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Abstract

Mercer Innovation awards The first senior Brian Mercer award for innovation with a value of around £250 000 has been made to Professor Christopher Hall at the University of Edinburgh for a three year project on a new surface chemistry approach to the durability and conservation of building stone. Professor Hall said that the scientific core of this work would be to try to understand the micromechanics of chemical damage in stone. ‘I feel that this research will lead to a rather simple but novel technology for conserving heritage buildings and even preventing damage to new buildings in which stone is used.’ In the longer term, Hall’s research may help in improving durability in concrete as well as have an impact on how scientists view chemomechanical processes in many contexts, from landform weathering to oilfield engineering. The first post-doctoral Brian Mercer Awards for Innovation have been awarded to: Dr Alan Arthur at the University of Birmingham to demonstrate the viability of processing biodegradable material in place of conventional plastic parts used in domestic appliances; and to Dr Ambrose Taylor at Imperial College of Science, Technology and Medicine to develop materials that will increase safety and efficiency in the manufacture of aircrafts, automobiles, and trains. The Royal Society received £10 million from the estate of the late Brian Mercer FRS to support innovation in scientific, engineering and technological fields, which were of interest to him. Further information from: Soccy Ponsford or Bob Ward, Press and Public Relations, The Royal Society, London SW1, tel. 020 7451 2508/2516, email press@royalsoc. ac.uk.