Sep 28 2005
Collaboration between scientific disciplines is the key to finding solutions to major world challenges, according to Imperial College London's new head of the Department of Materials.
William Lee, whose appointment is announced today, believes that materials science in particular has a unique role to play in pushing forward the interdisciplinary research that enables important breakthroughs to be made. He says:
"Materials is crucial to a technology-based institution because it underpins all other disciplines. It's the glue that holds everything else together, which means it has to be strong."
Ranging across metals, ceramics and glasses as well as 'smart' and nanomaterials, materials research at Imperial has a wide range of applications, from health and quality of life to energy and the environment. Professor Lee, currently professor of ceramic science and engineering at the University of Sheffield, believes this broad nature will give the discipline an increasingly vital role.
"Everyone wants to live longer and enjoy good health, and there is a lot we can now do to improve quality of life," he comments. "Biomaterials, for instance, is very strong at Imperial and has potential for even greater growth and contribution to health in the future.
"There is also a great deal that materials scientists can contribute to cleaning up the environment and finding ways to pollute less - dealing with toxic waste, reducing carbon emissions and developing clean fuels are just a few examples."
Welcoming him to Imperial, Julia King, Principal of the Faculty of Engineering, said: "Leading the Department of Materials requires great depth and breadth of knowledge, both of the subject itself and of the wider arena in which it operates. With his experience and enthusiasm, Bill Lee fits this requirement perfectly and we are delighted that he is coming to Imperial to lead the department to even greater successes."
Professor Lee is professor of ceramic science and engineering and director of the Immobilisation Science Laboratory at the University of Sheffield. He will take up the post at Imperial in January 2006, taking over from Professor John Kilner who became head of department in September 2000.
http://www.imperial.ac.uk