Prestigious physics prize for Southampton professor

University of Southampton professor Timothy Leighton has been awarded the Institute of Physics' Paterson Medal and Prize 2006.

The award is for Professor Leighton's contributions to the field of acoustics in liquids, in particular to biomedical ultrasonics, acoustical oceanography, cavitation and industrial ultrasonics.

Timothy Leighton is Professor of Ultrasonics and Underwater Acoustics at the University's Institute of Sound and Vibration Research. He commented: "It is a great honour to receive this award from such a prestigious body as the Institute of Physics. I am delighted that my fields of interest (physical acoustics, biomedical ultrasonics, acoustical oceanography) have been recognised in this manner.

"It is particularly pleasing to be associated with a medal named after Sir Clifford Paterson, who was President of the Institute of Physics 1937-39 and founder of the GEC Research Laboratories, as I firmly advocate an approach to problems which begins with the fundamental physics, and then follows the problem through to engineered solutions in environmental, biomedical or industrial applications."

In its citation for Professor Leighton the Institute commented: "Timothy Leighton's contribution is outstanding in both breadth and depth. He is an acknowledged world leader in four fields relating to acoustics in liquids: biomedical ultrasonics, cavitation, acoustical oceanography and industrial ultrasonics. He has delivered more than 70 pioneering advances, from devices used in hospitals to the world's first count of bubbles in the surf zone (crucial to understanding atmosphere-ocean gas flux, coastal erosion and the optimisation of military sonar)."

This Wednesday (19 October) Professor Leighton will be giving a public lecture about his work in the Turner Sims Concert Hall at the University's Highfield Campus. The title is From seas to surgeries: Bubble acoustics. All are welcome to attend, no tickets are required. The lecture starts at 4pm.