The Institute congratulates the winners of the 2024 IOM3 Awards & Prizes as listed below. The awards were presented at the 2024 IOM3 Awards Day on Thursday 5 December.
Contribution to the Institute & Affiliated Local Societies Awards
IOM3 International Medal
Prof Marcel Van De Voorde FIMMM
Outstanding Contribution Award for EDI (joint)
EUR ING Dawn Bonfield MBE FREng CEng FIMMM
Outstanding Contribution Award for EDI (joint)
Dr Cathryn MacCallum CEnv FIMMM
Sir Andrew Bryan Medal
William Tinsley CEng FIMMM
T B Marsden Professional Medal
Prof James Busfield FREng CEng FIMMM
Local Society of the Year Award
EMMS (East Midlands Materials Society)
IOM3 International Medal
Prof Marcel Van De Voorde FIMMM
Emeritus Professor, European Commission
His career started as a theoretical physicist at CERN, Geneva in 1965 where he rose to be Head of Technology. He moved from CERN to the EU Commission (Research) in 1976 and became the first Director of the ERASMUS, EUREKA, COST and VAMAS programmes. He was the Director for EU materials research (DG12 Research and JRCs) for 25 years and is currently negotiating with Switzerland over their exclusion from the Horizon programme. He was involved with Brexit negotiations with the UK and with our recent re-joining of Horizon.
In 1984, he was one of four founders of the IMEC Institute, Leuven for nano-materials research which now has 5500 staff, and he remains an executive advisor to the CEO. In 1998 he was visiting professor at the Max Planck Institute in Stuttgart and directed the nano science / technology research programme. In his early work at Brussels, he directed the research programme of the high temperature materials Institute at EU Joint Research Centre, Petten in the Netherlands.
He has advised the governments of Germany, France, Spain and Sweden on materials research and is a UN advisor in current discussions with Middle East countries.
In 1980, his Brussels Office set up FEMS and the European Society for Ceramics.
One of his first involvements with IOM3 came in 1979 when the President of the Metals Society was G W van Stein Callefels, Hoogovens Steel. Both worked hard to recruit new members to the Society, particularly in Belgium and the Netherlands, and enabled several senior members of the Institute to join EU materials committees. Professor Van de Voorde was involved in many Foresight studies organised both by the Institute and by the EU Commission. Professor Richard Brook, a former President of the Institute of Ceramics in 1984, was a key collaborator for him in the EU Foresight programme, as well as in helping JRC Petten.
He has collaborated with Sir Colin Humphreys over many years, fostering materials research at universities in Belgium, Netherlands and the UK when student numbers were in decline. Sir Colin has contributed to several research policy papers written by Professor van de Voorde for EC programmes.
Professor van de Voorde has honorary degrees and emeritus professorships from many Universities, including the Catholic University, Leuven, La Sapienza University, Rome, Technical University Delft, Tsinghua University, Beijing, and Cracow University, Poland and has national Belgian Honours of Commander in the Orders of the Crown and of Leopold II. He was awarded the gold medal of the Foundation of European Merit by in 2015 by Jean Claude Junkers, President of the EU Commission.
Outstanding Contribution Award for EDI (joint)
EUR ING Dawn Bonfield MBE FREng CEng FIMMM
Prof of Practice, Engineering for Sustainable Development, Towards Vision
Dawn Bonfield has worked in the field of Equality, Diversity and Inclusion since 2011 where she became involved with the Women’s Engineering Society, and went on to become its President and then Chief Executive Office, and thanks to her success in turning around the financial stability of the organisation, the first paid CEO since Dame Caroline Haslett led the organisation in the 1950s. Whilst at WES she founded a number of initiatives that have changed the environment of women in engineering and materials globally. She was founder of International Women in Engineering Day (INWED) which takes place on 23 June annually, and this year celebrates its tenth anniversary. She was also founder of the annual Top 50 Women in Engineering list, of which a number of IOM3 members have subsequently been named. Dawn represents the UK on the Executive Board of the World Federation of Engineering Organisations (WFEO) where she is Deputy Chair of the Women in Engineering committee. As part of this committee she leads the work on a project studying the impact of engineering on women globally, in relation to the Sustainable Development Goals. This has included advising the United Nations High Level Committee on the impact of climate change on women specifically, and on the gender sensitive engineering responses. She also leads the work on a global scorecard to measure percentages of women in engineering around the world. She is an outspoken leader on many issues related to gender diversity in engineering, as well as the impact of engineering on women.
She is now nationally recognised for her work on inclusive engineering which looks at the impact of our engineering products and services to ensure that they are not promulgating bias and discrimination, and the ways in which engineers can identify the social and environmental impacts of their work, and use this knowledge to influence the engineering decisions they take. This includes understanding the impact of the provenance of materials on planet and ultimately people. She has developed an Inclusive Engineering Framework to help engineers understand more about these requirements, and has embedded this framework within EPSRC research guidance.
