From left to right: Adam Lowe (and child!), Eimear Conroy and Shuaifeng Hu
Members of the Department of Physics were recognised in this year’s Mathematical, Physical and Life Sciences (MPLS) divisional Impact Awards. Adam Lowe and Dr Eimear Conroy both received awards in the Technician Impact and Early Career Public Engagement with Research categories respectively while Dr Shuaifeng Hu was commended in the Early Career Commercial Impact category.
Technician Award: Adam Lowe
Adam Lowe, Head of Mechanical Engineering at the Department of Physics was recognised for his work in developing novel low mass composite materials for particle physics instrumentation. He has developed, patented, and licensed several innovative fabrication techniques with applications both in particle physics and beyond. A licensing agreement with an Oxfordshire-based company has enabled the establishment of a centre of excellence within the department, dedicated to advancing this technology.
The materials and methods he has pioneered support the use of ultra-lightweight composites in a wide range of new applications, including those requiring vacuum compatibility and high thermal resistance – making them particularly attractive to the aerospace and automotive industries. These developments have also led to transformative improvements in particle physics instrumentation, initially benefiting projects such as LHCb and Mu3e.
Within the Department of Physics, this technology has enabled the development of advanced support structures for particle physics experiments, significantly enhancing the precision of measurements in next-generation detector systems. The dramatically lower mass of these structures reduces disturbance to particle trajectories, enabling more accurate tracking.
These innovations have been patented and are now being commercialised through a licensing agreement with an external company. The company will manufacture lightweight structural, electromagnetic, and thermal shielding components for aerospace and automotive applications – delivering significant commercial benefits to both the university and the regional economy.
Professor Andrew Boothroyd, Head of the Department of Physics said: 'Adam exemplifies how advanced technical expertise brought into the University from industry can provide innovative solutions to the way science is done. His work also demonstrates how fundamental research can generate spin-offs that have impact in wider technological applications.’
Early Career Public Engagement with Research Award: Dr Eimear Conroy
Dr Eimear Conroy received the Early Career Public Engagement with Research Award for her work with the Big Data: ATLAS project. Over a period of 30 weeks, students learn analytical and coding methods used by particle physicists and develop skills such as statistical analysis. They are taught how to use Python to access and manipulate ATLAS data before developing a research idea of their own and preparing a presentation to showcase their work. The project brings together the Department of Physics, the Institute for Research in Schools (IRIS), and the Particle Physics Department at the Rutherford Appleton Laboratory (RAL).
The project is designed to support students with little or no prior experience in particle physics or computer programming and through the partnership, 518 students across the UK have engaged with real particle physics research – boosting their science capital and inspiring them to follow a career in STEM research.
Across two academic years (2023/24 and 2024/25), Big Data: ATLAS delivered meaningful and measurable impact on students' knowledge, skills, and aspirations. Evaluation data demonstrated that 66% of students were more aware of how STEM can help in the real world, 89% felt that people like them could be researchers, and 86% felt that research is an interesting career. Participating students from five UK schools submitted a peer-reviewed academic paper which was accepted by the European Physical Journal Plus.
'I am thrilled to see Eimear recognised for her brilliant work on Big Data: ATLAS,' comments Professor Daniela Bortoletto, Head of Particle Physics. 'Her energy and creativity have inspired young students to discover the power of big data and physics, reminding us how outreach can spark the next generation of scientists.'
Professor Andrew Boothroyd, Head of the Department of Physics, adds: 'The Big Data: ATLAS project is a superlative example of highly effective science outreach. Eimear has been involved in all aspects of the project from conception to delivery, and through her energy and skill was instrumental to its success. She has had a sustained role in the project throughout her Oxford DPhil and postdoc in the Department of Physics, and hence the impact has been generated while she has been a member of MPLS. Evidence for the impact she has made on the many hundreds of participants is clear from the information above. This is an extraordinary achievement which I endorse fully.'
Early Career Commercial Impact Award - commended: Dr Shuaifeng Hu
Dr Shuaifeng Hu was commended in the Early Career Commercial Impact category for his work in advancing perovskite photovoltaic technology – an emerging solution for the global clean energy transition. By focusing on ‘narrow-bandgap’ perovskites, which absorb visible and infrared light, and developing innovative chemistry-based approaches along with device physics, he achieved a record 23.6% efficiency for single-junction solar cells in 2021, leading the field for over two years.
The methodology developed also enabled perovskite-on-silicon tandem photovoltaics to surpass 34% efficiency, a commercialised technology. In 2024, he developed nearly 30% record efficiency double- and triple-junction and the first-ever quadruple-junction ultra-thin (less than 3 micrometres) photovoltaics, fully eliminating the need for energy-intensive silicon (over 150 micrometres).
The research has set new benchmarks in solar energy efficiency and has made impacts that accelerate the global shift toward sustainable, cost-effective renewable energy solutions.
Professor Andrew Boothroyd, Head of the Department of Physics, said: ‘Shuaifeng has made significant advances towards the goal of high efficiency perovskite photovoltaics for solar cell applications. This is clearly a field which is of the utmost importance to the generation of renewable energy and amelioration of climate change.’