ºÚÁÏÍø³Ô¹Ï±¬ÁÏ scientist honoured with prestigious Royal Society of Chemistry Prize
A scientist from ºÚÁÏÍø³Ô¹Ï±¬ÁÏ, has been named winner of the Royal Society of Chemistry’s Harrison-Meldola Early Career Prize.
Dr Conrad Goodwin was awarded the prize for the development of innovative methods in synthetic rare earth and actinide chemistry.
The modern world depends on controlling the movement of electrons. Batteries work by moving charge between materials, while many technologies rely on metals whose properties change when electrons are added or removed. Rare-earth elements are especially important: they are essential components of the compact, powerful magnets used in electric motors, wind turbines, speakers, and many other technologies. Yet the chemistry of rare-earth elements in unusual ‘charged’ states, where they hold more or fewer electrons than usual, remains difficult to study.
Dr Goodwin's work develops molecules that allow scientists to stabilise and understand these unusual states. Some of these molecules also show properties relevant to future quantum technologies, where individual molecules could be used to store or process information.
On receiving the prize, Dr Goodwin said: “It makes me very proud to see that the research my team is doing has been recognised at this level by members of our community, and I’m really honoured to be part of it.â€
The Harrison-Meldola Early Career Prize for Chemistry is one of the Royal Society of Chemistry’s Research & Innovation Prizes, given in celebration of exceptional people advancing the chemical sciences across industry and academia.
Dr Helen Pain, CEO of the Royal Society of Chemistry, said: “Chemistry and chemists are everywhere in daily life and in our society, and our prizes reflect that depth and diversity. Our Research & Innovation prize winners include teams and individuals, professors and apprentices, as well as people from all around the world and in a wide range of roles and sectors. Each person’s contribution plays a vital role in advancing human knowledge and bettering the world that we all live in.
“I extend my warmest congratulations to Harrison-Meldola Early Career Prize for Chemistry. Winning an RSC Prize is a remarkable achievement. You join the ranks of a star-studded roster stretching back over 150 years, including several dozen who went on to win Nobel Prizes. Our winners are exceptional role models for our communities, and we’re so pleased to be celebrating such an extraordinary cohort this year.â€