Professor Matthew Ayorinde of the Department of Chemistry at the Federal University of Technology, Akure (FUTA), has been awarded the NAS Gold Medal by the Nigerian Academy of Science (NAS).

This was announced in a statement by the Chairman, Sonny Kuku and the Executive Secretary of NAS Science Prize Committee, Oladoyin Okubanjo.

His research focused on water treatment using adsorption, coagulation/flocculation and photodegradation processes.

The statement reads, “The NAS Gold Medal was instituted by the Academy in 2016, to be awarded to deserving Nigerian scientists who have made significant achievements (of national relevance and global resonance) in science.

“The award is made annually, alternating between Life and Physical Sciences, and consists of a medal, a certificate, and a purse. The 2024 award is in Physical Sciences,” the organisers said.

“Professor Adebayo is an astute researcher whose area of research has been in material science, water treatment, corrosion technology as well as environmental and applied Chemistry. Professor Adebayo’s research has focused on water treatment using adsorption, coagulation/flocculation and photodegradation processes.

“He has researched widely on the development of low-cost green materials, and composites, for remediation of organic dyes from water. The developed materials were effective for the decontamination of dye-laden wastewater (both simulated wastewater and spiked solutions).

“The work of Prof. Adebayo and his collaborators have significantly contributed to knowledge by providing relevant information for stakeholders and industries on the conversion of biomass and other materials into adsorptive materials for effective wastewater decontamination.

“The presence of nitrate beyond permissible limit in water constitutes a danger to human health; hence, Professor Adebayo and his team converted elephant grass (biomass) into biochars at different prolytic temperature and the biochars samples efficiently removed nitrates ions from simulated water.

“Professor Matthew Ayorinde Adebayo would receive the Award from the Academy on the 22nd of January 2025, during the Sixth NAS Annual Scientific Conference in Abuja, Nigeria.”

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