Professor Cyril Hilsum CBE FREng FRS

Cyril Hilsum is noted for contributions to two important fields of science and their applications. He published some of the earliest papers on electronic transport in indium antimonide and gallium arsenide, compounds central to our understanding of the physics of semiconductors and also in yielding useful devices. His most distinguished contribution occurred in the study of hot-electron effects, where he predicted the existence of negative resistance effects through the transfer of conduction electrons from one minimum of the energy band structure to another. This research led directly to miniature radar systems, and to sources of terahertz radiation.

Concerned at the incompatibility with miniradar of the conventional display, the cathode ray tube, Cyril turned his attention to flat panel electronic displays. He led the RSRE/University of Hull/BDH team which invented the first stable liquid crystals, cyanobiphenyls. These, supplied worldwide, made possible numerous new and improved electronic systems, including the laptop computer. He made many personal contributions, including the first LCD pixel driven by amorphous silicon thin film transistors, the basis of LCD televisions today.

Subject groups

  • Astronomy and Physics

    Condensed matter incl softmatter, liquids, nano-materials, Lasers and optoelectronics

  • Engineering and Materials Science

    Opto-electronics (inc lasers, optical microscopy/imaging, fibre optic component), Materials science (incl materials engineering)

Awards

  • Royal Medal

    For his many outstanding contributions and for continuing to use his prodigious talents on behalf of industry, government and academe to this day.

  • Clifford Paterson Medal and Lecture

    On 'Electronic displays: the link between man and microcircuit'.

  • Philips Lecture

    On 'Does industrial R&D pay?'.

Professor Cyril Hilsum CBE FREng FRS
Elected 1979
Committees Participated Role
Research Grants Committee: Physical Sciences January 2024 - December 2026 Member
Newton Advanced Fellowships Panel (Physical) January 2015 - March 2020 Member
Hooke Committee January 2014 - December 2016 Member
Industry Fellowships Joint Panel January 1997 - December 2006 Member
Research Appointment Panel A(ii) January 1996 - December 1997 Member
Council December 1982 - November 1984 Member