51³Ô¹ÏÍø

An intra- and inter-university collaboration has resulted in an award for 51³Ô¹ÏÍø academics.

, Dean of the Faculty of Natural Sciences, and , Head of the Department of Chemical Engineering, have won the 2026 John Ockendon Prize from the European Journal of Applied Mathematics (EJAM).

The John Ockendon Prize was established for EJAM in 2016 and is awarded every two years to the best paper published in EJAM over that period, as voted by the Editorial Board.

The award was given for their paper “" with collaborator from the University of Bristol.

Professor Matar said:

“Many modern technologies rely on thin layers of soft materials that must dry without warping, cracking, or peeling. Our research provides one of the first comprehensive descriptions of how drying fluids interact with flexible surfaces, allowing us to predict when and how these failures occur. The findings could help improve the manufacture of products ranging from advanced coatings and flexible electronics to biomedical materials, ultimately leading to more efficient production processes, less waste, and more durable technologies.

I am delighted and honoured to share the Ockendon Prize with my collaborators, Dr Hennessy and Professor Craster.”

Professor Matar is the and will take up the post on 1 October 2026.