DuPont announced today that two of its top technology leaders, Dr. Deyan Wang from DuPont Electronics & Industrial and Nicholas (Nick) Sands from DuPont Water & Protection, have been honored with the prestigious DuPont Laureate title, the company’s highest technical recognition.
We’re extremely proud to celebrate Deyan and Nick, two of DuPont’s most esteemed innovators, and congratulate them on this remarkable achievement,” said Alexa Dembek, Senior Vice President and Chief Technology & Sustainability Officer at DuPont. “Their careers, marked by technical excellence, scientific endeavors, and a dedication to mentoring others, have earned them this distinction. Their pioneering work in science and engineering has not only advanced industries but also made a lasting impact on society for current and future generations.”
Becoming a DuPont Laureate involves a rigorous selection process, where nominees are evaluated by their peers based on exceptional technical and business leadership. Laureates are recognized for significant contributions that have played a key role in DuPont’s business success. Through their individual efforts and collaborative projects, these leaders have demonstrated an ability to turn their scientific expertise and dedication into meaningful results that benefit global customers.
It’s a profound honor to receive this prestigious recognition, which motivates me to continue exploring new frontiers in science,” said Dr. Wang. “I’m grateful for the support and collaboration of my colleagues, with whom I share this achievement. I’m excited to keep setting an example for others in the technical community and to inspire the next generation of innovators to realize their full potential, driving value not only for DuPont but for the world.
Dr. Deyan Wang and Nicholas (Nick) Sands have each made significant contributions throughout their distinguished careers, earning recognition as DuPont Laureates for their exceptional technical leadership and innovations.
Dr. Wang’s 30-year career in the electronic materials industry has been marked by groundbreaking achievements, including the development of three transformative and highly successful technology platforms: embedded barrier layers, immersion topcoat for 193 nm immersion lithography, and innovative leveler materials for plated copper interconnects. These technologies have driven new manufacturing processes, establishing DuPont as a leader in materials for semiconductor and circuit board production. Currently working in Emerging Technologies, Dr. Wang is also a pioneer in product development across various sectors, such as Flexible Displays, Image Sensors, and 5G High-Speed Connectivity.
With over 58 U.S. patents to his name, Dr. Wang’s inventions span metallization for semiconductor and circuit board interconnects, lithography, display technologies, and carbon-based semiconductors. He is also a dedicated mentor and active member of the DuPont Asian Group employee resource group, promoting diversity and inclusion to enhance productivity and problem-solving. In 2023, he was honored with DuPont’s Lavoisier Medal for Lifetime Technical Achievement. Dr. Wang holds a bachelor’s degree in Physics from Liaoning Normal University in China, and an M.S. in Physics and Ph.D. in Polymer Science from the University of Southern Mississippi.
Nick Sands brings a wealth of experience from his 34-year career, where he has established himself as an expert in Automation & Process Control (A&PC), specializing in Alarm Management, Safety Instrumented Systems (SIS), and Human-Machine Interface (HMI) design. His innovative approaches to automation have played a vital role in the success of projects exceeding $1 billion, including the establishment of a world-class Tyvek® production line in Luxembourg. Sands has been instrumental in developing industry standards for Alarm Management, improving process safety, and implementing advanced SIS practices. His work in digitalizing SIS processes and setting company-wide standards for SIS documentation has significantly enhanced safety awareness.
Sands is highly regarded for his mentorship, training, and team-building efforts, which have helped cultivate the next generation of process safety and automation experts. His contributions to industry organizations have earned him multiple accolades, including the International Society of Automation (ISA) Standards Excellence Award, the International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC) Standards Exceptional Achievement Award, and an induction into Control Magazine’s Process Automation Hall of Fame. Sands holds a bachelor’s degree in Chemical Engineering from Virginia Tech.