Dawn has championed the history of women in engineering through her social enterprise Magnificent Women, and has produced a Top 100 Historical Women in Engineering list along with biographies of each of the women. She is now co-leading a project to celebrate the centenary of the Electrical Association for Women. She is a veteran of engineering outreach, and in the Year of Engineering she delivered engineering outreach to schools and young people over 42 days during that year.
Dawn is currently President of the Commonwealth Engineers’ Council where she has identified diversity and inclusion as one of her main themes for her Presidency.
She has previously been a member of the Women in Materials Committee, and is currently a Board member of the UKRI EDI Caucus, the EPSRC Strategic Advisory Group for EDI, and the ICE Fairness, Inclusion and Respect Committee.
Outstanding Contribution Award for EDI (joint)
Dr Cathryn MacCallum CEnv FIMMM
Director, Sazani Associates
Cathryn is a pioneer in bringing alternative perspectives into the wider materials, minerals and mining sector. Bringing her expertise from a previous career in sustainable rural livelihoods, community engagement and global learning, where she is widely published, and she retains strong academic and practical links, she embraced the challenge. Years of shaping national policy and delivering transnational development programmes; she was awarded a prestigious World Aware Laureate from the North South Centre, Council of Europe Council of Europe, for one of them, she was ready to challenge orthodoxy. From her involvement in the UK Commission of UNESCO, to her subsequent publications about how Sazani Associates’ educational programmes were challenging the rise of austere forms of Islam in Zanzibar, she supported structural changes that delivered opportunities for girls and woman and social justice for the excluded.
Recognising the need for structural changes within the mining sector, she relished her involvement in supporting the Pan European Reserves and Resources Reporting Committee (PERC) to consider a more developed social aspect to the reporting standard. This is significant in raising the volume from hard to hear, or ignored voices. Voices the mining industry is realising now that it is crucial to listen to, if they want to build a sustainable business. Her work with Akobo minerals in developing the basis for a Payment for Ecosystem (PES) Carbon scheme, supports the desire of Akobo to produce Carbon neutral Gold, and a long term closure plan. Admirable as both those are, her approach addresses a range of social and environmental justice issues supported by active community stewardship, rehabilitating land badly scarred by years of artisanal mining. This sustainable approach builds on the Voluntary Carbon Market, supporting a future for local people when the mine inevitably moves on. Linking this to a teacher training and local school lesson delivery program with contextualised books, resources approved by the Ethiopian state and underpinned by best practice, is about addressing change in local society.
Demonstrating how womens’ cooperatives can develop building products from mining rock residue, saving the company money and supporting sustainable businesses in a desperately poor locality, is about addressing marginality and exclusion. It is about supporting local women to drive change in their society through a “market systems approach”. It is no surprise that Cathryn has always seen mining as a driver of sustainable development at a local level, moving the sector away from historical paternalism in their approach to host communities. From training with mining companies supporting staff to understand the sensitivities of working with Indigenous peoples communities, to delivering a broader perspective on risk, cultural awareness and inclusiveness, she has helped numerous companies revaluate how they view 'the other'. 'The other' can be 'the community', 'the different', 'the dissenting voice'.
As a social scientist, delivering or evaluating projects for the financial sector, working directly with communities or in developing and delivering international post graduate qualification, Cathryn has always remained kind whilst pushed hard against the often rigid boundaries set by a sector starting to evolve.
Sir Andrew Bryan Medal
William Tinsley CEng FIMMM
Trustee, MIMinE
William (BIll) Joseph Tinsley has been a long-standing member of the Institute of Materials Minerals & Mining (IOM3), his membership from June 1977 pre-dating the merger of the Institute of Materials (IOM) with the Institute of Mining and Metallurgy (IMM).
He started work in the National Coal Board as a Mining Geologist, having obtained a BSc (Hons) from Newcastle Upon Tyne University in 1974. He then transferred to the Mining Student Apprenticeship Scheme in December 1977, gaining his First Class Certificate of Competency in July1981. His first Statutory position was as an Undermanager at Wheldale Colliery in 1982. He has progressed through the management structure to hold very senior managerial positions both in the nationalised and privatised UK coal mining industry, becoming Group and then Mining Director for UK Coal plc, before becoming a successful mining consultant upon his departure from UK Coal plc.
Bill was a very active junior member of Council in his IMM days, and as a member of the Midland Institute of Mining Engineers (MIMinE) following the merger with IOM3, has taken on more senior positions within MIMinE, becoming President in 1999-2000. He was awarded the MIMinE’ s Webster Medal in 2004 for the best technical paper presented in that year. He was invited and became a Chairman of the Trustee Board of the Midland Institute Trust Fund, a post that he held for several years. With the creation of the Midland Institute of Mining Engineers, Charitable Incorporated Organisation (CIO), in 2018, he became a Trustee of this new organisation.
With the new management structures introduced under the CIO, Bill has served as Chairman of the Finance and Investments Sub-committee of about 8 members who liaise with the investment managers and MIMinE trustees to ensure a sound investment and income strategy is in place for the long term survival of the MIMinE. During Bill’s long and distinguished career, he has both encouraged and mentored junior members of staff and colleagues to achieve professional status and recognition/registration through their institutes and has for some years been an Engineering Council representative for the IOM3.
