The Story of YInMn Blue: Lecture with Dr. Mas Subramanian

Join Dr. Mas Subramanian, the inventor of YInMn Blue—the first new blue pigment discovered in more than 200 years—for a fascinating lecture.
About this Event

Join Dr. Mas Subramanian, the inventor of YInMn Blue—the first new blue pigment discovered in more than 200 years—for a fascinating lecture on the science, history, and future of color. Dr. Subramanian will share the story behind this accidental discovery and explore the role of pigments in art, design, technology, and everyday life, offering a unique perspective at the intersection of scientific innovation and creative practice.

This event will be held inside the new Jordan Schnitzer School for Art + Art HIstory + Design on 1981 SW Broadway, Portland, OR 97201. JSMA at PSU staff will be on site to help direct you to the lecture space from the museum.

Mas Subramanian is University Distinguished Professor and Milton Harris Chair of Materials Science in the Department of Chemistry at Oregon State University. His research focuses on the discovery and design of inorganic solid-state materials with novel properties for electronics, energy, catalysis, magnetism, and durable pigments. His research has led to the discovery and design of durable, non-toxic inorganic pigments, most notably YInMn Blue, the first new blue inorganic pigment discovered in more than 200 years.

 His work has established important connections between crystal structure, local coordination environment, composition, and electronic structure in determining color, and has led to new approaches for discovering next-generation durable pigments. YInMn Blue has been commercialized and is now widely recognized for its scientific, technological, and cultural impact. In recognition of his pioneering contributions to materials chemistry and color science, Professor Subramanian has received numerous national and international honors, including the 2019 Perkin Medal, one of the highest honors in the field of industrial chemistry and color. He has published more than 400 papers and patents and listed as an inventor on 55 US patents.