Outstanding recognition for Durham University's scientists

Durham University's outstanding achievements in science have been recognised with a series of awards. Two of the University's leading physicists have been awarded prestigious Institute of Physics Medals. Professor Tom McLeish is the first recipient of the Sam Edwards Medal while Department of Physics' colleague Professor Nigel Glover is awarded the Lord Rayleigh Medal. Soft Matter Physics Professor McLeish's medal is in recognition of his contribution to research in the field of soft matter and is named in honour of Professor Sir Sam Edwards, a pivotal figure in the creation of soft matter physics. Soft matter physics looks at the fundamental understanding of materials such as polymers (plastics), colloids (milky fluids) and liquid crystals (such as switchable displays). It is now increasingly bringing physicists and biologists together, as well as being used to solve puzzles of living matter. Professor McLeish, a member of the Durham Centre for Soft Matter and Biophysical Sciences Institute , is renowned for increasing the understanding of the flow properties of molten or dissolved plastics (including providing new modelling tools for industry) and 'self-assembling' long chain biological molecules.