Bill has been the elected North Eastern Regional Representative for IOM3 sitting on the Local Affairs Board and throughout his career has supported both National and formerly Branch activities for Local Societies. He has also organised events such as the Annual Symposium of the former Yorkshire Branch.
Bill is an active member of the Accreditation Committee participating in accreditation visits to several academic establishments and is also an active Trained Assessor, Scrutineer and Professional Review Interviewer, who has a very thorough understanding of the relevance of professional registration and the selection process that underpins it, coupled with an astute sense of justice and interpersonal skills.
T B Marsden Professional Medal
Prof James Busfield FREng CEng FIMMM
Professor of Materials, Queen Mary University of London
Professor James Busfield has been the heart of the IOM3 elastomer community for the last 30 years. His interaction started with the Rubber in Engineering Group, now the IOM3 Elastomer Group, where he has been the link person with IOM3 for more than 25 years and Chair for the last 14. James has organised more than 100 conferences, events and discussion meetings for the IOM3. Typically, these are one day or half day events every quarter that initially attracted 60-90 delegates in person, however since going hybrid the numbers have risen to more than 200 (and up to 500) registrations.
Events include highly successful global conferences such as RubberCON 2014 in Manchester, RubberCON 2023 in Edinburgh (310+ delegates) and the International Rubber Conference 2019 in London (550 delegates). Each conference was won through an international competitive tendering process led by James. Each has contributed significantly to the IOM3 finances and have helped to raise the international profile of the Institute. He has recently secured the European Conference for Constitutive Modelling of Rubber, which he will again chair with IOM3 as the organisers in 2026. He has been the International Rubber Conference Organisation UK / IOM3 representative for the last 13 years and he travels extensively representing the IOM3 and helping to manage their involvement.
James has also served on the IOM3 Polymer Group (and all recent antecedents) for more than 25 years. He is on the IOM3 Advisory Council and Technical Communities Forum. James is the rubber paper editor of the IOM3 journal, Plastics, Rubber and Composites: Macromolecular Engineering and is also the Associate Editor of Rubber Chemistry and Technology.
James’s soft matter group at QMUL is the largest UK rubber research group and one of the largest such university research groups worldwide, with 14 post doctorial researchers and PhD students. Their work combines experimental and physical analysis with modelling techniques of soft matter materials. Investigating abrasion, friction, fracture, creep, fatigue, viscoelastic behaviour, modulus enhancement, self healing, recycling, ageing and composite filler reinforcement. This includes smart materials that can sense their environment and actuating materials that can change shape in response to a physical stimulus.
James was elected a Fellow of the Royal Academy of Engineering in 2020 for 'working with industrial partners developing a wide range of innovative elastomer products and improving the performance of elastomer materials. This includes helping tyre companies such as Bridgestone improve the fuel efficiency of their tyres or oil & gas companies such as SLB to create more robust deep-sea sealing systems'.
James does not concentrate solely on research. At undergraduate level drove QMUL problem-based learning approach. This development lead him being awarded a National Teaching Fellowship in 2009. He has also driven forward the degree apprenticeship agenda securing the £28M in grants that established QMUL pioneering London City Institute of Technology launched in 2022.
James Busfield has spent more than 30 years ensuring the world leading position of the UK in rubber technology and enhancing the IOM3 reputation in this area.
Local Society of the Year Award
EMMS (East Midlands Materials Society)
About the Local Society of the Year Award
Contribution to Knowledge
Gold Medal
Dr Gareth Hinds FREng CEng FIMMM
Medal for Excellence
NUSINC led by Prof Richard Spontak FIMMM
Platinum Medal (joint)
Prof Sir Andre Geim
Platinum Medal (joint)
Prof Sir Konstantin Novoselov FRS
Silver Medal
Dr Matthew Wadge MIMMM
Gold Medal
Dr Gareth Hinds FREng CEng FIMMM
Senior NPL Fellow & Science Area Leader, Electrochemistry Group, NPL
Prof Gareth Hinds (Senior NPL Fellow FREng, FIMMM, FNACE, FICorr) is an exceptional multi-disciplined scientist who, since joining the National Physical Laboratory in 2002, has undertaken ground-breaking research on corrosion and cracking issues related to upstream oil and gas production, material degradation in polymer electrolyte membrane (PEM) fuel cells and electrolysers, and the innovative application of dimensional, thermal, acoustic and electrochemical techniques to characterise lithium-ion battery performance. His research is especially notable for its high level of industrial engagement, with over 100 direct industry-funded projects and the widespread adoption by industry of his measurement techniques and recommendations to enhance current engineering practice and advance technological development. The engineering impact was recognised in his election to Fellow of the Royal Academy of Engineering in 2019.
