Three researchers from the Department of Energy's Oak Ridge National Laboratory (ORNL) have been recognized for their exceptional contributions to physics, each named a Fellow of the American Physical Society (APS) - one of the highest honors an academic can receive in their field. APS fellowship is awarded to those who have made substantial advancements in the realm of physics, whether through research, application, or education, and this year, Valentino Cooper, Howard Wilson, and Jiaqiang Yan have joined the ranks of these esteemed individuals.
Valentino Cooper, helming the Materials Theory, Modeling, and Simulations section at ORNL, has been acknowledged for his work with theoretical and computational methods that reveal advanced materials' structural, electronic, and magnetic properties, as reported by ORNL. His research is key to the development of future energy and information technologies, delving into materials at the most minute levels while he also directs the DOE-funded Energy Frontier Research Center on Fast and Cooperative Ion Transport in Polymer Electrolytes, FaCT.
Howard Wilson earned his fellowship for his expertise in magnetic fusion devices, focusing on plasma turbulence and instabilities that impact reactor performance. His career has spanned an international scope, from the U.K.'s York Plasma Institute to his position as the Fusion Pilot Plant R&D lead at ORNL in the United States. Wilson has championed a unified approach to revolutionize fusion energy delivery, aiming to harness ORNL's extensive capabilities in various scientific and technological fields.
Lastly, Jiaqiang Yan from ORNL's Correlated Electron Materials group is celebrated for his seminal work in synthesizing and characterizing new materials, specific attention given to his research on quantum spin liquids, cleavable topological magnets, and high-entropy oxides; his numerous citations ranking him in the top 1% in his field underscore the broader significance of his contributions to our understanding of quantum materials, as described by ORNL.
APS limits its Fellow nominations to a fraction of its membership annually, emphasizing the selectivity and distinction of the recognition. The newly named ORNL Fellors will officially receive their certificates during the next APS meeting scheduled in spring 2024. ORNL, a hub for scientific innovation and knowledge generation, operates under the guidance of UT-Battelle for the DOE's Office of Science, the nation's largest funder of physical sciences research, tasked with addressing some of the most complex and urgent scientific challenges of our times.
