Cyril Hilsum facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Cyril Hilsum
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Hilsum at the Second International Conference on Research and Communications in Physics
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| Born | 17 May 1925 |
| Nationality | British |
| Alma mater | University College London |
| Known for | liquid-crystal science and technology |
| Children | Lindsey Hilsum and Karen Burt |
| Awards | FREng (1978) Max Born Prize (1987) Faraday Medal (1988) Richard Glazebrook Medal and Prize (1997) Royal Medal (2007) |
Cyril Hilsum is a famous British scientist and professor. He was born on May 17, 1925, which means he is 100 years old! He is known for his amazing work with electronics and for helping to create new technologies. In 1983, he became a member of the National Academy of Engineering because he was so creative and good at bringing new types of electronic materials, called semiconductors, into use.
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Cyril Hilsum's Life and Career
Cyril Hilsum started at Raine's Foundation School in 1936. He was the middle of three brothers. In 1943, he went to University College London to study for his science degree.
Early Work and Research
After college, Cyril joined the Royal Naval Scientific Service in 1945. He then moved to the Admiralty Research Laboratory in 1947. In 1950, he transferred to the Services Electronics Research Laboratory (SERL). He stayed there until 1964. After that, he moved to the Royal Radar Establishment.
Awards and Recognition
Cyril Hilsum has received many important awards for his work. In 1978, he won the Heinrich Welker Memorial Award. He was also chosen as a Fellow of the Royal Academy of Engineering. In 1979, he became a Fellow of the Royal Society. He also became an honorary member of the American National Academy of Engineering.
In 1983, he became the chief scientist at GEC Hirst Research Centre. He won the Max Born Prize in 1987. The next year, in 1988, he received the Faraday Medal. From 1988 to 1990, he was the president of the Institute of Physics.
In 1990, he was given a special honor. He was made a Commander of the Order of the British Empire (CBE). This was for his great contributions to the electrical and electronics industry. In 1993, a famous photographer named Nick Sinclair took his picture. This photo is now kept at the National Portrait Gallery in London.
In 1998, he received the Richard Glazebrook Medal and Prize from the Institute of Physics. He is the only scientist to have won both this medal and the Faraday Medal.
Later Contributions
Cyril Hilsum has also advised many important groups. These include Cambridge Display Technology and the European Commission. In 2007, he received the Royal Society's Royal Medal. This award was for his many amazing contributions. It also recognized his continued work for industry, government, and universities.
Today, Cyril Hilsum is the chairman of the scientific board for Peratech. He is also a visiting professor of physics at UCL. He helps with the Defence Scientific Advisory Council. He supports the Karen Burt Memorial Award. This award is named after his daughter. It is given each year to a talented woman engineer. The award celebrates women who have become chartered engineers. It also recognizes those who help promote the engineering profession.
Amazing Discoveries and Inventions
While working for the Ministry of Defence, Cyril Hilsum helped create new uses for a material called gallium arsenide. He was also responsible for building the UK's first semiconductor laser. This laser uses special materials to create light.
Understanding Electronics
He was one of the scientists who developed the Ridley-Watkins-Hilsum theory. This theory helped explain how a device called the Gunn diode works. His research also helped create the basis for modern LCD technology. LCDs are used in many screens, like those on your phone or computer. His work brought in over £100 million for the UK government!
Honoring His Work
The British Liquid Crystal Society gives out a special award each year. It is called the Cyril Hilsum Medal. This medal is given to British scientists. It recognizes their overall contributions to the science and technology of liquid crystals.
Cyril Hilsum's Family Life
Cyril Hilsum is married to Betty Hilsum. They have two daughters. One daughter is Lindsey Hilsum, who is a correspondent for Channel 4. Their other daughter was Karen Burt, an engineer who passed away in 1997. The Women's Engineering Society has a memorial award named after Karen.
Books by Cyril Hilsum
Cyril Hilsum has also written several books about science:
- Semiconducting III-V Compounds (1961)
- Liquid Crystals (1985)
- Device Physics (1993)
- Communications After AD2000 (1993)
