Nobel Prize-winning physicist Professor Peter Higgs, whose pioneering concept led to the invention of the Higgs boson particle, has died aged 94.
The “really gifted” scientist predicted the existence of the brand new subatomic particle way back to 1964.
His concept wouldn’t be confirmed till 2012, when experiments on the Massive Hadron Collider at Cern lastly proved the particle’s existence.
The next yr, Prof Higgs, emeritus professor at Edinburgh College, was collectively awarded the Nobel Prize in Physics for this work, together with Francois Englert.
An announcement from the college stated: “It has been confirmed that Professor Peter Higgs has handed away on the age of 94.
“He died on Monday 8 April peacefully at dwelling following a brief sickness. His household has requested that the media and public respect their privateness at the moment.”
Pic: PA
Professor Sir Peter Mathieson, the college’s principal and vice-chancellor, stated: “Peter Higgs was a outstanding particular person – a very gifted scientist whose imaginative and prescient and creativeness have enriched our information of the world that surrounds us.
“His pioneering work has motivated hundreds of scientists, and his legacy will proceed to encourage many extra for generations to return.”
His concept prompt the existence of an invisible drive subject and related subatomic particle permeating all issues, working like glue to present type to stars, planets and even people.
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With out the particle, the universe would have remained like a soup, in accordance with the speculation.
Higgs boson, or the ‘God particle’, explains why matter has mass and holds the universe collectively.
Prof Higgs wiped away a tear when the historic significance of the findings grew to become obvious throughout an announcement at a seminar on the Cern headquarters close to Geneva, Switzerland.
“I by no means anticipated this to occur in my lifetime and shall be asking my household to place some champagne within the fridge,” he stated.
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The invention thrust the theoretical physicist into the limelight when he was 83, however it was not a state of affairs the unassuming scientist was snug with – describing his fame as “a little bit of a nuisance”.
He as soon as revealed he had turned down a knighthood in 1999 as he didn’t need any title, however he did settle for recognition from the Queen in 2014 when he was appointed a Companion of Honour – which doesn’t deliver a title.
Talking after the occasion, he stated: “It was fairly a shock to seek out I used to be first on the record and first in line, so I did not have anybody in entrance of me to mimic and ensure I received the actions proper.”
Queen Elizabeth offered Peter Higgs with a medal for his contribution to physics. Pic: PA
Described by colleagues as shy, he discovered himself being approached for autographs on the street in later life.
He was additionally uncomfortable along with his identify alone being linked to the particle, saying the publicity had “uncared for” to present credit score to the opposite individuals concerned.
Particle physicist Brian Cox, a professor within the College of Physics and Astronomy on the College of Manchester, stated Prof Higgs’ identify “might be remembered so long as we do physics”.
