I am honored to be appointed Visiting Professor at King's College London... This appointment recognizes what can be achieved when academia and industry share knowledge, exchange ideas, and work together to solve scientific challenges. I look forward to continuing that work in the years ahead.”
Dr Andrew Chew, Principal Scientist in the Scientific Vacuum Division of Edwards Vacuum
10 September 2026
King's appoints international leader in vacuum science as visiting professor
The appointment is the first made by the Department of Physics in ten years.
Dr Andrew Chew, Principal Scientist in the Scientific Vacuum Division of Edwards Vacuum (Part of Atlas Copco Group), a multinational vacuum pump and exhaust gas management system manufacturer, has been appointed as a Visiting Professor of Physics by the Department of Physics.
The first visiting professor appointment by the department in ten years, the selection was in recognition for Dr Chew’s thirty-plus years of international leadership in vacuum science and his ongoing engagement with research teams in the department and wider university.
Together with collaborator Professor James Millen, Dr Chew will continue to work on LeviSense, a project developing next generation vacuum technologies for potential use in areas like navigation and medicine. Alongside this work, Dr Chew will continue to train students under King’s Quantum’s doctoral training programme.
Speaking about the appointment, Dr Chew said “I am honored to be appointed Visiting Professor at King's College London. Working with university researchers and students has been an important part of my career. This appointment recognizes what can be achieved when academia and industry share knowledge, exchange ideas, and work together to solve scientific challenges. I look forward to continuing that work in the years ahead.”
Professor Millen, Director of King’s Quantum and Professor of Physics at King’s, reflected “Our partnership with Dr Chew has been exciting and rewarding for all involved. The opportunity to drive fundamental research through to real-world application is a rare one, and Dr Chew has expertly guided us on that journey.
“Having an industry leader work closely with us at King’s has benefitted everyone, and Dr Chew’s contributions to the growing success of the Faculty of Natural, Mathematical and Engineering Sciences are rightly recognized by this rarely awarded Visiting Professorship. We look forward to many more years of close collaboration.”
Having an industry leader work closely with us at King’s has benefitted everyone, and Dr Chew’s contributions to the growing success of the Faculty of Natural, Mathematical and Engineering Sciences are rightly recognized by this rarely awarded Visiting Professorship. We look forward to many more years of close collaboration.”
Professor James Millen
A recipient of the Harry Leck Memorial Medal for distinguished contributions to vacuum science with six patents to his name, Dr Chew’s work on the fundamental science behind and application of vacuum technology will serve as an important collaborative bridge between physical sciences research and the wider world of industry.
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