Derek Fray facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Derek Fray
FRS FRSC FREng
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|---|---|
| Born |
Derek John Fray
26 December 1939 |
| Education | Emanuel School |
| Alma mater | Imperial College London (BSc, PhD) |
| Awards | Beilby Medal and Prize (1981) |
| Scientific career | |
| Fields | Materials Science |
| Institutions | University of Cambridge |
| Thesis | The conductance of molten salts at constant volume (1965) |
Derek John Fray, born on December 26, 1939, is a famous British scientist. He is known for his work in Materials Science. He is also a professor at the important University of Cambridge.
Contents
Learning and Early Life
Derek Fray went to Emanuel School when he was younger. After that, he studied at Imperial College London. There, he earned two degrees: a Bachelor of Science (BSc) and a PhD. A PhD is a very high university degree.
Career and Discoveries
Professor Fray worked at the Department of Materials Science and Metallurgy, University of Cambridge. From 1996 to 2014, he was a Professor of Material Chemistry. He was also a Director of Research there. Since 2015, he has been a Distinguished Research Fellow. He is also an Emeritus Professor of Materials Chemistry. This means he is a respected retired professor.
The FFC Cambridge Process
One of Professor Fray's biggest inventions is the FFC Cambridge process. He created this process with Tom Farthing and George Chen. This special method uses electricity to turn metal oxides into pure metals. Metal oxides are like rust, but for other metals. This process helps make new metals and alloys. Alloys are mixtures of metals.
The FFC Cambridge process is now used by a company called Metalysis. This company started from the University of Cambridge. It uses Professor Fray's invention to make new materials.
Sharing Knowledge and Inventions
Professor Fray has written more than 450 scientific papers. These papers share his research with other scientists. He also has 350 patents. A patent protects an invention, so others cannot copy it without permission.
Many of his inventions have been used by new companies. These companies are called "spin-out" companies. Professor Fray helped start some of them. Examples include Metalysis, EMC, Camfridge, Chinuka, and InotecAMD.
Awards and Special Honors
Professor Fray has received many awards for his important work.
- In 1981, he won the Beilby Medal and Prize.
- In 2011, a special meeting was held in his honor. It was called a symposium.
- An award called the Fray International Sustainability Award was created to honor him. He also received this award in 2011.
- In 2008, he became a Fellow of the Royal Academy of Engineering (FREng).
- Also in 2008, he was elected a Fellow of the Royal Society (FRS). Being a Fellow of the Royal Society is a very high honor for a scientist in the UK.
