Puzzle-beating prizewinner

A fifth year student who has contributed to a scientific effort to solve an 80-year-old mathematical puzzle is the 50th BT young scientist of the year.

Paul Clarke, from St Paul’s College Dublin, had already seen his ability to apply computer programming language to certain logistical puzzles win him the Intel Scifest prize in October.

And the BT Young Scientist and Technologist panel was just as taken by his mastery of complex Hamilton cycles, which plot efficient routes for computers and business.