Surrey Professor Receives Premier Excellence Award for Adhesion Research

Professor John F Watts from the University of Surrey recently received the 2008 Award for Excellence in Adhesion Science. Sponsored by 3M Company, the award was presented at the 31st Annual Meeting of the Adhesion Society in Austin Texas.

The Award is the Society’s premier award for outstanding achievements in scientific research relating to adhesion. The criteria for winning the Award include a scientific contribution that has significantly improved our understanding of the phenomenon of adhesion and a worldwide recognition of that achievement. Professor Watts’ research focussed on the innovative application of surface analysis methods to study the interfacial chemistry of adhesion, and ranges from fundamental studies of why adhesion occurs to leading edge studies related to the improvement of products at, or close to, market. This work has received significant industrial, as well as government, funding and has lead to the development of new products and processes for aerospace and other applications.

Upon receiving the award plaque inscribed with a description of his achievement, Professor Watts commented: “It is a great honour to receive this award and a tribute to talented staff and students involved in my research over the last three decades. It indicates the crucial role that surface analysis has to play in the understanding of adhesion phenomena.”

Posted April 24th,2008