He has made major sustained contributions to the fundamental understanding of degradation mechanisms of materials, combining innovative measurement techniques and advanced modelling. A notable example is the development of a novel in situ reference electrode for polymer electrolyte membrane (PEM) fuel cells and electrolysers, which has transformed understanding of local potential distribution during device operation. The insights generated from this ground-breaking work have revolutionised approaches to materials and component testing and paved the way towards substitution of cheaper bipolar plate and porous transport layer materials in PEM water electrolysers, which will significantly reduce the cost of green hydrogen.
Prof Hinds has the distinction of being recognised as world-leading in three distinct technology areas of research, as evidenced by plenary and keynote presentations at major international conferences and workshops on corrosion, on fuel cells, and on batteries, international awards (Christian Friedrich Schönbein Medal, The Engineer Collaborate to Innovate Award, NACE Fellow Honor) and over 200 publications (many jointly with industry). The real world impact of his work is wide-ranging, as illustrated by the examples in the attached case studies.
He is President of the World Corrosion Organization (WCO), Vice President of the European Federation of Corrosion (EFC) and Past President of the Institute of Corrosion (ICorr). He holds Visiting Professorships at University College London, the University of Strathclyde, and Harbin Institute of Technology. He is an active member of international standards committees (ISO, IEC, AMPP), professional society committees (IOM3, ICorr, EFC) and advisory boards (HyRES, Hi-ACT, CDTs) and is regularly invited to act as external assessor for European and US applied research programmes.
Prof Hinds has made a significant contribution to IOM3 as both a founding member of the Energy Transition Group and a long-term member of the Corrosion Subgroup of the Surface Technologies Group. He is Chair of the Local Organising Committee of the EuroCorr 2026 conference in Dublin, which will be co-hosted by IOM3 and ICorr, and played a key role in winning the bid to host the conference.
Medal for Excellence
NUSINC led by Prof Richard Spontak FIMMM
Norwegian University of Science & Technology (Norway), SINTEF Industry (Norway), North Carolina State University (USA)
Global climate change constitutes one of the most pressing existential challenges the human race has ever faced. While clean and sustainable energy sources are under worldwide consideration to replace the consumption of fossil fuels, atmospheric emissions of greenhouse gases, especially CO2, will continue to pollute the environment in the foreseeable future. The international NUSINC team has focused on the design, development and characterization of advanced carbon-capture membranes to reduce CO2 emissions and, in the process, mitigate climate change. The team consists of expert principal investigators, research scientists and students from the Norwegian University of Science & Technology (NTNU) in Trondheim, Norway, SINTEF Industry in Trondheim, Norway, and North Carolina State University (NCSU) in Raleigh, North Carolina, USA. In 2022, the team published a paper in the prestigious journal Science to report on a revolutionary new polymer membrane scheme that effectively couples two different transport mechanisms to overcome the selectivity-permeability trade-off typically encountered by polymeric membranes. Common membranes operate on the principle of a solution-diffusion mechanism wherein penetrant molecules first adsorb on the surface of the membrane and then diffuse through the membrane, after which they desorb. While in the membrane, molecular transport is either solubility-driven due to chemical affinity or diffusion-driven due to molecular size. In either case, an increase in permeability (throughput) is generally accompanied by a reduction in selectivity (separation quality) and vice-versa, which gives rise to the empirical Robeson upper-bound that is commonly used to gauge and compare membrane performance.
The team started with commercially available polymer membranes that exhibit relatively high CO2 permeability but low CO2/N2 selectivity (N2 is chosen as the surrogate for air). Since the membranes of interest are intended for use to remove CO2 from flue gas generated by fossil-fueled power plants (as well as cement industries), they will be exposed to high humidity. To exploit this humid environment, polymer chains are first grown on the surfaces of the polymer-membrane substrates and subsequently reacted to introduce amine moieties. Hydrated amines employed in industrial-scale absorption plants possess very high chemical affinity for CO2 by operating on the facilitated transport mechanism, in which diffusion is augmented by one or more chemical reactions. The team's materials design paradigm of introducing surface-grown aminated polymer chains on high-flux polymer substrates is comparable to a "lab on a chip," but can be more accurately envisaged as a "plant on a membrane." In the presence of water vapor, the surface-grown polymer nanolayer acts as a sponge to attract and concentrate CO2 molecules, which subsequently diffuse through the high-permeability substrate so that the CO2/N2 selectivity increases while the permeability is not significantly compromised. The result is a low-cost bifunctional hybrid-integrated (HI) membrane that simultaneously exhibits high CO2/N2 selectivity and high CO2 permeability, and that can be fit into existing membrane modules to selectively remove CO2 from mixed gas streams. This technology can be extended to H2 and CH4 purification, as well as O2 purification in biomedical devices and in confined environments (e.g., naval submarines, underwater facilities and extraterrestrial vehicles).
