Dr Sam Stranks, from the Department of Chemical Engineering and Biotechnology, has been awarded the 2021 Philip Leverhulme Prize in Physics in recognition of his work’s “international impact” and “exceptionally promising” future career.
Dr Stranks's research focuses on the optical and electronic properties of emerging semiconductors for low-cost, transformative electronics applications, including light-harvesting (such as photovoltaic) and light-emission (such as LED) devices.
In particular, he has made a number of pioneering contributions to the development of halide perovskite semiconductors, which are showing enormous potential as next-generation solar cells. Recently, he and his group have been pushing characterisation techniques to understand the photophysics and structure of these materials on the nanoscale – revealing sites that lead to power losses in the solar cells and therefore guiding new approaches to improve the efficiency and reliability of the devices.
The £100,000 prize is offered to researchers at an early stage of their careers whose work has had international impact and whose future research career is exceptionally promising. The funding can be used for any research purpose.
‘It is a tremendous honour to receive a Leverhulme Prize,” said Stranks. “I see it as a real testament to the work we’ve been building up over the last few years, and so a huge credit for this prize goes to my group members — such an inspiring bunch and an absolute pleasure to work with them all. I have also been fortunate to have supporting mentors along my career so far.
“I plan to use the prize funds to open new lines of research in the group, including exploring quantum technologies and further strengthening links with facilities including Diamond Light Source.”
“The prize is a huge distinction for Sam and his group and testament to the extraordinary talent we are lucky to have at CEB,” said Professor Clemens Kaminski, Head of the Department of Chemical Engineering and Biotechnology at the University of Cambridge.
“Sam’s research, as indeed most of the work going on in CEB, is set out to address global challenges and to find technological solutions to ensure a sustainable future. I am thrilled to see Sam’s work recognised in this way.”
Awarded by the Leverhulme Trust, Philip Leverhulme Prizes have been offered since 2001 in commemoration of the contribution to the work of the Trust made by Philip Leverhulme, the Third Viscount Leverhulme and grandson of William Hesketh Lever, the founder of the Trust.
“I am delighted that we have been able to award these prestigious prizes to such a stunningly talented group of academics,” said Professor Anna Vignoles, Director of the Leverhulme Trust.
“This round was more competitive than ever and the judges had an incredibly difficult task. This is evident from the achievements of the winners, who are working on a very diverse set of topics, from the physics of dark matter to climate science, from research into policing and inequality through to participatory art.”