Director of the the James Watt Nanofabrication Centre in Glasgow, Professor Douglas Paul received the Institute of Physics President’s Medal in recognition of his work translating physics research into advanced technology.
Previous recipients of the award that has only been given out on 8 occasions since its inception in 1998, have included particle physicist and broadcaster Professor Brian Cox in 2012 and Sir Timothy Berners-Lee, inventor of the World Wide Web, in 2006.
Professor Paul said: “I’m pleased and proud to have received the President’s Medal from the Institute of Physics. It’s a tremendous honour and I’m very grateful for the recognition.
“I’m also pleased that the work of the James Watt Nanofabrication Centre is receiving the attention it deserves. We have collaborated with 90 universities and 288 technology companies in 28 countries around the world, and the Centre’s revenues have increased by more than 50 per cent since 2010.
“While it has a sterling reputation in academia and industry, some of the Centre’s most impressive achievements must remain unknown to the public due to non-disclosure agreements with our clients.
“However, our work plays a key and ongoing role in helping to design and fabricate prototype components found in popular high-tech devices like mobile phones which people would be very familiar with.”
Dr Frances Saunders, President of the Institute of Physics, said: “I chose to present Professor Paul with the President’s Medal in recognition of his efforts to enable the prototyping and development of proof-of-concept nanoelectronics, quantum technologies and energy harvesting. Such enabling research is often unseen and unsung yet it is absolutely critical to translating the latest thinking in physics into something concrete that can benefit the economy and society.
“I am also keen to recognise people who use their knowledge of physics to create a wider impact on government policy for the future of the UK. Professor Paul’s impressive work as an advisor to UK government bodies such as the Defence Science Advisory Committee is a testament to his contribution outside academia.”
Links
University of Glasgow: ‘Prestigious award for University of Glasgow nanofabrication expert’
BBC News: ‘Nanotechnology under the microscope’
James Watt Nanofabrication Centre
Institute of Physics