Retired UK technician Ian Miller has received an MBE (Member of the Most Excellent Order of the British Empire) for services to ultralow temperature physics at Lancaster University.
He was one of the world’s leading low temperature technicians, working in the Microkelvin Group in the Physics Department. He helped other low temperature groups around the world by providing Lancaster experience and technology which can now be found productively operating across Europe, North America and the Middle East.
Ian said: “I’m pleased because it’s a recognition that technicians are an important part of research. We’re in the background setting everything up and a lot of academics wouldn’t be where they are without technicians.”
Professor George Pickett said it was clear from the start that Ian was brilliant at his job.
“He could do everything from building brick walls with his bare hands to machining to instrument-making quality. He soon learned all the tricks of low temperature physics.”
Ian has already received a prestigious Hauksbee Award from the Royal Society in London in recognition of his valuable role in supporting scientific research.
[Source: Lancaster University]
