Obiturary: Lars Pleth Nielsen

Our European industrial representative from Denmark, Dr Lars Pleth Nielsen passed away on 23 May 2024. He graduated from Aarhus University as a physicist with a subsequent PhD and was immediately employed in the industry at Haldor Topsoe A/S in Copenhagen. In 2002 he got a position at NKT with research in e.g. sensor technology associated with the Technical University of Denmark. In 2004, he was employed as a manager at the Technological Institute Aarhus to build up PVD activities and later in 2020 became director of the company Advanced Surface Plating, which he started together with a colleague. The company was shortly after sold to the Norwegian company Hydrogen Pro - formerly Norsk Hydro, which are specialists in hydrogen production by electrolysis.

He leaves a huge practical, academic and personal imprint on the Danish industry, where he was one of the main forces in developing State-Of-The-Art alkaline electrolysis plants for the production of green hydrogen. A project that has already created partners such as Mitsubishi and Delta Airline in the pursuit of green fuel and building the world's largest hydrogen plant to date. It will be difficult to find a more well-liked, friendly person and at the same time a respected and admired professional. One that could combine the highest academic surface science in collaboration with universities with many PhD students attached to the company. He had practical qualities and could create unique results for the benefit of the industry and society in general. He is also co-author of several books within surface technology and corrosion.