Josh Makepeace, who achieved nothing less than a High Distinction for all subjects in his science degree, has become Flinders University’s fourth Rhodes Scholar.

Josh, who is currently completing a Bachelor of Science (Honours) at Flinders, will take up the prestigious scholarship at Oxford University in September next year where he will undertake a renewable energy research project and study towards a Doctor of Philosophy.

Describing news of the award today – which was announced by Governor Kevin Scarce at Government House last night – as “a little surreal”, Josh said all the hard work in his degree had paid off.

Josh said his three year research project at Oxford would explore the development of new materials to store hydrogen.

“At the moment one of the issues with hydrogen being competitive as a fuel source is that we are not able to store it very efficiently or in large amounts using current technologies including pressurised gas cylinders and liquid storage,” Josh said

“The Oxford group that I will work with is looking at ways in which hydrogen gas might be incorporated into a solid material and then retrieved again for later use. If you can get the storage right, it will begin to pave the way for a transition towards using hydrogen on a much wider scale,” he said.

Flinders Vice-Chancellor, Professor Michael Barber, congratulated Josh and said Flinders was “very proud of what is a fantastic achievement by an exceptionally talented student”.

The Rhodes Scholarship is one of the oldest and most prestigious international scholarships. Funded by the estate of businessman and mining magnate Cecil John Rhodes, who died in 1902, the scholarships fund study, accommodation and living expenses at Oxford University.

Flinders previous Rhodes Scholars from Flinders University include:

• 1986 Vicki Ann Spencer BA 1983 BA (Hons) 1984 MA (SocSc)(Res) 1989
• 2000 Nick Gallus BEc 1997 LLB 1999
• 2001 Philip Clark BIntSt 2000 BIntSt (Hons) 2001