Easterfield Medal – in recognition of quality and originality in research in chemistry: awarded by the New Zealand Institute of Chemistry to Dr Richard Tilley from Victoria University of Wellington.
Citation: Dr. Tilley’s research lies in the field of materials science and the syntheses and characterisation of nanoparticles.
The solution synthesis of inorganic nanocrystals, or nanoparticles, provides a powerful method to control both their size and shape, which can lead to the formation of materials with unique and specific chemical and physical properties. The shape- and size-dependant properties of these nanoparticles include superparamagnetism, and the tuneable luminescence of quantum dots. Hence, the control of nanocrystal shape is currently one of the major challenges in synthetic chemistry. To this end, the Tilley group has gained considerable knowledge in the influence on nanoparticle growth of surfactants that control the morphology.
Tilley’s group is now recognised as world leaders through their development of three different methods for nanoparticle preparation that has allowed them to synthesise a wider range of novel materials. A particular feature of Tilley’s work is his specialisation in high-resolution electron microscopy as a technique for the detailed characterisation of nanoparticles. Also notable in the Tilley approach to research has been his willingness to seek collaboration with colleagues overseas, including groups in the UK, Japan and the United States.
