Engineering Dean awarded 2024 Castner Medal

Professor Nigel Brandon OBE FREng FRS was awarded the Castner Medal today by the Electrochemical Technology Group of the Society of Chemical Industry

Professor Brandon is the 24th recipient of the Medal since it was first awarded in 1947.

Professor Brandon’s award was given in recognition of his research in electrochemical technologies for the low carbon energy transition. He is the founder of three companies in the sector: Ceres Power, RFC Power and M-SPIN.

The award was given at a ceremony in Manchester, where Professor Brandon gave a lecture on the topic "From Bench to Business: Innovations in Electrochemical Technology for the Low Carbon Energy Transition".

On receiving the award, Professor Brandon said: "It is a real privilege to receive this award, recognising the great work that so many students, colleagues and collaborators have been involved in. I am also delighted to follow in the footsteps on my PhD supervisor, Professor Geoff Kelsall, who received the Medal in 2007."

The award is named after Hamilton Castner, best known as a pioneer in the field of industrial electro-chemistry. He found a better process for caustic soda manufacture, resulting in the now world-famous mercury cell for the electrolysis of brine. His process was patented in 1892 and was soon established in many parts of the world, making full use of SCI connections. 

The Society of Chemical Industry was formed in 1881 by prominent scientists, inventors and entrepreneurs of their day, who went on to form products, processes and companies that propelled society forward.