26 March 2014

The 2014 Torkil Holm Prize goes to talented nanoscience researcher

33-year-old Gemma Solomon has been awarded the 2014 Torkil Holm Research Award for Chemistry for her molecular electronics research. The award ceremony took place in connection with the Torkil Holm Symposium arranged by the Danish Academy of Technical Sciences (ATV), on January 24-25, 2014.

Extraordinary contributions to the molecular electronics field

The 50,000 Danish kroner prize is awarded annually to a younger researcher who has already established his or her credentials as an independent investigator in any area of chemical science and who shows great promise for further scientific development. The basis for awarding Gemma Solomon was her extraordinary contribution to nanoscience research within the understanding of molecular electronics.

Electrical components at the molecular level

Molecular electronics are a branch of nanoscience research, in which one tries to find molecules that can function as electronic components when current is run through them.

Together with her research team, Gemma Solomon has achieved exciting results by using what is known as destructive quantum interference, in which one shuts current off with the help of individual molecules. The aim is to use chemistry to work towards the discovery of molecules that can conduct current without creating heat and perhaps even cool a system.

Australian/Danish supertalent

Gemma Solomon was born in Perth, Western Australia and now lives in Denmark where she works at UCPH’s Nano-Science Center under the Department of Chemistry. She has also been selected for the Sapere Aude programme, the Danish Council for Independent Research’s career programme for exceptionally talented researchers.