An engineering science researcher pioneering cheaper and more efficient solar energy is among nine Canberra scientists to score an Australian Academy of Sciences award.
Associate Professor Kylie Catchpole has won the inaugural John Booker Medal in Engineering Science for her decade-long contribution to solar energy research.
She was among eight ANU academics and one Canberra-based CSIRO scientist to receive an award.
But it will be another six months before she formally accepts the honour at the academy's three-day celebration of science, Science at the Shine Dome, in Canberra in May.
Her work focuses on the use of nanotechnology to develop thinner but more efficient solar cells with less material.
"When you do that you tend to reduce the amount of light that is absorbed by the solar cells just because it's thinner," Dr Catchpole said.
"What we've done is put some tiny metal particles on the surface of the solar cell. What it does is act like a little antenna, directing light into the solar cell and helping the solar cell absorb the light better."
Dr Catchpole, who leads a 10-strong research team, said she was surprised but pleased to win the $3000 prize.
"The recognition does help us show the importance of the work we're doing - that in turn helps us bring more money into this research," she said.
"We're putting this technology into industrial types of solar cells and we're also working on some new concepts that can lead to much higher efficiencies."
Australian Academy of Sciences ANU winners:
Associate Professor Kylie Catchpole - John Booker Prize for engineering science
Professor Denis Evans - David Craig Medal for research in chemistry
Professor Alan McIntosh - joint winner of the 2015 Hannan Medal for mathematical sciences
Professor Graham Farquhar AO - 2016 Macfarlane Burnet Medal and Lecture for scientific research at the highest level in biological sciences
Dr Nerilie Abram - 2015 Dorothy Hill Award for female researchers in earth sciences
Dr Scott Morrison - joint winner of the 2015 Christopher Heyde Medal for mathematical sciences
Robyn Shaw and PhD student Melissa Wynn - co-winners of the Margaret Middleton Fund for endangered Australian native animals
Australian Academy of Sciences CSIRO Canberra winners:
Dr Renee Catullo - co-winner of the Margaret Middleton Fund for endangered Australian native animals
