The prize was awarded by the Research with Neutrons Committee (KFN) at the German Neutron Scattering Conference 2024 (DN2024), which took place in Aachen from 16 to 18 September and was attended by around 200 researchers.
The novelty of Chiappisi's approach lies in combining structural studies using neutron scattering techniques - conducted in aqueous solutions through small-angle neutron scattering or at solid-liquid interfaces using neutron reflectometry - with comprehensive thermodynamic analyses. His research is the basis for tailored structures and functionalities, e.g. of coatings, membranes and liquid foams.
Chiappisi's studies on high pressures have recently been highlighted on the ILL website, in the article "Self-assembling LEGO sets under pressure".
The KFN web page where the prize was announced highlights that, in addition to achieving outstanding scientific results, Chiappisi's work has also "provided the community with experimental setups and methodology."
Indeed, in a recently published article highlighted on ILL's website, Leonardo Chiappisi reviews recent advances in the field, discusses possibilities opened up by the SANS foam cell coupled with conductivity measurements and macrophotography developed within the ILL/ESRF Partnership for Soft Condensed Matter (PSCM), and identifies open challenges that could be addressed using neutron and synchrotron radiation.
Chiappisi is the ILL coordinator of the ILL/ESRF Partnership for Soft Condensed Matter (PSCM), which offers support to both in-house scientists and users of the two facilities. The PSCM is part of the exceptional set of user laboratories and support facilities present on the EPN campus, offering a level of expertise and range of equipment that is unrivaled in large-scale facilities.
The Wolfram-Prandl-Prize for excellent work in neutron scattering was established in 2001. The Research with Neutrons Committee represents scientists who work with neutrons or who are closely associated with research using neutrons.