Digby D. Macdonald* (1943–2025) was known for his pioneering theoretical and experimental work, including the development of the Point Defect Model (PDM), which helped explain the behavior of passive oxide films, especially in nuclear environments.
A native New Zealander, he received his BSc and MSc in Chemistry from the University of Aukland, followed by a PhD in Chemistry from the University of Calgary. His professional career began as Assistant Research Officer at Atomic Energy of Canada Ltd. (1969–1972), followed by positions at SRI International (1984–1991, 1998–1999), Victoria University of Wellington (1972–1975), The Ohio State University (1979–1984), and The Pennsylvania State University (1991–2012), where he became emeritus. His final appointment was Professor in Residence at the University of California, Berkeley.
Dr. Macdonald authored over 600 papers. A Fellow of The Electrochemical Society, Royal Society of Chemistry, Royal Society of New Zealand, NACE-International, and ASM International, he received numerous awards including the ECS Olin Palladium Award (2015); International Society of Electrochemistry Frumkin Memorial Medal (2014); International Association for the Properties of Water and Steam Gibbs Award (2013); Faraday Memorial Trust Gold Medal (2012); Khwarizmi International Award in Fundamental Science (2007); UK Institute of Corrosion U. R. Evans Award (2003); ECS Corrosion Division H. H. Uhlig Award (2001); and ECS Carl Wagner Memorial Award (1991).
The foundations of the point defect model for which Dr. Macdonald is best known were published in 1981 and 1992 in the Journal of The Electrochemical Society.
* Adapted from Gerald Frankel, “In Memoriam… Digby D. Macdonald (1943-2025)”, 2025 Electrochem. Soc. Interface 34 40.