Physics accolades for STFC scientists
2 Jul 2014 12:26 PM
Scientists with strong links to the Science and
Technology Facilities Council have been honoured yesterday by the Institute of
Physics in their 2014 annual awards.
During the course of his
career, Tony Bell has opened up new research fields in both astrophysical and
laboratory plasmas. He has played a leading role in the development of what is
now the standard model of astrophysical particle acceleration and cosmic ray
origins. He also proposed the theory of magnetic field amplification.Our
congratulations go to Professor Anthony Bell, Senior Research Fellow at
STFC’s Central Laser Facility and Professor of Physics at the University
of Oxford, who receives the Hoyle Medal and Prize for his work on the origin
and impact of cosmic rays and for his influential contributions to electron
energy transport in laboratory plasmas.
Professor Bell said: “I’m delighted to
receive this recognition. My first thought is gratitude to those I have worked
with in both astrophysics and laboratory plasmas. The crossover between
light-year scale astrophysics and sub-millimetre scale laser-plasma experiments
has generated many of the key concepts in my research."
STFC also congratulates Professor Gerhard Materlik,
former CEO of the Diamond Light Source, who successfully led the complex
project to construct and operate the UK’s national synchrotron at
STFC’s Rutherford Appleton Laboratory. He receives the Glazebrook Medal
for outstanding leadership in establishing this world-leading laboratory, and
for his innovations in X-ray diffraction physics. He is currently Professor of
Facilities Science at University College London.
This year other Institute of Physics award winners who
have strong links to STFC included:
- • Dr Elizabeth Blackburn, University of Birmingham,
who was awarded the Moseley Medal for her pioneering experimental work in the
field of novel superconductors and magnets using neutrons and X-rays and who
has worked with STFC ISIS.
- • Professor Paul Nolan, University of Liverpool,
was awarded the Rutherford Medal for his outstanding contributions to nuclear
structure at extremes of angular momentum. Paul is the UK lead for the STFC
supported AGATA project, which is the collaborative European project to
construct and operate a gamma-ray tracking spectrometer.
- • Dr Teresa Anderson and Professor Tim
O’Brien, University of Manchester, who were awarded the Kelvin Medal for
their innovative approach to public engagement with physics through the
creation of a new Discovery Centre at Jodrell Bank. The Centre works to inspire
the next generation of astronomers and physicists and attracts over 15,000
school pupils a year to its exhibitions and education
programme.
The
full list of award winners, including early career, education and outreach
awards, can be found at the Intistute of Physics
website.
More information
Marion O'Sullivan
STFC Press Officer
Rutherford Appleton Laboratory
Tel: 01235 445627
Mob: 07824 888990
Notes for editors
The STFC Central Laser
Facility (CLF) is a partnership between its staff and
the large number of members of UK and European universities who use the
specialised laser equipment provided to carry out a broad range of experiments
in physics, chemistry and biology. The CLF’s wide ranging applications
include experiments in physics, chemistry and biology, accelerating subatomic
particles to high energies, probing chemical reactions on the shortest
timescales and studying biochemical and biophysical process critical to life
itself.
The Diamond Light
Source is a third generation synchrotron light source
facility. Diamond produces X-ray, infrared and ultra-violet beams. These highly
focused beams of light enable scientists and engineers to probe deep into the
basic structure of matter and materials, answering fundamental questions about
everything from the building blocks of life to the origin of our
planet.
The
Diamond Light Source Ltd is funded by the STFC and the Wellcome Trust, owning
86% and 14% of the shares respectively.