Obituary: Dr Roy J. Plunkett

Dr Roy J. Plunkett, polymer chemist, died Corpus Christi, Texas, 12 May, aged 83. Discovered 'Teflon', or polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) resin, while investigating the results of a failed experiment, in 1938. The material proved to be uniquely slippery, and inert to most chemicals - it has been used in aerospace, communications, electronics, industry and architecture, as well as for a non-stick coating on cookware.