17 March 2008

Nobel Prize winner in Dundee

The University of Dundee Physics Department is hosting a week long visit from Nobel Prize winner Professor Zhores Alferov.

Professor Alferov won the Nobel Prize in Physics in 2000 for his work on heterostructures, devices which have been influential in driving forward the modern information age, including technological applications in high speed transistors and laser diode devices that control the flow of information on the internet, as well as well as energy converting devices such as the solar cells on the MIR space station.

During his visit he will be meeting the Dundee physics, engineering and renewable energy students, and delivering two public lectures. On Wednesday 19th March in the D’Arcy Thompson Lecture Theatre, he will be speaking on ‘Albert Einstein and the Development of Quantum Electronics.’ On Thursday 20th in the New Teaching Block Lecture Theatre, he turns his attention to energy with his talk ‘Heterostructures in energy transformation.’ Physics scholars from the local schools in Dundee and surrounding area have been invited to attend and the lectures should be of interest to everyone, from school pupils to academics.

Professor Alferov will start his week by visiting the Sensation Science Centre, where he will be greeted by the Junior Board who will doubtless ask searching questions and entertain the visitor with their skills as they show off the exhibits. His visit to the University includes a tour of the Life Sciences unit at Dundee, with talks on Physics allied to Life Sciences. He will also be meeting senior figures from the Energy sector.

As well as his work in Physics, Professor Alferov is also a very senior political figure in Russia, and sits in the State Duma. He will undoubtedly visit the Scottish Parliament when he includes a visit to Edinburgh in his busy week.

Professor Anne Anderson, Vice Principal of the College of Art, Science and Engineering is delighted to host the visit. ‘This visit reflects the excellent work that we are doing in Physics and Engineering at Dundee, and we are very much looking forward to discussions with such a distinguished visitor on Optoelectronics and Physics allied to life sciences where Dundee is making a real impact.’

Professor Alferov was awarded an Honorary Degree from Dundee in 2005, and has looked forward to a visit where he can again enjoy the City’s hospitality, and perhaps find time to view the spectacular landscapes in the surrounding area.

Wednesday 19th March 08 - 2pm - D’Arcy Thompson Lecture Theatre, Tower Building, University of Dundee - Albert Einstein and the Development of Quantum Electronics

Thursday 20th March 08 - 2pm - New Teaching Block, Old Hawkhill, University of Dundee - Heterostructures in energy transformation

For media enquiries contact:
Anna Day
Press Office
University of Dundee
Nethergate Dundee, DD1 4HN
TEL: 01382 384768
E-MAIL: a.c.day@dundee.ac.uk