/ Medals and awards

Royal Society Armourers & Brasiers' Company Prize

This award is made for excellent use-inspired research on structural or functional materials that is both fundamental and for the benefit of society.

  • Opening date

  • Closing date

  • Winners announcement

    Exact date TBC

The award

The Prize was established with support from the Worshipful Company of Armourers & Brasiers', a livery company originally comprised of armourers and brass workers. The first award was made in 1985.

The Royal Society Armourers & Brasiers' Company Prize is awarded biennially (in even years), for excellence in basic research in functional or structural materials where the research is clearly motivated by use of these materials. The concept of 'use-inspired basic research' describes research seeking fundamental understanding that is motivated or inspired by considerations of practical use. The medal is of silver gilt, is awarded biennially and is accompanied by a gift of £2,000. 

Eligibility

The Royal Society Armourers and Brasiers’ Company prize is open to UK/Commonwealth/Republic of Ireland citizens or those who have been residents for three or more years. It is restricted to mid-career to senior scientists and nominations will remain valid and shall be considered by the award selection committee throughout three nomination cycles. 

Nominations are closed

Nominations will reopen in December 2025.

2024 winner

  • Dame Molly Stevens DBE FREng FRS

    Dame Molly Stevens DBE FREng FRS

    Dame Molly Stevens DBE FREng FRS was awarded the 2024 Royal Society Armourers & Brasiers' Company Prize for pioneering nanomaterials for ultrasensitive disease diagnostics and advanced therapeutic delivery, for the benefit of individuals and society at a global level.

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Past winners

  • Iain McCulloch
    Awarded in 2022

    Professor Iain McCulloch FRS

    For making fundamental contributions to the application of materials chemistry to organic electronic applications, with an applied, results-oriented focus, always demonstrating translational impact and commercial potential.
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    Awarded in 2020

    Professor George Smith FRS

    For his pioneering and leading the development of engineering alloys through the invention and application of the three-dimensional atom probe, making profound contributions to basic understanding and industrial applications.
  • Steven Armes
    Awarded in 2018

    Professor Steve Armes FRS

    For his pioneering development of colloidal nanocomposite particles. He has demonstrated many applications; his fruitful collaborations with companies has inspired three successful commercial products.
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    Awarded in 2016

    Professor Neil Alford MBE FREng

    For his outstanding contributions to materials research with benefit to society, especially the development of ultra-low-loss microwave dielectrics for communications.
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    Awarded in 2014

    Professor Ivan Parkin

    In recognition of his insight, synthesis, development and commercialisation of coatings. In particular inorganic-oxide self-cleaning coatings for windows and anti-microbial coatings to combat hospital acquired infections.
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    Awarded in 2012

    Professor Jenny Nelson FRS FInstP

    For her theoretical insight into the many factors affecting the fabrication and performance of organic photovoltaics, which has led to the rational design of these devices and related photodetectors based on organic semiconductors.
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    Awarded in 2010

    Professor Philip Withers FRS FREng

    In recognition of his pioneering use of neutron and hard x-ray beams to map stresses and image defects in industrial scale components and devices.
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    Awarded in 2009

    Professor Anthony Kinloch FREng FRS

    In recognition of his outstanding work in adhesion science and technology.
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    Awarded in 2007

    Professor Alan Windle FRS

    In recognition of his work in the areas of liquid crystalline polymers, computational modelling, and carbon nanotubes.
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    Awarded in 2005

    Professor John Kilner

    In recognition of his work in Solid Oxide Fuel Cells (SOFCs). His fundamental work has been focused on the control of oxygen transportation in ceramic materials, and most recently in applying this in his development of solid oxide fuel cells.
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    Awarded in 2003

    Professor Derek Fray FREng FRS

    In recognition of his outstanding contribution to work in the fields of extractive metallurgy and materials chemistry, in particular for his leading role in the development of the FCC process for the reduction of titanium and other metals from their oxide
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    Awarded in 2001

    Professor John Hunt

    In recognition of his outstanding and wide-ranging and definitive theoretical and experimental research on solidification of materials, and for his contributions to industrial casting processes.