David D. Awschalom has been elected to the European Academy of Sciences. The academy, which elects relatively few non-European scientists, bases its selections on pioneering new research fields that have substantial scientific impact.
Awschalom, the Liew Family Professor in Molecular Engineering, is known in Europe and around the world for his pioneering research in spintronics and quantum information science. Spintronics specialists manipulate the spin of electrons and nuclei to devise new methods for advanced computing, medical imaging, subatomic memories, encryption and other technologies. His patents include one for quantum computing, an experimental computer technology that would greatly outperform modern digital computers.
Awschalom’s international activities include serving on the scientific advisory boards of the Centre for Research on Adaptive Nanostructures and Nanodevices in Dublin, the Swiss Nanoscience Institute in Basel, and the Center for NanoScience in Munich. His many honors include the Europhysics Prize from the European Physical Society as well as the International Union of Pure and Applied Physics Magnetism Prize and Néel Medal. He also is a member of the National Academy of Sciences and the National Academy of Engineering.
—Prof. Jacqueline Stewart