LCN scientists, Professor Ivan Parkin (UCL Chemistry) and Professor Angelos Michaelides (UCL Physics & Astronomy), have been awarded two of the Royal Society of Chemistry’s top prizes in this year’s awards.
Professor Michaelides has been awarded the RSC’s Corday-Morgan Prize for the most meritorious contributions to chemistry. In particular, the prize acknowledges his work on the development of computational methods and applications that have significantly advanced understanding of several important chemical systems.
Professor Michaelides’ work crosses both chemistry and physics by using computer simulations to better understand the elementary processes occurring at interfaces. Amongst other things, his group is currently researching a fundamental, molecular-level description of water at interfaces and how ice forms, which will have broad implications from an improved understanding of the climate to better tasting ice cream.
“I am very honoured to have won the RSC’s Corday-Morgan Prize and I feel that this award acknowledges the hard work and dedication of the many excellent students, post-docs and collaborators our research team has had over the last few years,” said Professor Michaelides.
Professor Parkin has been awarded the RSC Tilden Prize for advances in chemistry for his research focusing on making innovative thin films and coatings that have functional properties. The Tilden Prize was founded in 1939 and commemorates Sir William Augustus Tilden, a British chemist and pioneer in the teaching of science.
Professor Parkin’s group has developed self-cleaning and energy efficient window coatings in collaboration with NSG-Pilkington, and anti-microbial surfaces which decontaminate themselves for use in hospitals and offices. They have also successfully researched new gas sensing materials to detect pollutant gasses and help track toxic contamination in waste water.
Over 550 research publications and 11 patents detailing the synthesis of new materials and coatings have been published by his team and many of the projects involve colleagues across UCL and researchers from the global scientific community.
“I am delighted to be the recipient of the RSC Tilden Prize and although it has been awarded to me, it is an acknowledgement of the hard work, enthusiasm and dedication of my research team,” said Professor Parkin.
Dr Robert Parker, chief executive of the Royal Society of Chemistry said: “It is an honour to recognise the illustrious achievements of our prize and award winners in our 175th anniversary year.
“We were founded in 1841 by a group of academics, industrialists and doctors who understood the power of the chemical sciences to change our world for the better. Our winners share that vision and are advancing excellence in their fields, whether through innovative research or inspirational teaching and outreach.
“We are proud to celebrate and support the work of inspiring and influential individuals, whose work has the potential to improve so many lives.”
Prize winners are evaluated for the originality and impact of their research, as well as the quality of the results which can be shown in publications, patents, or even software. The awards also recognise the importance of teamwork across the chemical sciences, and the abilities of individuals to develop successful collaborations.
Links: UCL Mathematical and Physical Science
Image: Professor Ivan Parkin and Professor Angelos Michaelides (left to right)
