Professor Saiful Islam and Dr Aron Walsh were both recognised in the latest round of awards to be announced by the RSC for their work into new sustainable energy materials. The annual RSC awards recognise achievements by individuals, teams and organisations in advancing chemical sciences.

Recipient of the 2013 Sustainable Energy Award, Professor Islam, was selected for his outstanding modelling studies into energy materials for new generations of lithium batteries and solid oxide fuel cells.

Commenting on the award, he said: “I am delighted to receive this award, and would like to acknowledge my fantastic research group at Bath. We are using state-of-the-art modelling techniques to develop sustainable materials for rechargeable batteries with potential use in new hybrid or electric vehicles.”

Royal Society University Research Fellow and Reader in the department, Dr Aron Walsh, who received the Harrison-Meldola Memorial Prize, was recognised for his work into the design of new compounds to convert solar energy. The prize is awarded to a scientist under the age of 32 for the most original and commendable investigation in chemistry.

On receiving his prize, Dr Walsh commented: “I am truly honoured to receive the prize. It is an exciting time to work in the Department of Chemistry, where the sense of community and excellence has really helped my research progress to this level.”

Our Centre for Sustainable Chemical Technologies, to which the Department of Chemistry is a key contributor, has rapidly become an important hub for sustainable chemistry in the UK.

Head of the Department and Director of the Centre for Sustainable Chemical Technologies, Matthew Davidson added: “On behalf of all colleagues in the Department and the Centre, I would like to offer my warmest congratulations to Saiful and Aron. It is always gratifying to receive national recognition for our research, but to have two such prestigious awards in one year in the area of energy materials is a special achievement, and one that highlights the strength in depth we have in sustainable chemical technologies.”