Jun 9 2006
A new Chair in energy materials is being created at Imperial College London in memory of fuel cell pioneer Professor Brian Steele MBE.
Professor Steele, who worked in the Department of Materials at Imperial College for 37 years, was instrumental in the development of solid oxide fuel cells. He was also a founding member of spin-out company Ceres Power, which is commercialising fuel cell technology.
The new Chair, which will be the first named Chair in the Department of Materials, has been made possible thanks to a generous donation to the Department from Professor Steele's family. The College is now looking for a high profile, internationally-leading researcher to take up the post in October.
The Chair acknowledges Professor Steele's leading work on fuel cells, which convert fuels such as natural gas or hydrogen into energy by combining them with an oxidant. Where the cells are fuelled by hydrogen, the only products are energy and water, so they have the potential to provide an efficient and environmentally friendly power source. Solid oxide fuel cells, which work at high temperatures, are particularly suited for stationary applications such as providing heat and power for buildings.
Professor Bill Lee, Head of the Department of Materials, said: "This is a really fitting tribute to Professor Steele and his work. Brian Steele was one of the early champions of solid oxide fuel cells and one of the few people in Europe to continue research in this area in the late 80s and early 90s. His work laid the foundations for the current world wide growth in solid oxide fuel cell research and commercialisation. We're pleased to have the opportunity to bring someone into the Department to work in energy materials, which is an important area of great current interest".
Professor Steele came to Imperial College in 1957 as a Nuffield investigator, undertaking postgraduate study in solid electrolytes. He joined the academic staff in 1965 after being awarded a doctorate for his work on galvanic cells for thermodynamic studies. He became Professor of Materials Science in 1981 and stayed in the Department of Materials until his retirement in 1994. Professor Steele died in 2003 aged 74.
"This Chair is a very appropriate way to honour Brian and his pioneering work", said Professor of Materials Science John Kilner, who worked with Professor Steele from 1978 onwards. "Brian was considered to be one of the founding fathers of the field of Solid State Ionics, an essential element of the study of materials for energy applications for devices such as batteries and fuel cells.
"He was also a great champion of Materials Science and started the first undergraduate course in the College and went on to inspire a generation of students in this new subject. For his efforts to promote the subject nationally he was awarded the MBE in 1996", added Professor Kilner.
The BCH Steele Chair in Energy Materials is advertised today in the Times Higher Education Supplement.
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