Professor Nigel John Mason
Department of Physics and Astronomy, The Open University
Nigel Mason has more than 20 years experience in both fundamental and applied experimental atomic and molecular physics. The major part of the applicant's research work has been in the study of the interaction of electrons and photons with molecules. Recent work includes the study of molecular formation in the interstellar medium and on planetary surfaces, with the development of a new field of 'Astrobiology'; The study of atmospheric processes linked to ozone depletion and global warming; the study of radiation damage of biomolecules including DNA by electron and photon impact; the study of plasmas used in the semiconductor industry and ozone generation in gaseous discharges and the development of techniques for monitoring microbial activity in food and its retardation by ozone exposure and the study of electron induced processing on surfaces related to nanotechnology.
The majority of this work continues to be funded by a series of Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC) Grants with additional support from the European Union and the British Council. Awarded a Royal Society University Research Fellowship (RSURF) at University College London in 1990, Dr N J Mason established the Molecular Physics Laboratory in 1995. In September 1998, upon the completion of his RSURF, he became a Lecturer and in 2000 a Reader within the highly successful Atomic, Molecular and Positron Physics group of the Department of Physics and Astronomy, University College London. In 2002 he was appointed Professor of Physics at the Open University. Author/Co-author of over 140 publications in refereed journals and over 350 conference papers, he is also author of a text book on 'Environmental Physics'. In 1997 in recognition of his standing in this field, he was elected chair of the European Physics Society Electron and Atomic Collisions group (EPSEAC) and in 2001 Chair of the Experimental Psychology Society (EPS), Atomic and Molecular Physics Division. He acts as an external expert for the US National Science Foundation (NSF) and US Department of Energy (DOE) serving on review panels for the future of radiation physics and Electron-Driven Processes: Scientific challenges and Technological Opportunities. He is currently co-ordinator of Framework V Network on Electron and Positron Induced Chemistry (2002-5) and co-ordinator of a European Science Foundation (ESF) Network on Collisions in Atom Traps (CATS); Chair of the EU COST Action on Radiation Damage and Director of a new ESF Programme on 'Electron Induced Processing at the Molecular Level' (EIPAM). In 1998 he was elected a Fellow of the Institute of Physics and Eurphys of the European Physical Society and in 1999 was appointed an Honorary Professor at the Institut fuer Ionenphysik within the University of Innsbruck, Austria. He is a member of the EPSRC College and serves on the international panel of the Royal Society.
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Framework agreement signed for pioneering Infrastructure Tariff
A new agreement that is expected to raise more that £300 million to help pay for the growth of Milton Keynes has been signed.
Top government official visits Milton Keynes
Communities and Local Government Permanent Secretary, Peter Housden, recently visited Milton Keynes to see how growth is developing in the 'new city' and in particular those areas where MKP is responsible for project delivery.
Annual Review 2006
The MKPC Annual Review is designed to update you on our activities and to highlight some of the year’s major achievements.
