Alloys Earn Kyoto Prizes

Observations: Cosmic Microwaves and Alloys Earn Kyoto Prizes: "The Inamori Foundation announced this year's Kyoto Prizes on June 24." The Advanced Technology prize went to materials scientist John W. Cahn of the U.S. National Institute of Standards and Technology.Cahn earned the Advanced Technology prize through his work on alloys. One of his theories allowed engineers to craft alloys with specific characteristics, such as strength and heat resistance, to best fit them for precise functions. In addition, he helped develop the Cahn-Hilliard equation, which describes the phase separation of a wide variety of materials, from water to galaxies. Every year, the Inamori Foundation awards the Kyoto Prizes to those around the world who have made "significant contributions to the betterment of society."