Royal Recognition for IRL Engineer

Media Release

19 November 2009

IRL Research Engineer Paul Harris was last night awarded the RJ Scott medal for his significant contributions to the development and application of electronic devices in New Zealand.

Bestowed by the Royal Society of New Zealand, the medal is awarded to the researcher who, working within New Zealand, has undertaken work of great merit and has made an outstanding contribution towards the advancement of a particular branch of engineering sciences, technologies, and their applications.

“Clearly I am overjoyed at being awarded the R. J. Scott medal. It is a great honour and also somewhat humbling as I recognise the effort that people in industry and at Industrial Research Ltd have put in to make this possible,” said Paul Harris.

In a statement the Royal Society said Paul Harris had made a number of significant contributions to the development and application of electronic devices in New Zealand.

He had led the development of a novel imaging system to image teeth for dental applications, a high resolution 3-D ultrasonic device for imaging anisotropic solids such as bone structure, and a sonic hand-held device for wood quality testing.

His research directly resulted in the establishment of three companies that manufacture equipment invented by him, with substantial economic benefit for New Zealand.

The award was given for projects that have taken place over several years including the project from which International Dynamometers (a company in Lower Hutt that develops and exports dynamometer for tuning performance cars) was formed, sonic testing for forestry from which Hitman (a tool for grading of logs in the forest reported to provide the industry several millions of dollars annually in value) and recent developments in medical ultrasonics. All projects involved a partnership between Industrial Research Ltd and private enterprise.

‘Winning this award gives my research team assurance that what we are doing is heading in very relevant science directions, that we have very good engineering and technology skills, and that our research is relevant to and valued by New Zealand industry,’ he said.

IRL Chief Executive Shaun Coffey said the award recognises Paul Harris’ significant achievements over many years. “He is an inspiration to the team of colleagues who work closely with him and is dedicated to the practical application of science and engineering.

“Time and time again Paul Harris has showed that he understands the needs of industry and has been able to focus his talents to ensure they realise significant economic benefit for New Zealand,” he said.

The RJ Scott Medal is awarded biennially in rotation in three areas of engineering sciences and technologies. This year’s medal is awarded in the fields of electrical, electronic, information and mechanical engineering.

ENDS

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