THE men behind a scientific instruments company have become the first Britons to win an international award in their specialist area.
Dr Keith Bowen and Professor Brian Tanner, of Durham-based Bede plc, have won the Charles S Barrett Award for exceptional contribution to powder diffraction.
They will receive the accolade at an international gathering of scientists in Denver, Colorado, later this year.
Bede was launched at the University of Durham in 1978 to supply scientific instruments to universities. It is now a global supplier of x-ray metrology tools to the semiconductor industry.
Professor Tanner said: "This award is indicative of the superior technology implemented in each Bede x-ray metrology tool, in order to satisfy the needs of today's advanced semiconductor technology.
"We have come a long way since creating this company from its original base as a project within the university in 1978.
"The award is therefore testimony to how such partnerships, combined with academic excellence, can benefit the regional and national economy."
Dr Bowen said: "Professor Tanner and I have dedicated the past 30 years to the advancement of non-destructive x-ray metrology techniques, such as high-resolution x-ray diffraction."
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