Peter P. Edwards

Work ranges from inorganic and physical chemistry to condensed matter physics in both their purest and most applied aspects. Leading chemist studying the metal-insulator transition and superconductivity. Developed and championed a simple criterion for the metal-insulator transition applicable to many systems, including expanded fluid metals, hydrogen in the outer planets, transition metal oxides, and doped semi-conductors. Motivated by size-induced metal-insulator transition, discovered a wide variety of stoichiometrically defined metallic cluster compounds. Before the discovery of cuprates, identified doped transition metal oxides as possible superconductors, beginning with the superconducting spinel Li_1+xTi _2-xO₄. Subsequently discovered both the mercury-lead-based compounds that held the record high temperature transition and the fluoride-oxide superconductors. Now leads UK efforts on new materials for the hydrogen economy. Scientific joie de vivre is illustrated by his paper on the materials aspects of Stradivarius violins. Fellow, Royal Society, and recipient of the Bakerian Lectureship, the society's most prestigious lecture in the physical sciences.