SmartKem Appoints New Senior Scientist to Support Business Growth

SmartKem Ltd, a developer of novel materials and processes that create high resolution microelectronic components directly onto thin flexible printed electronics, announced the appointment of Russell Griffiths to the position of senior scientist.

In this key role, Griffiths will lead SmartKem’s technical staff, building on the company’s core expertise to further penetrate the rapidly growing printed electronics industry. This strategic appointment will enable SmartKem to capitalize on its extensive knowledge from the chemistry, electronics, photonics and printing industries in order to create practical solutions that will replace standard printing techniques for the creation of flexible electronic devices.

Based at the company’s headquarters at the world class OpTIC Technium center in St Asaph, North Wales, Griffiths’ main responsibilities will involve the design and synthesis of novel organic compounds such as semiconductors and dielectrics for use in microelectronic devices such as organic thin film transistors. He will also lead a program to further enhance the chemical properties of these materials using novel laser patterning techniques for high resolution, high performance plastic/printed electronics devices.

He will be responsible for managing SmartKem’s research projects, interacting with collaborating companies and academic institutions and preparing intellectual property submissions.

Griffiths joins SmartKem following nine years of experience in senior positions with Merck Chemicals Ltd, SAFC Pharma, Oxford Advanced Surfaces and Erigal. His expertise spans across customer project management, establishment of academic collaborations, new business development and patent filling. With a ph.d. in organic chemistry from the University of Durham, he has demonstrated his ability to successfully synthesize and apply novel materials while also developing innovative ways to avoid infringing existing intellectual property to allow for new business development in areas previously restricted by competitor patents.

“We are very pleased to welcome Russell to the team,” Steve Kelly, SmartKem founder, said. “SmartKem aims to accelerate the adoption of printed electronics by offering enhanced materials and processes that overcome many of the challenges of this rapidly advancing market. In anticipation of rapid expansion, we appointed Russell to help us strengthen our position. Russell shares our passion for the real opportunities facing printed electronics and we strongly believe that his extensive experience and skills will be key to the ongoing development of the company.”

Reflecting on his appointment, Griffiths said, “I am very excited at the prospect of leading the scientific team at SmartKem as it continues to grow into one of the principal high tech enterprises in the UK serving the printable electronics industry. As senior scientist, my role will be to ensure that our expansion continues to be based on a firm footing of breakthrough products and processes.”