Edith Flanigen

Edith Flanigen, inducted into the National Inventors Hall of Fame in 2004, is a pioneering chemist renowned for her work with molecular sieves and zeolites, profoundly impacting various industries, including petroleum refining, environmental cleanup, and water purification. Zeolites, characterized by their uniform molecular-sized pores, serve diverse applications, from refining crude oil to purifying water and mitigating environmental contamination. Flanigen’s research at Union Carbide led to the creation of over 200 synthetic zeolites, including the notable zeolite Y, which revolutionized gasoline production through enhanced fluid catalytic cracking. Flanigen’s innovations also extended to synthetic emeralds, showcasing her versatility in chemistry.