Professor MacFarlane has made extensive contributions to the field of Materials Chemistry, in particular the preparation and physical properties of new ionic materials. His group was the first to recognise the phenomenon of fast-ion conduction in plastic crystalline materials. They have also been leaders in identifying new families of Ionic Liquids, characterising their properties and exploring their applications. Applying the principles of materials chemistry to the field of Cryobiology, Professor MacFarlane was one of the originators of a paradigm shift in understanding of the role of vitrification at low temperatures. This has become one of the cornerstones of modern Cryobiology.