Platinum Medal (joint)
Prof Sir Andre Geim
Regius Professor & Royal Society Research Professor, The University of Manchester
In 2004, Konstantin Novoselov and Andre Geim isolated graphene, the first 2D material. This seminal discovery marked a paradigm shift in the realm of material science. Graphene’s unique properties provided a watershed and sparked a global “graphene gold rush”. Importantly, Novoselov and Geim subsequently produced other one-atom thick crystals, demonstrating the existence of an extensive family of 2D materials. Today, countless 2D materials have been theorized to exist, with several hundred realized experimentally (e.g. h-BN, TMDs). These materials have vastly diverse properties and are used in a wide variety of applications today.
Novoselov and Geim’s early works focused on the unique properties of graphene. Their pivotal contribution was the first categorization of graphene’s electrical properties. Graphene exhibits remarkable electron transport characteristics due to its unique band structure. Electrons in graphene mimic massless relativistic particles, giving them very high electron mobility, leading to their direct use in high-frequency electronics and optoelectronics. Novoselov and Geim also showed that graphene is transparent and exhibits unique light-matter interactions, with very flat absorption spectrum across visible and infrared. Graphene's absorption and transmission properties can be tuned based on the number of layers and doping levels, making it versatile for applications in optoelectronics and photonics. Graphene-based photodetectors have demonstrated capabilities which significantly exceed conventional Silicon-based photonics in sensitivity and tunability towards different wavelengths (down to THz). Together with other 2D materials, graphene is one of the most promising candidates for future, super-fast optoelectronic devices.
Using individual building blocks of different 2D materials, Novoselov and Geim developed novel artificial materials based on van der Waals heterostructures: individual 2D crystals stacked vertically, creating materials which cannot be found in Nature. The synergies of different materials allow the tailoring of their properties for specific applications, offering users a microscopic degree of control to achieve the required optimal performance. As a result, a diverse array of new materials and devices has emerged, making this one of the most extensively studied areas in material science and condensed matter physics today.
Major technological advances using graphene and other 2D heterostructures include customized printable electronics, highly sensitive and foldable mobile phone displays, and as a sustainable replacement for indium in OLED screens. Graphene-plastic composites are stronger, lighter, and most importantly: electrically and thermally conductive, making them ideal for use in automotive and aerospace industries. Novel 2D materials improve energy density and charging rates of batteries and supercapacitors, which are key to securing our future energy needs. Two-dimensional materials are employed in advanced filtration membranes, offering improved efficiency and durability in removing contaminants from water sources at a reduced cost. In the human-health domain, MIT researchers used thinner, graphene-based membranes to reduce the time required for dialysis.
The impact of graphene and 2D heterostructures has been and will continue to be immense. They are integrated into many technologies and innovations which impact and improve our lives. Novoselov and Geim’s fundamental contributions to the materials field will no doubt leave a lasting legacy worthy of the IOM3 Platinum Medal.
Platinum Medal (joint)
Prof Sir Konstantin Novoselov FRS
Langworthy Professor of Physics & Royal Society Research Professor, The University of Manchester | Tan Chin Tuan Centennial Professor, National University of Singapore
In 2004, Konstantin Novoselov and Andre Geim isolated graphene, the first 2D material. This seminal discovery marked a paradigm shift in the realm of material science. Graphene’s unique properties provided a watershed and sparked a global “graphene gold rush”. Importantly, Novoselov and Geim subsequently produced other one-atom thick crystals, demonstrating the existence of an extensive family of 2D materials. Today, countless 2D materials have been theorized to exist, with several hundred realized experimentally (e.g. h-BN, TMDs). These materials have vastly diverse properties and are used in a wide variety of applications today.
Novoselov and Geim’s early works focused on the unique properties of graphene. Their pivotal contribution was the first categorization of graphene’s electrical properties. Graphene exhibits remarkable electron transport characteristics due to its unique band structure. Electrons in graphene mimic massless relativistic particles, giving them very high electron mobility, leading to their direct use in high-frequency electronics and optoelectronics. Novoselov and Geim also showed that graphene is transparent and exhibits unique light-matter interactions, with very flat absorption spectrum across visible and infrared. Graphene's absorption and transmission properties can be tuned based on the number of layers and doping levels, making it versatile for applications in optoelectronics and photonics. Graphene-based photodetectors have demonstrated capabilities which significantly exceed conventional Silicon-based photonics in sensitivity and tunability towards different wavelengths (down to THz). Together with other 2D materials, graphene is one of the most promising candidates for future, super-fast optoelectronic devices.
Using individual building blocks of different 2D materials, Novoselov and Geim developed novel artificial materials based on van der Waals heterostructures: individual 2D crystals stacked vertically, creating materials which cannot be found in Nature. The synergies of different materials allow the tailoring of their properties for specific applications, offering users a microscopic degree of control to achieve the required optimal performance. As a result, a diverse array of new materials and devices has emerged, making this one of the most extensively studied areas in material science and condensed matter physics today.
