Margaret M. Wu

Margaret May-som Shaw Wu (born June 28, 1950) is a Taiwanese–American industrial chemist and inventor. As a research chemist at ExxonMobil, Wu developed new lubricants for car engines. She was elected Fellow of the National Inventors Hall of Fame in 2020.

Margaret May-som Shaw Wu
Born (1950-07-28) July 28, 1950
Taipei
Alma materNational Taipei University of Technology
University of Rochester
Scientific career
InstitutionsMobil
American Cyanamid
ThesisPhotochemistry of cycloalkylacetones (1976)

Early life and education

Wu was born in Taipei, Taiwan.[1][2] Her father was a meteorologist.[2] She earned her bachelor's degree in chemical engineering at the National Taipei University of Technology. She moved to the United States for her doctoral research, and joined the department of chemistry at the University of Rochester.[3] She has said that New York City represents the best parts of America. Her friends helped her to overcome language barriers.[2] After earning her doctorate, Wu joined American Cyanamid where she spent a year as a research chemist.[4][5]

Research and career

In 1977 Wu joined Mobil,[5] where she worked on polymer synthesis, catalysis and zeolite chemistry.[4] She developed new strategies to produce ethylene from methanol at high yields.[4] A few years later, she switched her focus to synthetic oils.[4] These fluids were used in automotive engine oil, reducing wear and helping fuel economy.[4] She started working on polyalpha-olefin (PAOs),[6] which were used in synthetic lubricants. The PAOs had no undesirable side chains, and had more desirable properties as a lubricant. Her efforts were recognized by the American Chemical Society, who named her their 2007 Industrial Chemist of the Year.[4][7][8] She was the first woman to be made a Senior Scientific Advisor at ExxonMobil.[9]

Wu retired in 2009 and remained as a consultant until 2016.[2] She was inducted into the National Academy of Engineering in 2019,[10] and the National Inventors Hall of Fame in 2020.[11]

References
  1. "First in Taiwan, Margaret Wu elected inductee of NIHF – National Taipei University of Technology". www-en.ntut.edu.tw. Retrieved January 2, 2023.
  2. "10 Things You Need to Know About Margaret Wu" (PDF).
  3. "Dr. Margaret M. Wu –". Retrieved January 2, 2023.
  4. "Margaret Wu receives industrial chemistry award from national ACS" (PDF). The Indicator. 2007.
  5. "Retired Senior Scientific Advisor at ExxonMobil Research and Engineering Co".
  6. "Asian Pacific Heritage Month – Honoring Margaret Wu – Fletcher Yoder". Retrieved January 2, 2023.
  7. "Margaret Wu Receives 2007 Industrial Chemistry Award from National ACS | North Jersey Section – American Chemical Society". January 1, 2008. Retrieved January 2, 2023.
  8. "ACS-Award-Industrial-Chemistry – C&EN". cen.acs.org. Retrieved January 2, 2023.
  9. Benedict, Emilie (April 5, 2019). "Margaret Wu: Breaking barriers". Energy Factor. Retrieved January 2, 2023.
  10. "Taipei Tech Alumna Dr. Margaret M. Wu Elected NAE Member – National Taipei University of Technology". www-en.ntut.edu.tw. Retrieved January 2, 2023.
  11. "Margaret Wu | The National Inventors Hall of Fame". www.invent.org. Retrieved January 2, 2023.
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