Two NCI researchers have been honoured by the Australian Academy of Sciences for their contributions to science.
Associate Professor Kylie Catchpole.
Professor Denis Evans and Associate Professor Kylie Catchpole from ANU were awarded the 2015 David Craig Medal for outstanding contributions to chemical research and the Inaugural John Booker Medal in Engineering Science, respectively.
Professor Evans has made several outstanding contributions to classical statistical mechanics of nonequilibrium systems. He has long been credited with the derivation of Molecular Dynamics algorithms for computing transport properties of fluids and thermostats. Evans' most outstanding theory contributions concern the thermodynamics of small systems observed over short time, for which he is internationally regarded as the "Creator of the Fluctuation Theorems".
Associate Professor Catchpole's research focuses on using nanotechnology to make solar cells cheaper and more efficient. Associate Professor Catchpole's major achievements include showing that the efficiency of thin solar cells can be improved using tiny metal particles, which act like antennas to direct light into the solar cell. This has opened up a range of new possibilities for reducing the cost of solar electricity.
"The Australian Academy of Science Awards recognise the best of the best – the scientists who have been performing ground breaking work in their fields," said NCI Director Professor Lindsay Botten. "NCI is are proud to support Denis and Kylie in research that has been recognised as significant on a nation and global level. I congratulate them both, and all the other award recipients, on their achievement."