Major technological advances using graphene and other 2D heterostructures include customized printable electronics, highly sensitive and foldable mobile phone displays, and as a sustainable replacement for indium in OLED screens. Graphene-plastic composites are stronger, lighter, and most importantly: electrically and thermally conductive, making them ideal for use in automotive and aerospace industries. Novel 2D materials improve energy density and charging rates of batteries and supercapacitors, which are key to securing our future energy needs. Two-dimensional materials are employed in advanced filtration membranes, offering improved efficiency and durability in removing contaminants from water sources at a reduced cost. In the human-health domain, MIT researchers used thinner, graphene-based membranes to reduce the time required for dialysis.
The impact of graphene and 2D heterostructures has been and will continue to be immense. They are integrated into many technologies and innovations which impact and improve our lives. Novoselov and Geim’s fundamental contributions to the materials field will no doubt leave a lasting legacy worthy of the IOM3 Platinum Medal.
Silver Medal
Dr Matthew Wadge MIMMM
Research Fellow, University of Nottingham
Dr. Matthew Wadge is a Research Fellow in Advanced Materials at the University of Nottingham (UoN). He holds a First-Class BSc (Hons) degree in Biomedical Materials Science (2017, UoN), and a Ph.D. in Materials Engineering and Materials Design (2020, UoN).
His research has primarily focussed on the production of thin film coatings via wet chemical and physical vapour deposition methodologies, specifically magnetron sputtering, for a plethora of different applications, including biomaterials, energy storage, and water treatment. His current work involves the development of new high-pressure, ambient-temperature intermetallic alloys for hydrogen storage systems for the cold food chain. Over the last 8 years, Matthew has made significant developments in advanced materials, from understanding their fundamental mechanisms through to potential end applications, such as biomaterials, energy, and additive manufacturing (AM). During his PhD, he was one of the first to highlight and prove gallium doping of titanate structures to enable a ‘two-in-one’ bioactive and antibacterial orthopaedic implant surface. This led to an EPSRC Doctoral Prize Fellowship (2020-21), demonstrating the self-assembly of titanate-converted microspheres into hierarchically-porous 3D constructs, highlighting a simple, low-cost methodology to produce complex structures for biomedical scaffolds. He was among the first to investigate magnetron sputtering to coat powders for AM, reducing laser reflectance and enabling a simple solution to noble metal (Ag/Cu) printing. Finally, he proved translation of titanate structures onto degradable materials (e.g. Magnesium) for bone fracture fixation. Matthew has developed several multi-national collaborations between both industry and academia, resulting in several high-impact publications.
He currently supervises 4 PhD students and researchers in the UoN Thin Films Laboratory as Lab Supervisor and has mentored over 25 Masters/Undergraduate students. His goal is to act as a role model to inspire many graduates to pursue careers in the field of materials science. As an Engineering Research Futures Representative, he has helped shape and improve research culture at Nottingham to be a more equitable, diverse and inclusive environment. Matthew has been the recipient of a number of prestigious prizes including The Armourers and Brasiers' Best PhD and Best BSc/BEng Student of the Year Awards (2020 & 2018, respectively), presentation prizes at both National (UKSB, Future Materials (IOM3)) and International (ESB and WBC) conferences, being named as one of '15 under 30' to look out for in Materials Science by Materials World, and being a National Finalist in the IOM3 Younger Persons' Lecture Competition (2019).
Matthew is highly engaged and committed to the promotion of STEM subjects, both within a university setting through seminars and lectures, as well as to the public through events, such as the 'Pint of Science' festival. He has delivered several presentations at IOM3 events, was the student representative for the East Midlands Materials Society, and has held significant positions in the organisation of the annual ‘Pint of Science’ festival, including Nottingham City Co-ordinator and National Creative Reactions Liaison. Through these roles, Matthew actively encourages the meld of art and science, and during his tenure, Nottingham boasted a sell-out festival, with over 1900 attendees: 3rd in the UK.
The Henry Royce Institute Award for Innovation by a Technical Professional
Dr Peter Karstev Petrov (Principal Research Scientist & Royce Technology Platform Lead, Imperial College, London)
The Henry Royce Institute for Outstanding Contribution by a Technical Professional
Dr Penelope Rathbone CEng FIMMM (Senior Technical Manager, Sellafield Ltd)
Contribution to Outreach
Robert Perrin Award
Dr Elizabeth Driscoll MIMMM
Sir Colin Humphreys Education Award
Gareth James
Robert Perrin Award
Dr Elizabeth Driscoll MIMMM
Post-docoral Research Fellow, University of Birmingham
Lizzie is a current Research Fellow at the University of Birmingham working within the battery field on the recycling of Li-ion batteries with Prof. Emma Kendrick. I was first introduced to Lizzie at the start of 2023, as she took up a committee position on the IOM3 Energy Materials Group (which I am chair of) to develop our social media channels, podcasts and outreach strategy – the latter topic I am aware of Lizzie’s dedication to and the number of fantastic resources she has devised to inspire the next generation of material scientists.
Lizzie completed her PhD in Autumn 2022 under Prof. Peter Slater’s supervision (University of Birmingham) in novel materials for Li-/Na-ion batteries – which quite unprecedented (and praised by her two external examiners) included a significant chapter on battery education and engagement, where resources (developed over several years) were devised on the side of her lab-based research.
