2023 Barrer Award
Dr Andrea Laybourn, University of Nottingham
For outstanding contributions towards developing the sustainable synthesis of porous materials, with a particular emphasis on microwave and continuous flow synthesis.
Professor Laybourn’s research focuses on making and optimising porous materials using continuous flow microwave technologies. Porous materials contain holes in their structure and so they are excellent at 'soaking up' molecules, much like a sponge. Andrea’s research group is particularly interested in a class of porous materials known as metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) which comprise metal nodes/clusters and linkers made from organic molecules. By changing the metal nodes/clusters and linkers and their combinations, it is possible to tailor the structures and properties of MOFs for a range of applications, such as mitigating environmental pollution by capturing pollutants, or as catalysts in chemical reactions, or for use in drug delivery.
| Year | Name | Institution | Citation |
| 2020 | Dr Camille Petit | Imperial College London | Awarded for innovative work on porous nanostructures for applications in the energy and sustainability sectors. |
| 2017 | Dr David Fairen Jimenez | University of Cambridge | Awarded for his outstanding and imaginative work in porous materials for gas adsorption and drug delivery applications, including the formation of spin-out companies |
| 2014 | Dr Luis Gomez-Hortiguela | The Institute of Catalysis and Petrochemistry | Awarded for his outstanding predictive computational studies of templating and reactivity of microporous materials. |
| 2011 | Professor Geoffrey Ozin | University of Toronto | Awarded for his major contributions to fundamental scientific & technological advances in the field of nanoporous materials. |
| 2008 | Dr Ben Slater | University College London | Distinguished for his innovative contributions to the development and application of computer modelling techniques to the science of microporous materials, especially relating to the surface properties of these materials and to the mechanisms of crystal growth. |
| 2005 | Dr Robert Raja | University of Cambridge | Distinguished for his outstanding contributions to preparative materials chemistry and their application to industrial catalysis. |
| 2002 | Professor Russell E Morris | University of St Andrews | Distinguished in recognition of his creative approach to the design of new porous architectures. |
| 1999 | P A Wright | ||
| 1996 | P A Anderson | ||
| 1996 | M W Anderson | ||
| 1990 | M M J Treacy | ||
| 1987 | L B McCusker | ||
| 1983 | A Araya |
Re-thinking recognition: Science prizes for the modern world
This report is the result of an independent review of our recognition programmes. Our aim in commissioning this review was to ensure that our recognition portfolio continues to deliver the maximum impact for chemical scientists, chemistry and society.