Andre Geim is a Nobel Prize-winning condensed matter physicist and co-discoverer of graphene, a two-dimensional form of carbon with numerous remarkable properties. He has also conducted important work on magnetic levitation and contributed to the development of adhesives modelled on the climbing mechanisms of geckos.
Amongst his numerous contributions to the study of magnetic phenomena, Andre’s work on semiconductor physics has been particularly influential. The discovery of the so-called paramagnetic Meissner effect — in which semiconductor samples attract magnetic fields when cooled rather than expelling them as would be traditionally expected — has in particular led to an explosion of interest in the field.
Andre has won many of the most prestigious awards in his field, including the 2007 Mott Prize, the Royal Society’s Copley Medal, and — most notably — the 2010 Nobel Prize in Physics for his work on graphene. He has also received knighthoods from both the Netherlands and the United Kingdom and is currently Regius Professor of Physics at the University of Manchester.
Subject groups
- Astronomy and physics
Quantum theory, Magnetism
Awards
Copley Medal
For his numerous scientific contributions and, in particular, for initiating research on two-dimensional atomic crystals and their artificial heterostructures.
Hughes Medal
For his revolutionary discovery of graphene, and elucidation of its remarkable properties.
Nobel Prize in Physics
Jointly with Konstantin Novoselov for groundbreaking experiments regarding the two-dimensional material graphene.
