Professor Saiful Islam, from the Department of Chemistry, this week received a Royal Society Award for his research into new materials for the next generation of green energy devices.

The prestigious Wolfson Research Merit Award recognises Professor Islam’s outstanding contributions in developing compounds for rechargeable lithium batteries and ceramic fuel cells, and will provide up to five years’ funding for innovative studies of new battery materials for potential use in electric cars.

Jointly funded by the Wolfson Foundation and the Department for Business, Innovation and Skills (BIS), the Royal Society Awards aim to provide universities with additional support to enable them to attract science talent from overseas and retain respected UK scientists of outstanding achievement and potential.

Commenting on the award, Professor Islam said: “I am delighted to receive this award from the Royal Society, and I would like to acknowledge the fantastic contributions from my research group – past and present.

“We are using advanced computational techniques to understand the performance of new materials, which lies at the heart of the development of green energy technologies. Indeed, developing new materials holds the key to cheaper and better rechargeable batteries for hybrid or electric cars, which will help reduce carbon emissions.

“My research group will continue to work with outstanding experimental collaborators and hopefully unlock the door to new families of lithium and sodium battery materials with a step change in performance”.

Head of the Department of Chemistry, Professor Matthew Davidson added: “On behalf of all colleagues in the Department, I would like to offer my warmest congratulations to Saiful and his research group. It is always gratifying to receive recognition for our research and this award is further testament to the excellence in energy materials research that takes place in Bath.”

Professor Jane Millar, Pro Vice Chancellor for Research, said: “This is a real achievement. A Wolfson Research Merit Award signals excellence and innovation in research. I am very pleased to see Professor Islam's contribution recognised in this way”.