Nicholas Cutmore is a physicist who has worked within CSIRO since 1983. His research interest lies in the use of radio frequency and microwave technologies to conduct on-line analysis of materials such as coal and carbon. His patented processes have been applied in the coal, oil and mineral industries in Australia.
He was also part of the CSIRO team that won the CSIRO Medal for Research Achievement in 2006 in acknowledgement of their cutting edge airline cargo scanner, the first to scan objects using neutrons and gamma rays.
In 2022 Cutmore and colleagues were awarded the Prime Minister's Prize for Innovation for the commercialisation of PhotonAssay, a fully automated technology to measure the presence of gold and minerals in ore samples.
Cutmore was awarded the following CSIRO medals:
2006 - CSIRO Medal for Research Achievement (with James Tickner, Brian Sowerby, and colleagues) for developing a world-first air cargo scanner for interrogating consolidated air cargo for contraband such as drugs and explosives;
2021 - CSIRO Chairman's Medal for Science and Engineering Excellence as a member of the PhotonAssay Team (with James Tickner and colleagues) for breakthrough innovation of photonassay technology delivering rapid, safe and accurate analysis of gold and other precious metals in mining applications and commercialisation for industry deployment through the start-up company, Chrysos.
1977
1977
Education - Bachelor of Science (Hons 1 and the University Medal) in physics, University of New South Wales
1981
1981
Education - Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) in solid state physics, University of New South Wales
c. 1981
c. 1983
Career position - Research Fellow at School of Mining Engineering, University of New South Wales
1983
1983
Career position - Research Scientist in the On-line Analysis and Control Program, CSIRO
1983
2020
Career position - Research Scientist (later Chief Research Scientist), CSIRO
1992
1992
Award - Australia Prize (in the field of Physical Sciences relating to mining or processing of mineral resources (jointly)), Commonwealth of Australia
2001
2020
Career position - Research Director and Program Manager, Sorting and Sensing Program, CSIRO Lucas Heights
2003
Award - Fellow, Australian Academy of Technological Sciences and Engineering (FTSE)
2006
2006
Award - CSIRO Medal for Research Achievement (with James Tickner, Brian Sowerby, and colleagues)
2012
2012
Award - Eureka Prize (Outstanding Contribution to National Security) for the development and commercialisation of the Air Cargo Scanner, Australian Museum
2017
2022
Career position - Chairman, Advisory Board, Chrysos Corporation
2021
2021
Award - CSIRO Chairman's Medal for Science and Engineering Excellence (with colleagues)
2022
2022
Award - Prime Minister's Prize for Innovation (shared with colleagues of the PhotoAssay Team), Commonwealth of Australia