Chemist Geoffrey W. Coates will receive the 2023 National Academy of Sciences Award for the Industrial Application of Science. The award, which includes a $25,000 prize, will be presented during the NAS 160th Annual Meeting on April 30.
“Coates’ research is recognized globally to be at the forefront of innovation in the development high-performance sustainable materials. It embodies how research in the College of Arts and Sciences is providing transformative, real-world solutions to fundamental environmental challenges,” said Rachel Bean, senior associate dean for math and science (A&S).
Coates, the Tisch University Professor in the Department of Chemistry and Chemical Biology (A&S), is widely recognized for his discovery of efficient synthetic processes to make important high-performance plastics from biorenewable resources.
“Coates’ discoveries have revolutionized polymer recycling, materials for green hydrogen generation, and the synthesis of sustainable plastics,” said the prize committee in a statement.
The committee cited Coates’ contributions to new high-performance materials, including the design of new polymeric materials for safe and practical energy conversion and storage applications. His most recent work has developed a novel multi-block polymer “that could revolutionize the recycling of plastic waste,” said the committee.
The NAS Award for the Industrial Application of Science honors original scientific work of intrinsic scientific importance and with significant, beneficial applications in industry. It was established by the IBM Corporation in honor of Ralph E. Gomory.
Linda B. Glaser is news and media relations manager for the College of Arts and Sciences.
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