Recognition of outstanding achievements in the field of statistical physics
18.12.2012
Professor Dr. Kurt Binder has been awarded the Marin Drinov Sign of Honor of the Bulgarian Academy of Sciences in Sofia, which is the highest distinction this academy awards. The Mainz physicist has been given the medal in recognition of his outstanding achievements in the field of statistical physics and, in particular, because of his many years of collaboration with Bulgarian researchers. Binder has been a professor at Johannes Gutenberg University Mainz (JGU) since 1983 and a foreign member of the Bulgarian Academy of Sciences since 2005.
The main interests of the internationally acclaimed scientist are statistical physics, solid state physics, and materials research. Kurt Binder performed pioneering work when he developed computer simulations in the 1960s, making it possible to undertake completely new forms of experiments in the field of physics that would not be feasible in the real world. As a result, important insights into phase transitions, for example in the formation of liquids from gases and into glass transition, have been obtained. During his career spanning more than 45 years, Binder has significantly contributed to the development of methods for simulating actual processes using computers, in particular the process known as the Monte Carlo simulation. In July 2007, Binder was the first German physicist to receive the Boltzmann Medal, the world's highest award in the field of statistical physics. He is also one of the most quoted physicists in the world.