IRL scientists scoop PM’s Science Prize

IRL scientists scoop PM’s Science Prize

Two of New Zealand’s pre-eminent scientists, whose work enabled the creation of a new, high-value industry for New Zealand, were today jointly awarded the inaugural Prime Minister’s Science Prize.

IRL scientists Dr Bob Buckley and Dr Jeff Tallon, who are world-leading experts in the field of high temperature superconductivity (HTS), received the award and prize money of $500,000, of which $400,000 will go to IRL for the continued development of the technology.

Dr Jeff Tallon is responsible for leading fundamental research into HTS. “It is wonderful to be recognised through this new award which I feel acknowledges the world-leading efforts of the entire team. Bob and I have had wonderful support over the years in assisting us in our research.”

Superconductivity is a phenomenon whereby some materials, when cooled, conduct electricity with no resistance or energy loss during the transmission process. Far more efficient at transmitting energy than copper, superconducting materials have long been considered to have the potential to revolutionise the way we use and distribute energy.

Since their discovery around 100 years ago, the barrier to using superconductors in industry has been the very cold temperatures required and the associated cost of cooling them. Traditional low temperature superconductors only become operational at the temperature of liquid helium (-269 Celsius) and the cost associated with this is prohibitive for industrial use. In the 1980s Drs Buckley and Tallon discovered a new ceramic compound that began to superconduct at comparatively warm temperatures (-163 Celsius) that enabled the use of liquid nitrogen as a coolant.

This significantly less expensive method of transmitting electricity with no resistance was an exciting development that made the pages of prestigious international journal, Nature. After patenting their discovery, the pair (in collaboration with a growing team of scientists and engineers at IRL and predecessor organisation DSIR) spent the next twenty years refining their techniques and working on applying this new technology for industrial use.
Dr Buckley, who manages the development of the technology for commercial use at IRL, says he was excited to hear he had jointly won the award.

“Winning this award shows that science is now being recognised for the contribution it makes to New Zealand’s future economic well-being. While we are proud of the scientific achievements we have made, the real payoff for New Zealand will be witnessed in the next decade as HTS technology starts to make an impact in the global marketplace,” he says.

New Zealand is now at the forefront of the emerging global HTS industry and the work of Drs Buckley and Tallon has resulted in the formation of HTS-110, which develops powerful HTS magnets for industrial applications and General Cable Superconductors (GCS) – a Joint Venture between IRL and General Cable that develops HTS winding cable for customers around the globe.

GCS CEO Andrew Priest says Drs Buckley and Tallon created the impetus for establishing an HTS industry in New Zealand. "The challenge is to build on this competency with New Zealand-based, internationally competitive businesses, leading the commercialisation of HTS applications."

IRL Chief Executive Shaun Coffey congratulated both Dr Tallon and Dr Buckley for their dedication to the advancement of a field of science “they can legitimately claim to be world leaders in.

“It is wonderful that this recognition has come in the form of this new and prestigious award – an award that will I am sure elevate the importance of science in the eye of the public.

“New Zealand’s current level of prosperity is based firmly on a foundation of world-class science and over the coming decades research in fields like HTS will continue to underpin our economic growth.”

ENDS

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