Agilent Technologies Inc. (NYSE: A) announced Gareth Alun Morris,
professor of physical chemistry at the University of Manchester as the winner
of the 2011 Russell Varian Prize.
The prize is awarded to a researcher based on a single innovative
contribution proven to have a significant impact on state-of-the-art nuclear
magnetic resonance (NMR) technology. Morris was awarded this year's prize for
his seminal paper, "Enhancement of Nuclear Magnetic Resonance Signals by
Polarization Transfer," published in 1979 in the Journal of the American
Chemical Society.
"The Russell Varian Prize is one of the highest accolades
that the international NMR community can bestow," said Morris. "The list
of former recipients contains some of the most distinguished names in physics
and chemistry, to whom I have looked up throughout my research career, and it
is a great and a most unexpected honor to join them."
The professor's work provided the basis for the development of
insensitive nuclear enhancement by polarization transfer (INEPT), which was
originally devised for signal enhancement in liquid state NMR of insensitive
nuclei such as carbon-13 and nitrogen-15, by broadband polarization transfer
from proton spins. Since its inception, INEPT has evolved into a major
component of modern multidimensional NMR techniques, with applications in
liquids, liquid crystals and solids. The impact of INEPT has made it an
indispensable component of the NMR toolkit.
Morris's contributions to the knowledge of NMR techniques include
more than 180 publications on the topic, and his laboratory continues to refine
NMR methods to assist researchers in the fields of chemistry, biochemistry and
medicine.
"We are pleased to recognize professor Morris for his
significant scientific contributions to the field of NMR, enabling scientists
in laboratories around the world to improve the intensity of signals for their
chemical and biochemical analysis," said Regina Schuck, Ph.D., general
manager of Agilent's Research Products Division.
The Russell Varian prize honors the memory of the pioneer behind
the first commercial nuclear magnetic resonance spectrometers and co-founder of
Varian Associates. The company was later purchased by Agilent.
"The Russell Varian Prize has a long tradition of recognizing
the best innovators and researchers in NMR," said Schuck. "Now a part
of Agilent Technologies, we look forward to continuing the tradition of
recognizing the top researchers around the world."
About
Agilent Technologies
Agilent Technologies Inc. (NYSE: A) is the world's premier
measurement company and a technology leader in chemical analysis, life
sciences, electronics and communications. The company's 18,500 employees serve
customers in more than 100 countries. Agilent had net revenues of $5.4 billion
in fiscal 2010. Information about Agilent is available at www.agilent.com.