Our people
Professor David Williams
Emeritus Investigator
- Phone:
- +64 9 373 7599, ext. 89877
Address:
School of Chemical Sciences
University of Auckland
Private Bag 92 019
Auckland 1142
Biography
David is best known as a serial founder of technology start-up companies. A graduate of the University of Auckland (PhD, electrochemistry, 1974), after post-doctoral work at Oxford University and Imperial College London and industry experience at IMI Titanium, Birmingham, he developed his research career in electrochemistry and chemical sensors at the UK Atomic Energy Research Establishment, Harwell, in the 1980s.
He co-founded Capteur Sensors Ltd; was Chief Scientist of Inverness Medical Innovations, and since joining the University of Auckland, has co-founded Air Quality Ltd; Orbis Ltd, and SpotCheck Technologies.
His research has broad scope in electrochemistry and chemical sensors – and he is an inventor on around 50 patents and patent applications. Most importantly, perhaps: he has been a major contributor to culture change within the MacDiarmid Institute, in supporting and mentoring other researchers interested in commercialising research.
You want your brain to hurt, to get out of your comfort zone. You attract people when you do things like this. You respond to sparks and generate your own sparks. We do the weird stuff no-one else is doing.
Professor David Williams
In the news
News Article
Developing highly functional and tailorable surface coatings
February 22, 2022
New Associate Investigator Dr Taniela Lolohea is using some of his MacDiarmid funding for Pasifika science projects.
Read more about Developing highly functional and tailorable surface coatings
In The Media
Not-so-modest proposals for Tiwai
December 10, 2019
An ambitious solution would keep jobs in Southland and deliver on the promise of the Zero Carbon Act.
Annual Report
Patents and spinouts 2018 - Annual Report 2018
April 8, 2019
This article from our 2018 Annual Report provides information about the MacDiarmid Institute's latest inventions, patents and spinouts.
Read more about Patents and spinouts 2018 - Annual Report 2018
News Article
2018 KiwiNet Awards Finalist - Professor David Williams
July 11, 2018
The MacDiarmid Institute is pleased to announce that Professor David Wiliams is a finalist in the 2018 KiwiNet Awards.
Read more about 2018 KiwiNet Awards Finalist - Professor David Williams
News Article
MacDiarmid Researcher and University of Auckland Professor David Williams shortlisted for 2018 KiwiNet Award
May 30, 2018
This award recognises an entrepreneurial researcher who has made outstanding contributions to business innovation.
Annual Report
1.1 Water quality testing and medical diagnostics - Annual Report 2017
May 18, 2018
With nearly all cancer deaths caused by metastasis – cells breaking away from the primary cancer and spreading through blood and lymph nodes to other parts of the body – hunting for metastatic cells is a priority in cancer diagnosis.
Read more about 1.1 Water quality testing and medical diagnostics - Annual Report 2017
Interface Magazine
Penny Brothers: Exploring surface patterning
July 13, 2015
Professor Penny Brothers is as proud and enthusiastic talking about her family as she is her science – her screensaver is a beautiful shot of her climbing Mt Aspiring with her son Tristan. She tells me, with some pleasure, that she’s delighted to be the incoming President of both the New Zealand Institute of Chemistry and the New Zealand Alpine Club in 2016.
Read more about Penny Brothers: Exploring surface patterning
Podcasts
NZ company develops device to test Covid-19 immunity
November 1, 2021
MacDiarmid Institute affiliated Orbis Diagnostics is on the brink of releasing a device that can test people's immunity to Covid-19.
Read more about NZ company develops device to test Covid-19 immunity
MacDiarmid Investigators Cather Simpson and David Williams discuss how materials science is changing the way farmers analyse milk – Our Changing World
May 9, 2019
MacDiarmid Investigators Cather Simpson and David Williams discuss how materials science is changing the way farmers analyse milk – Our Changing World.
© MacDiarmid Institute 2025, All rights reserved
Website by WebWeaver Productions