The most notable resource is the 'Battery Jenga', where the classic garden tumbling tower block game was modified to look like the battery electrodes to allow for the teaching of Li-ion battery operation and characteristics. Following RNIB training in 2019, Lizzie has ensured her hands-on resources are accessible for students who are blind or visually impaired. The resource was first used in 2019 to inspire Year 8 girls into a STEM career, this was certainly not the sets only and final cameo. The demonstration prop has been used numerous times, from further classroom workshops for secondary school students to lectures: RSC Salter’s Festival Final 'Colourful Energy Scene' to 2022 Christmas lecture on 'Rudolph Goes Green'. The use of the set has been used extensively at science festivals too (supporting the Discover Materials outreach team): The Big Bang Fair, CoCoMAD science festival and ‘Meet the Experts’ at Birmingham’s ThinkTank Museum. In events she had led, she has ensured all participating members are prepared for the event.
She has continued to be proactive with disseminating battery and material education, and this is visible also in print form, with the ‘Battery Jenga’ and Li-ion battery recycling featuring in comic book Green Kid issue 3 and as the project lead for educational booklet SPLASH – to highlight energy materials, mineral resourcing, bio and microplastics, and sustainable living to students aged 12-14.
With Lizzie’s continued efforts for outreach, in September 2023, she single-handedly devised, organised and led an engagement evening “An Electric Future” for local college/A-level/GCSE students in the Birmingham area as part of the Faraday Institution’s national conference, to inspire future career pathways associated with the electrification of infrastructure. Her continued partnership with The Faraday Institution, has seen Lizzie take up a STEM training consultant role, to share her experiences, best practices and approaches in delivering effective and meaningful outreach. She has continued to be a voice of battery outreach at the University and beyond (Faraday Institution) network and instances where she hasn’t been able to attend, she has highlighted opportunities and has ensured other researchers have the resources and confidence to deliver the activities.
Sir Colin Humphreys Education Award
Gareth James
Lecturer, Cirencester College
Gareth teaches A Level environmental science and geology at Cirencester College. Teaching a range of topics including minerology, resources, and mining, to name a few. Within his time at Cirencester College, he has enthused countless numbers of his students with a passion for environmental science and geology, with many of his former students pursuing further education and careers within the fields.
Gareth is an outstanding teacher who is passionate, kind, and inspires the best out of his students. Within the classroom, Gareth’s lessons are exciting, engaging, and outside the box, often involving quizzes, practical elements, and inviting a friendly atmosphere of discussion. Heh has organised various fieldtrips to quarries, fish-farms, and places of geological and environmental interest. These fieldtrips were always brilliant, emersed us beyond the curriculum, and allowed us to appreciate science in practise. Furthermore, Gareth organised an annual residential for his students, with previous locations including the Isle of Wight and Tenerife, further inspiring a love for learning beyond the classroom!
Gareth’s commitment has always been greatly appreciated by his students, especially Gareth’s extensive feedback on exams and coursework. Gareth would hold extra sessions in his own time out of class for students to drop in, where he would individually help students. Outside of the taught curriculum, Gareth has continued to inspire students and encourage achievement, supporting teams of students to represent our college in the National Schools Geology Challenge over the years. Encouraging his students to improve and demonstrate their knowledge, presentation skills, and teamwork, as well as have a great time!
Gareth holds all the qualities of an excellent teacher and more; he is kind, patient, and funny, but most of all Gareth is passionate and through his passion and ability to share knowledge, Gareth has inspired many of us to pursue further education and careers in the geo-environmental sector. As Gareth’s former students, we agree that he has had a lasting impact on our education, careers, and lives and we would like to recognise and thank him for sharing his passion.
