Professor John William White has been honoured for his contribution to the field of physical chemistry using neutron scattering, and for his scientific leadership and mentoring.

Professor White, from the Research School of Chemistry, has been named the winner of the 2015 AONSA Prize, from the Asia-Oceania Neutron Scattering Association.

Neutron scattering is a process that gives scientists a unique understanding of materials on an atomic scale.

During his 50-year career, Professor White was a driving force in the push for the OPAL research reactor at the Australian Nuclear Science and Technology Organisation (ANSTO) and chair of the International Advisory Committee for J-PARC,  Japan.

Professor White has been at the ANU since 1985, where he has championed stronger links between the neurton-scattering community in the Asia-Pacific.

“AONSA’s  goal is that the more than $2 billion investment in neutron sources in our region is a strategic scientific and social opportunity for all – if shared,” he said.

The award citation says the honour is: “For his seminal contributions to the use of neutrons in understanding molecules at interfaces, molecular crystals and self-assembly, for his visionary leadership in establishing the Asia-Oceania neutron scattering community and state-of-art neutron facilities including OPAL, and for his devoted mentoring of young scientists.”

The prize will be presented in mid 2015.