Local research physicist wins Commons prize

Wednesday 23rd March 2011, 2:29PM GMT.

From the left: BP chief scientist Ellen Williams, Dr Ian Chapman and Professor Dame Jocelyn Bell Burnell, president of the Institute of Physics. 1112712

A GUERNSEY-born physicist has struck gold in a competition at the House of Commons for the excellence of his scientific research.

Dr Ian Chapman, 28, an early career researcher at Culham’s Centre for Fusion Energy in Oxfordshire, won the Cavendish Medal and £3,000 after presenting his physics research to more than 100 politicians and a panel of expert judges as part of Set for Britain.

His research shows how physicists at Culham are helping to develop a clean, long-term energy source via nuclear fusion, which involves heating fuel to temperatures over 100,000,000C and using magnets to control the super-hot plasma.

His work was judged against that of 29 other shortlisted physicists.