Technical Specific Awards
2023 Harvey Flower Titanium Prize (Retrospective)
Mr Nigel Martin CEng FIMMM (Technical Specialist – Titanium, Rolls-Royce plc)
Award for Innovation in Defence, Safety & Security Materials
Dr Nicholas Bazin FIMMM CChem CSci MRSC (Principal Scientist – Materials & Analytical Science, AWE)
Bessemer Gold Medal
Prof Mark Rainforth FREng CEng FIMMM (POSCO Professor of Iron & Steel, University of Sheffield)
Chapman Medal
Prof David Jones FREng CEng FIMMM (Pharmaceutical & Biomaterial Engineering Professor, School of Pharmacy, Queen’s University Belfast)
Frank Fitzgerald Medal & Travel Grant
David A Thomson MIMMM (Rolls-Royce plc)
Frank Paine Packaging Award
Anne Emblem (Retired Packaging Professional, Educator & Author)
Hancock Medal
Pulikaparambil Kochaidrew Mohamed (Chief Advisor, R&D Asia - Apollo Tyres Ltd)
Hadfield Medal
Dr Martin Brunnock CEng FIMMM (Director, Public Affairs, Tata Steel)
Leslie Holliday Prize
Frazer J Barnes (Chairman & CTO, Gen2Carbon)
Stokowiec Medal
Stephen Phillips (Technical Director, Sheffield Forgemasters)
Swinburne Medal
Prof Michael Shaver FIMMM FRSC (Polestar/Royal Academy of Engineering Chair in Sustainable Automotive Polymers)
Thomas Medal
Stephen Thornton (Scientific Fellow - Data Science & Analytics, Tata Steel)
Thornton Medal
The historical importance of Artificial Ground Freezing (AGF) in deep mine development | 11 International Symposium on Ground Freezing (London, UK)
Dr Frederick Auld FIMMM (Retired Consultant)
Tom Bell Surface Engineering Medal
Prof Ping Xiao CEng FIMMM (Research Chair in Advanced Coating Technology, University of Manchester)
Tom Colclough Medal
Prof Eric Palmiere CEng FIMMM (Professor of Metallurgy, University of Sheffield)
Verulam Medal
Dr Finn Giuliani MIMMM (Professor, Imperial College London)
Publication Awards
2023 Vanadium Award (Retrospective)
Evolution of the microstructure and mechanical properties of a V-containing microalloyed steel during coiling
Chen Gu, Colin Scott, Fateh Fazeli, Michael J Gaudet, Jing Su, Xiang Wang, Nabil Bassim & Hatem Zurob
Adrian Normanton Medal
Influence of heat flux difference between wide and narrow face in continuous casting mould on unevenness of hypo-peritectic steel solidification at off-corner
Dr Kohei Furumai, Dr Norich Aramaki & Dr Katsunari Oikawa
Alan Glanvill Award
Effect of Zn-nanoHA concentration on the mechanical performance and bioactivity of 3D printed PEEK composites for craniofacial implants
Dr Faisal Manzoor, Dr Atefeh Golbanga, Prof Alistair Mcllhagger, Prof Eileen Harkin-Jones, Dr Daniel Crawford, Elena Mancuso
Composite Award
Energy efficient out-of-oven manufacturing of natural fibre composites with integrated sensing capabilities and improved water barrier properties
Yushen Wang, Xudan Yao, Thomas D S Thorn, Shanshan Huo, Harshit Porwal, Mark Newton, Yi Liu, Dimitrios Papageorgiou, Emiliano Bilotti & Han Zhang
Guy Bengough Award
Monitoring corrosion rates with ER-probes: A critical assessment based on experiments and numerical modelling
Dr Federico Martinelli-Orlando & Prof Ueli Angst
James S Walker Award
Advanced Polymer Nanocomposites for Potential Sensing Applications
Ciaran Duffy (Queen’s University Belfast)
Mann Redmayne Medal C
Upgrading a Brahmaputra River sand from northern Bangladesh by flotation to produce a high-grade silica glass sand concentrate
Dr Md Aminur Rahman, Kevin J Davey, Graeme W Heyes, Warren J Bruckard, Graham J Sparrow, Dr Mark I Pownceby, James Tardio & Md Nazim Zaman
Materials World Medal
The sixth sense
Prof Sohini Kar-Narayan FIMMM (Department of Materials Science & Metallurgy University of Cambridge) & Dr Jehangir Cama (ArtioSense Ltd)
Pfeil Award
Highly wear resistant dual-phase (Ti-Zt-Nb-Hf-Ta)C/(Ti-Zr-Nb-Hf-Ta) B2 high-entropy ceramics
Annamária Naughton-Duszová, Dávid Medveď, Lenka Ďaková, Alexandra Kovalčíková, Peter Švec, Peter Tatarko, Hakan Ünsal, Pavol Hvizdoš, Pavol Šajgalík & Ján Dusza
Williams Award
CFD modelling of the off-gas system of HIsarna iron making process. Part 1: Model development using detailed reaction mechanism for post-combustion of CO-H2 mixture and carbon particles
Dr Ashkan Hosseini, Vinod Dhiman, Koen Meijer, Christiaan Zeilstra, Johannes Hage, Tim Peeters, Erik Offerman & Yongxiang Yang
Awards from other bodies
Beilby Medal & Prize
Dr Robert Hoye CEng CSci FIMMM (Associate Professor & RAEng Research Fellow, Department of Chemistry, University of Oxford)
Charles Hatchett Award
Electrochemically induced amorphous-to-rock-salt phase transformation in niobium oxide electrode for Li-ion batteries
Pete Barnes, Yunxing Zuo, Kiev Dixon, Dewen Hou, Sungsik Lee, Zhiyuan Ma, Justin G Connell, Hua Zhou, Changjian Deng, Kassiopeia Smith, Eric Gabriel, Yuzi Liu, Olivia O Maryon, Paul H Davis, Haoyu Zhu, Yingge Du, Ji Qi, Zhuoying Zhu, Chi Chen, Zihua Zhu, Radong Zhou, Paul J Simmonds, Ariel E Briggs, Darin Schwartz, Shyue Ping Ong & Hui Xiong
