Robin Grimes facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Sir Robin Grimes FRS FREng
Grimes in 2018
Alma mater	University of Nottingham (BSc) Case Western Reserve University Keele University
Scientific career
Fields	Materials physics
Institutions	Imperial College London Ministry of Defence Foreign and Commonwealth Office
Thesis	Quantum mechanical and classical modelling of defects in metal oxides. (1988)
Doctoral advisor	Richard Catlow

Sir Robin William Grimes is a leading British scientist. He specializes in nuclear science and technology. He works as a top scientific adviser for the Ministry of Defence (MoD) in the UK. He is also a professor of materials physics at Imperial College London. From 2013 to 2018, he was the chief scientific adviser for the Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO). Since 2021, he has been the Foreign Secretary of The Royal Society, a famous group of scientists.

Becoming a Scientist

Robin Grimes went to school at King Edward VI Camp Hill School for Boys. This school is in Birmingham, England. He then studied at the University of Nottingham and Case Western Reserve University. He earned his PhD degree from Keele University in 1988. A PhD is a very high university degree that shows you are an expert in your field. His research was guided by Professor Richard Catlow.

What Robin Grimes Researches

Professor Grimes uses powerful computer simulations and high performance computing (HPC). This means he uses very fast computers to create virtual models. These models help him predict how materials like ceramics, metals, and semiconductors behave. He studies these materials for energy uses.

He looks at tiny flaws, called atomic scale defects, in materials. He figures out how these tiny flaws change the material's properties. For example, he studies how well a material can conduct heat. He also looks at how atoms move through solid objects. While he is well-known for studying materials used in nuclear power, he also works on other systems. These include electrochemical systems, which involve chemical reactions that produce electricity. He also studies materials used in optical (light-related) and electronic devices.

Science and Diplomacy

Robin Grimes helped create "science diplomacy" within the Foreign and Commonwealth Office. This means using science to build stronger relationships between countries. He made science a key tool for the UK's diplomatic efforts. He uses scientific evidence and networks of scientists to encourage international cooperation. This helps place science at the heart of important global partnerships. He also plays a big role in the academic community that studies nuclear power.

Awards and Special Recognition

Professor Grimes has received many important awards. In 2013, he became a Fellow of the Royal Academy of Engineering (FREng). This is a high honor for engineers. In 2018, he was elected a Fellow of the Royal Society (FRS). This is one of the highest honors for scientists in the UK.

In 2022, he was made a Knight by the King. This means he can use the title "Sir" before his name. He received this honor for his work in making the UK stronger and for improving international science relationships. In April 2022, Aston University in Birmingham gave him an honorary doctorate. This is a special degree given to people who have achieved great things.