Professor Robinson is internationally known for his important work on the mathematical foundations of statistical mechanics, quantum mechanics and quantum field theory. He is known for being one of the pioneers in the algebraic axiomatization of quantum field theory, for the study of the thermodynamic limit in statistical mechanics and for the rigorous analysis of the approach to equilibrium. More recently he has made significant contributions in pure mathematics in the study of C*-algebras.
Professor Trudinger has earned an international reputation for his research and scholarship in the study of existence of solutions to partial differential equations. A priori estimates for Hölder continuity and the gradient play an important part in proving the existence of solutions in the non-linear case. Professor Trudinger's published papers illustrate his great skill in devising special methods for making such estimates. His papers also show that he has considerable ability to handle other approaches and obtain results for a wide range of problems.
Distinguished for his contributions to group theory. Since his arrival in Australia, Professor Neumann has established himself as one of the leaders of mathematics in the country, both as the head of a research department of mathematics, and as one determined to foster mathematics on a national scale.
Butler has an international reputation for his work on nuclear reactions, especially stripping reactions and direct reactions. This work inspired many of the recent developments of the optical model of the nucleus. He has also done useful and well known work in quantum statistical mechanics and its applications to superfluids. He is active in the presentation of modern physics to the layman.
Dr. Edman is distinguished for his contributions to protein structure and especially for his procedure for the determination of amino acid sequence in peptides and proteins, a technique that is of major biological importance and in world-wide use. His early work was concerned with the isolation and analysis of some biologically active peptides and led to an interest in their amino acid sequence. In 1949, he described a reaction for the sequential cleavage and identification of N-terminal amino acids from polypeptides. In the intervening period he has studied the reaction in detail. This has enabled the development of an automatic protein sequenator which has been successfully applied to myoglobin and to peptides from fibrinogen. Dr. Edman' s work is characterised by its ingenuity, elegance and his meticulous attention to detail and is complemented by an appreciation of engineering principles.
Professor C. N. Watson-Munro has been closely associated with the newer developments in physics over the past twenty years. In radar during the early years of the war he energetically led the team that developed the first 10 cm. operational microwave equipment in the Southern Hemisphere. In atomic energy he was largely responsible for the design and construction of the first reactors built in Canada and the United Kingdom. As the first Chief Scientist of the Australian Atomic Energy Commission he played a major role in the establishment of the Lucas Heights facilities including the reactor.
In academic life he has been active in research as Professor of Physics in Wellington from 1951-54, and Professor of Plasma Physics in Sydney from 1960.
