This News Release is also available in Spanish

Oviedo, Spain, 25 January 2007 -  At noon today, a press conference was held at the Borrad Room of the Hotel de la Reconquista in Oviedo as one of the events around the award living ceremony of the XVI DuPont Science Award.  The awardee, Angel Rubio Secades, was accompanied by the award’s jury President, Professor Santiago Grisolía.

Professor Angel Rubio obtained the award of the XVI edition due to his notable theorical contributions in areas of nanoscience and molecular nanotechnology, and more specifically, in the area of the nanotubes where he has done fundamental predictions about the mechanical, electronic, optical and magnetic properties of these nanomaterials and the applications of the same as components in material of high erosion or in molecular electronics.  His investigation has also influence in the field of biomolecules and their integration in molecular nanodevices.  Specifically, Professor Rubio has made very important theorical contributions in the study of the photo-physic processes and the optical activity of proteins and with DNA base, as well as its potential application to develop optical nanodevices.  Rubio is professor of the Material Physics department at the University of the Basque Country and researcher of the mixed centre CSIC-UPB for Material Physics.

“Nanotechnology will help us improve the quality of life in the areas of information technologies, renewable energies, catalysers in the automotive and domotic sectors amongst others.” assured professor Rubio.  He also added that Spaniards are leading the investigation in these areas, although many have to do it from abroad.  There’s high potential”

Professor Santiago Grisolía, President of the Jury of the DuPont Science Award emphasized the importance of nanotechnology in the development of new applications, essential for modern life.  “DuPont has again recognized the scientific work as an essential discipline for the integral development of our society.  In this occasion, a nanotechnologist symbolizes the efforts of many researchers to reveal what reality hides and make the best of all its potential.  Thanks to them and to private initiatives, the enigmas we had in the past become key of the future.”
 
Enrique Macián, General Manager of the DuPont site in Asturias said that “we need visionary minds, open and creative to resolve new problems that occur and that see further than the stereotypes and old political, social and business paradigms.  People with anxiety and ideals like Angel Rubio, to whom we can thank today for his contribution in the field of nanotechnology, that we are sure, will end up in high advantage solutions to the challenges of the present and future.” 

The DuPont Science Award was created in 1991 under the leadership of Nobel prize Severo Ochoa with the aim of stimulating the initiatives that report an important contribution to the advance in science and their applications.  DuPont Ibérica has been running this award for the past sixteen years, recognizing Spanish and Portuguese scientists that with their Works, have contributed to the advance of science.  Along these sixteen editions, the awards have gone to the following scientist: José Joaquín Barluenga (1991), Andrés Maldonado (1992), Manuel Elices (1993), Francisco José Balta (1994), Avelino Corma (1995), Pedro Miguel Etxenique (1996), Moisés Morán (1997), Carlos López-Otín (1998), Albert Grañena (1999), Juan Modolell (2000), Carlos Martínez (2001), María Carmo Fonseca (2002), Manuel García Velarde (2003), Sergio Moreno (2004) Jaume Veciana (2005) and Angel Rubio (2006)

DuPont is a science-based products and services company. Founded in 1802, DuPont puts science to work by creating sustainable solutions essential to a better, safer, healthier life for people everywhere. Operating in more than 70 countries, DuPont offers a wide range of innovative products and services for markets including agriculture and food; building and construction; communications; and transportation.