Progress in Organic Coatzngs, I9 (1991) 281-282

Special Notice

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In Memoriam

Keqjiro Meguro (1927-1991)

Professor Kemiro Meguro died on March 1, 1991, in Tokyo, Japan. Professor Meguro was the Dean of Faculty of Science at the Science University of Tokyo. He was born on January 13, 1927 as a second son and grew up in Kanda, Tokyo. He never left Tokyo except for his bachelor’s degree in Chemistry at Osaka University.

After receiving a bachelor’s degree, he started to teach chemistry at Musashi High School and at the same time to do research on surface and colloid chemistry at Nazu Chemical Institute. He worked hard and earned his Doctor of Science in 1957 from Osaka University and was promoted to professor at Musashi University. After he moved to the Science University of Tokyo in 1961, his research areas continuously grew in size and were combined into the Institute of Colloid and Interface Science. His research activities are impressive: over 200 technical articles, ten chapters in books, fifteen patents, editor of five books. It is evident that he always tended to break free from traditional or fixed ideas in his research work.

Professor Meguro’s major contributions can be grouped into areas of surfactants and dispersion systems of fine particles. He synthesized novel organosihcon and organotitanium surfactants and characterized their solution properties. Further, he developed a new method to elucidate solution properties of surfactants using probes such as tautomers, electron acceptors and dyes. According to this method, he clarified a relationship between chemical structures of surfactants and their solution properties. Especially, he inves-

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tigated physicochemical properties of nonionic surfactants with homogeneous oxyethylene chain length and of mixed systems of fluorocarbon and hydro- carbon surfactants. His numerous publications established his reputation in this field.

Professor Meguro’s work in the area of dispersion systems started to study interactions between surfactants and particles. In 1955, he proposed the double layers adsorption model of surfactants on particles, which is currently recognized the world over. He extended his idea to modify surface properties of particles using surfactants.

Professor Meguro devoted his passion for fostering young students and scientists through his leadership as an excellent researcher and a skillful educator. His open-hearted and broad-minded character gave impact to over 800 students on their leaving his laboratory both academically and socially. Further, he attached importance to making closer human relationships, especially among colloid scientists internationally, to develop and promote the activities in colloid and surface chemistry. In 1988, Professor Meguro concentrated his energies on the 6th International Conference on Colloid and Surface Science held in Hakone, Japan. As Vice Chairman of the Organizing Committee and General Secretary, he assured the success of this conference.

He served as Chairman of the Division of Colloid and Surface Chemistry of the Japan Chemical Society, President of the Japan Society of Colour Material and Vice President of the Japan Oil Chemists’ society, in addition to being a member of the Advisory Board of Journal of Colloid and Interface Science and that of Consulting Editor of Progress in Organic Coatings.

He will be missed, but ‘Meguroism’ will remain in the minds of many colloid scientists.

Kunio Esumi