A NORTH-EAST academic has been hailed as one of the UK's top younger scientists.
Dr Russell Cowburn, of Durham University's physics department, was awarded the 2003 Westminster Medal and £500 at the annual Science Week reception, at the House of Commons.
He was recently promoted by Durham University to the academic grade of Reader in Physics, only one step away from professor, at the early age of 31.
His work in the emerging field of nanotechnology has already drawn wide international attention, particularly for his work with nanomagnets.
His display for the awards showed his research group's work on small magnets, for use in mobile phones and laptop computers, and as high security tags in passports, credit cards and other applications.
Durham's vice-chancellor, Sir Kenneth Calman, said: "Dr Cowburn has earned the all-round congratulations of his colleagues. We are proud of his achievement and wish him continued success.
"It is cutting-edge technology that promises some very exciting developments."
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