The Nicholas Kurti Science Prize for Europe

Oxford Instruments NanoScience is proud to sponsor the Nicholas Kurti Science Prize for Europe for research in physical science. The Prize celebrates its 13th anniversary this year.

The objective of this Science Prize is to promote and recognise the novel work of young scientists working in the fields of low temperatures and/or high magnetic fields in Europe. Oxford Instruments is aware that there is a critical and often difficult stage for many between completing their PhD and gaining a permanent research position. The company therefore would like to help individuals who are producing innovative work by offering assistance both financially and through promotion of their research work.

All candidates should be nominated by a senior member of their department or Institute.

The prize is awarded by a committee of senior academics based throughout Europe.

The Nicholas Kurti Science Prize consists of:

• €8,000 cash prize
• a certificate and trophy
• support to attend a conference in Europe

We are pleased to announce Dr Philip Moll of Max Planck Institutes, Germany as the 2018 winner of the Nicholas Kurti Science Prize. Congratulations!  Read more here 

Nicholas Kurti 

The European prize for physics is named after Professor Nicholas Kurti (1908-1998). Professor Kurti is known for his distinguished work in ultra-low temperature physics at the Clarendon Laboratory, Oxford University. In fact, this location earned the name “the coldest spot on earth” as a consequence of the ground-breaking research conducted there. Using nuclear demagnetisation in conjunction with helium dilution refrigerators of nuclear alignment, Professor Kurti was able to create temperatures of a millionth of a degree above absolute zero.

There is a strong connection between Oxford Instruments and Professor Kurti. Sir Martin Wood, the founder and deputy chairman of Oxford Instruments, held the Senior Research Officer position at the Clarendon Laboratory in the 1950s with responsibility for the engineering facility of the high magnetic field section of the laboratory which was directed by Nicholas Kurti. When Professor Kurti retired, he decided to apply his low temperature physics knowledge to the kitchen. He created a new science, Molecular Gastronomy, the application of scientific principles to the understanding and improvement of small scale food preparation. Chefs, scientists and food writers around the world have developed the subject since his death in 1998.

Oxford Instruments NanoScience would like to thank Mrs Giana Kurti for her agreement to name the prize after her late husband.