A. P. de Silva
Amilra Prasanna de Silva | |
|---|---|
| Born | 1952 Colombo, Sri Lanka |
| Occupation(s) | Chemist, Professor |
| Known for | Development of molecular logic gates and fluorescent photo-sensors |
| Awards | Fellow of the Royal Society of Chemistry (FRSC), RSC de Gennes Prize (2008), Royal Irish Academy Gold Medal (2011), RSC Sensor Award (2016) |
Professor Amilra Prasanna de Silva FRSC (born 1952) is a British chemist of Sri Lankan origin, distinguished for his groundbreaking work in the development of molecular logic gates and fluorescent photo-sensors. His contributions have significantly advanced the fields of chemical sensing, molecular information processing, and medical diagnostics.
Early life and education
Born in 1952 in Colombo, Sri Lanka, De Silva completed his undergraduate studies in chemistry at the University of Colombo. He pursued doctoral studies at Queen’s University Belfast under the mentorship of Professor D. G. Brown, concentrating on photochemistry and supramolecular recognition.
Academic career
After earning his PhD, De Silva joined the faculty at Queen’s University Belfast, where he ultimately attained the position of Professor of Chemistry. His research group investigated photoinduced electron transfer (PET) mechanisms involved in molecular signalling and sensing applications.
In 1993, De Silva co-published a seminal article in Nature presenting the inaugural molecular photo-ionic AND logic gate. This work laid the groundwork for the field of molecular logic-based computation.
Research contributions
De Silva’s scientific endeavors focus on three principal domains:
- Fluorescent molecular sensors — He pioneered the fluorophore–spacer–receptor architecture employing PET to regulate fluorescence upon binding ions or protons, facilitating highly selective fluorescent sensors.
- Molecular logic and computation — He introduced Boolean logic principles into chemical systems; his 2013 book Molecular Logic-based Computation provides a comprehensive overview of this discipline.
- Biomedical diagnostics — His sensor technologies have been translated into industrial applications, including fluorescent probes utilized for blood electrolyte measurement in clinical settings.
His subsequent research extended to fluorescence imaging within living cells and tissues, enabling dynamic biological monitoring and early detection of diseases.
Awards and honours
De Silva’s achievements have been acknowledged by prominent professional organizations:
- Fellow of the Royal Society of Chemistry (FRSC)
- Recipient of the RSC de Gennes Prize for Materials Chemistry in 2008
- Awarded the Royal Irish Academy Gold Medal in Chemical Sciences in 2011
- Honoured with the RSC Sensor Award in 2016
In 2024, Queen’s University Belfast commemorated his contributions with a blue plaque, designating his work as a National Chemical Landmark.
Legacy
De Silva’s pioneering research has profoundly influenced chemistry, photophysics, and information science. By demonstrating that molecules can execute information processing through chemical and photonic stimuli, he established foundational principles for molecular photonics, molecular computing, and chemosensor innovation.