Member of the Order of Canada
- Awarded on: May 13, 2004
- Invested on: March 11, 2005
He has championed practical applications for scientific innovations. Researcher Emeritus with the National Research Council of Canada, Jerzy Dobrowolski was instrumental in the development of the optical thin film technique applied to our paper currency, which safeguards it against forgery and counterfeiting. As one of the world's most successful anti-counterfeiting devices, his optical thin films technology has also found applications in the telecommunications and information technology sectors, as featured on drivers' licences and compact discs. A generous mentor, he has influenced and inspired generations of young scientists.