The Catalysis Society of Metropolitan New York is pleased to announce that Professor W. Nicholas Delgass of Purdue University is the recipient of the Society’s 2006 Excellence in Catalysis Award sponsored by ExxonMobil Research and Engineering.
Professor Delgass is being recognized for his numerous, significant, contributions to catalysis science. Since receiving his PhD from Stanford University with Michel Boudart, Professor Delgass’ long and illustrious career has been marked by elegant and creative research in heterogeneous catalysis and surface science. His research is distinguished by its consistent focus on fundamental kinetics, molecular characterization, and careful attention to experimental detail to provide clear mechanistic insights into complex catalytic systems. In so doing, he has pioneered the application to catalytic systems of many spectroscopic techniques, such as Mössbauer, XPS, SIMS and solid state NMR, providing structural understanding of both active sites and key organic intermediates. Professor Delgass continues to advance the catalysis field in his current role as Director of Purdue’s newly formed Center for Catalysis Design. In this role, Professor Delgass is leading a multi-scientist effort to utilize high throughput experimentation along with forward predictive fundamental models to systematically suggest new catalyst structures for experimental design. In addition to his many research accomplishments, Professor Delgass is recognized as a premier teacher, mentor, and collaborator whose enthusiastic support of catalysis science and technology continues to inspire his many students, associates and colleagues in the field.
Professor Delgass will be honored with a plaque and a cash award, sponsored by ExxonMobil Research and Engineering Company on May 24, 2006 at a dinner meeting at the Catalysis Society of Metropolitan New York at the Marriott Hotel, Somerset, NJ. The award lecture will be given thereafter.
Recipients of the Award for Excellence in Catalysis
- 1982 J.A. Rabo (Union Carbide)
- 1983 K. Klier (Lehigh)
- 1984 W. Kaeding, et al (Mobil)
- 1985 A. Vannice (U. of Pennsylvania)
- 1986 J. Lunsford (Texas A&M)
- 1987 F.J. Karol, et al (Union Carbide)
- 1988 S.J. Tauster (Engelhard)
- 1989 Bruce C. Gates (Delaware)
- 1990 W. Keith Hall (Pittsburgh)
- 1991 N.Y. Chen (Mobil)
- 1992 H.S. Gandhi (Ford)
- 1993 Gary L. Haller (Yale)
- 1994 James A. Dumesic (Wisconsin)
- 1995 Gary McVicker (Exxon)
- 1996 Israel Wachs (Lehigh)
- 1997 John Newsam (Molecular Simulations)
- 1998 Terry Baker (Northeastern)
- 1999 Shun Fung (Exxon)
- 2000 Henry C. Foley (Delaware)
- 2001 J.F. Brazdil, et al (BP Chemical)
- 2002 Amir H. Hoveyda (Boston College)
- 2003 Stu Soled (ExxonMobil)
- 2004 Ralph Dalla Betta (Catalytica)
- 2005 Fabio Ribeiro (Purdue)
- 2006 W. Nicholas Delgass (Purdue)