Member Article

Sunderland professor scoops major award

A North East professor has been given a major international award for his work in attracting some of the world’s top electronic businesses to Sunderland.

Alan Clegg, who is Professor of Applied Magnetics at the University of Sunderland, has been awarded the prestigious IEC 1906 Award by the International Electrotechnical Commission based in Geneva – and is one of only two academics in the UK to receive the award this year.

The award was given in recognition of his international work in the formulation of Magnetic Standards for the specification, testing and classification of magnetic materials. The work of the Magnet Centre has attracted a number of high-profile clients to the Sunderland-based institution, including Thai Airways, Rolls Royce and Hewlett Packard.

Prof Clegg said: “It’s a great honour for both myself and the Magnet Centre to receive such a prestigious award. “It is a little known fact that magnets play a huge role in our everyday lives. There are over five hundred magnets in the average UK house, and over 300 in the average car, and each one must be tested and passed for safe usage. To have our work recognised in ensuring the safety and reliability of these materials is a wonderful accolade.”

Professor Clegg will receive his award at a ceremony at the Institution of Electrical Engineers in London on November 22.

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by Ruth Mitchell .