Top physicist Ben Eggleton named the new director at University of Sydney Nano Institute

Award-winning Sydney physicist Ben Eggleton has been named head of one of Australia’s most prestigious scientific research organisations — director of Sydney Nano — the University of Sydney Nano Institute.

Professor Ben Eggleton at the University of Sydney Nano Institute.

• How you can make a contribution to marine science
• Mystery over starry toadfish washing up at Sydney beach

A FORMER student at Balgowlah Boys’ High School, has been named head of one of Australia’s most prestigious scientific research organisations.

Award-winning physicist Ben Eggleton, who grew up at Manly Vale, is the new director of Sydney Nano — the University of Sydney Nano Institute.

Professor Eggleton’s staff at the institute — it has 150 researchers — is working on a range of projects including the future construction of incredibly tiny “nanobots” that could revolutionise healthcare and improve the treatment of cancer and diabetes as well as neurological disorders and pulmonary diseases.

Inside the Clean Room at the University of Sydney Nano Institute.

Researchers are also investigating the creation of “quantum” computers that can process data and come up with a solution to what are now impossible problems up to 100 million times faster than any traditional computer today.

Nanoscience is the study of the structure and function of materials on a nano scale — one millionth of a millimetre long — about the size of 10 atoms lined in a row.

Experiments at Sydney Nano can last just a trillionth of a second.

Prof Eggleton’s speciality is research into photonic chips that use light instead of electricity.

They could potentially be used, for example, to allow a mobile phone to instantly scan a drop of blood looking for diseases.

The University of Sydney Nano Institute.

On its website, Sydney Nano declares that “nanoscale science and technology are now profoundly reshaping all sectors of industry: in energy and the environment; health and medicine; and communications, computing and security”.

A 2007 photo of Prof Ben Eggleton (left) when he helped develop a CUDOS Photonic Chip with researchers at the University of Sydney and the Australian National University.

“At Sydney Nano we like to say that the next big step will be seriously small.”

Prof Eggleton has been awarded a number of prizes, including NSW Scientist of the Year (Physics and Astronomy).

“I am incredibly excited about this new role and thrilled that the university has asked me to lead this wonderful new institute,” he said.

“Sydney Nano will change the direction of Australian science — nanoscience will impact on both fundamental research and the very fabric of our society.”