Professor Chad Mirkin awarded Faraday Medal from United Kingdom Institution of Engineering and Technology
November 2, 2022

Professor Chad Mirkin received the 2022 Faraday Medal from The United Kingdom Institution of Engineering and Technology (IET). According to the IET’s official statement, Mirkin was honored “for inventing and developing many of the tools, techniques, and materials that have defined the modern age of nanotechnology,” at an event in London.
The award is recognized as one of the highest achievements an engineer or scientist can receive.
Mirkin is best known for his invention of spherical nucleic acids (SNAs) along with the development of biological and chemical diagnostic and the therapeutic systems and materials synthesis systems they provide.
Mirkin also is a pioneer in the field of artificial intelligence-based materials discovery, which involves the use of high throughput synthesis techniques combined with machine learning and unprecedentedly large and high-quality data sets — obtained from megalibraries of millions of positionally-encoded nanoparticles — to rapidly identify and evaluate new materials for applications in pharmaceuticals, clean energy, catalysis and other industries.
“It’s incredible,” Mirkin said. “The people that have won in the past constitute a who’s who list of those that have changed the world through science and engineering. When I look at the past recipients, the discoverer of the electron, the person who first split an atom, the inventor of the first computer, it’s an unbelievable history, an incredible honor, and I am obviously absolutely thrilled to be among that crew.”
Learn more in Northwestern Now’s article, “Chad Mirkin receives IET Faraday Medal for ‘contributions that helped define the modern age of nanotechnology.’”

Science & Technology

Northwestern accelerates quantum research with NVIDIA technology
September 19, 2025
NVIDIA code could help researchers tackle computationally demanding tasks hindering quantum research Northwestern University physicists are using NVIDIA technology to tackle the computationally demanding tasks hindering quantum research. Northwestern theoretical physicist Jens Koch and his research group…

CRISPR’s efficiency triples with DNA-wrapped nanoparticles
September 18, 2025
New system delivers CRISPR machinery more safely and effectively into cells With the power to rewrite the genetic code underlying countless diseases, CRISPR holds immense promise to revolutionize medicine. But until scientists can deliver its…

Passion for the planet: A new generation of environmental stewards starts here
May 29, 2025
Over the last two decades, the Weinberg College-housed Program in Environmental Policy and Culture (EPC) at Northwestern has embraced the humanities and social sciences and cultivated a new generation of environmental stewards. Growing up in…

Northwestern receives $25 million gift to advance adolescent mental health research
May 16, 2025
New institute will study psychology of emerging adults, leading to innovative wellness programming for students at the University and beyond Northwestern University is launching the Institute for Adolescent Mental Health and Well-Being, an interdisciplinary initiative…