. Details

Helen Cohn

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