Imperial scientist wins top award for discovery that will change the future of electronics

Professor Russell Cowburn scoops the Degussa European Science-to-Business Award 2006 - News

A scientist who has shown that magnetic microchips can store hundreds of gigabytes of information has been awarded the Degussa European Science-to-Business Award 2006.

The 'spintronic' microchips, which work by using the spin of electrons - as opposed to the charge of electrons which forms the basis of traditional electronics - will be able to store massive amounts of data on a tiny chip. Currently, storing such levels of data requires the use of a hard disk, which can be bulky and which needs access to a large battery power source. Spintronic microchips would mean that portable devices such as mobile phones, PDAs, and iPods would be able to store vast quantities of image, audio and video files, whilst remaining very small and light.

Professor Russell Cowburn  from Imperial College London's Department of Physics was given the award on 11 September 2006 for both his scientific work and his business plan to spin out the new technology for commercial use. The award consists of a 100,000 Euro cash prize and the opportunity to attend a business management course at INSEAD, a leading French business school. Professor Cowburn will also receive business planning consultancy services from INSEAD to help with his plan to commercialise the spintronic technology.

Professor Cowburn said: 'My research has proven that spintronic microchips are a workable proposition, which has huge implications for the way everyday electronics devices will work in the future. As mobile technology develops, people are looking for ways to store ever-larger numbers of files on their iPods and phones, and the small, spintronic chips will enable them to do this on thin, lightweight devices.

"I'm delighted to have been given this Degussa award, which recognises not only the scientific importance of spintronics, but the viability of my plans to take this technology to the commercial market."

German chemical company Degussa launched the Science-to-Business award in 2006 to reward young top scientists, who have undertaken outstanding innovative research with excellent commercialisation potential, in the field of material sciences and related technologies at research facilities in Europe.

The award's goal is to provide significant financial and conceptual support to these scientists and their outstanding research work. In addition, the award aims to further strengthen Europe's position in key technologies and the consequent transformation of scientific knowledge into innovation and commercial success.

Professor Cowburn's spintronic research was funded by Ingenia Holdings Ltd and the European Union's Sixth Framework programme.

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