Colin Humphreys facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Sir Colin Humphreys
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Colin Humphreys in Cambridge, 2015
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Colin John Humphreys
24 May 1941 |
| Education | Luton Grammar School |
| Alma mater | Imperial College London (BSc) University of Oxford (MA) University of Cambridge (PhD) |
| Awards | A. A. Griffith Medal and Prize (2001) Queen’s Medal (2022) |
| Scientific career | |
| Fields | Materials science Graphene Gallium Nitride Electron microscopy Science and religion |
| Institutions | Queen Mary University of London University of Cambridge Royal Institution |
| Thesis | Aspects of multiple beam electron diffraction and X-ray diffraction topography (1969) |
| Doctoral students | Amanda Petford-Long |
Sir Colin John Humphreys (born 24 May 1941) is a British physicist. He is a top scientist who studies materials. He also enjoys studying the Bible in his free time.
He is currently a professor at Queen Mary University of London. Before that, he was a professor at the University of Cambridge and the Royal Institution in London. He also led the Institute of Materials, Minerals and Mining for two years. His research focuses on looking at tiny things with powerful microscopes. He also studies special materials like gallium nitride, materials for super hot things like rockets, and superconductors.
Contents
Education
Colin Humphreys went to Luton Grammar School. He then studied at Imperial College London and the University of Oxford. He earned his PhD degree from Churchill College, Cambridge in 1969. A PhD is a very high university degree.
Career and Research
Semiconductors
Sir Colin is a materials scientist. This means he studies how different materials work. He has done important work on materials called semiconductors. These materials can control how electricity flows.
His research on a material called gallium nitride (GaN) is very important. This material helps us understand how to use it in many technologies. GaN can be used in tiny electronic parts called transistors. These are like the "brains" of computers.
GaN also makes a bright light. This makes it perfect for energy-saving LED lights. Sir Colin helped create cheap and efficient GaN-on-silicon LEDs. These new lights are now being made using his ideas. Using GaN LED lighting could save a lot of money on electricity bills.
Biblical Studies
Sir Colin also studies the Bible. He uses his scientific skills to look at historical events mentioned in the Bible.
Date of the Last Supper
In 2011, Sir Colin wrote a book called The Mystery of the Last Supper. In it, he suggested that the Last Supper happened on a Wednesday. Many people traditionally believe it was on a Thursday. He thinks the different dates in the Bible stories come from using different calendars. Some writers used an older Jewish calendar. Others used a newer one. A Wednesday Last Supper would give more time for events before the crucifixion on Friday. He suggested the actual date was 1 April 33 AD.
Eclipse and the Sun Standing Still
In 2017, Sir Colin and Graeme Waddington wrote a paper. They looked at the Bible story where the sun seemed to stand still. This happened during a battle in the book of Joshua. They suggested it was caused by a special type of solar eclipse. This eclipse happened on 30 October 1207 BCE.
Awards and Honours
Sir Colin Humphreys has received many awards for his work.
- In 1996, he became a Fellow of the Royal Academy of Engineering.
- He won the Institute of Physics Kelvin Medal and Prize in 2000.
- In 2001, he received the A. A. Griffith Medal and Prize.
- He was given the CBE award in 2003. This was for his great work in science and for sharing science with others.
- In 2010, he was made a Knight. This means he can be called "Sir."
- In 2011, he became a Fellow of the Royal Society. This is a very high honour for scientists.
- In 2015, he was made an Honorary Fellow of the Royal Microscopical Society.
