Science: Nichols Medalist

Dr. Hugh Stott Taylor of Princeton University, in the opinion of his chemist-colleagues, has been engaged in research which was the “most original,” and the “most stimulating to further research.” Accordingly, he received last week the Nichols Medal, coveted by all chemists. Industrial problems had suggested to Dr. Taylor the study of catalytic agents—those substances which accelerate, retard, or even cause chemical change, while remaining themselves unchanged. Catalytic agents are used to vulcanize rubber. Chemist Taylor’s experiments have been with substances which prevent rubber from rotting, dyed materials from fading, oil from becoming rancid.