John Marohn, a professor in the Department of Chemistry and Chemical Biology in the College of Arts and Sciences, has been elected as a fellow of the American Physical Society (APS).
The fellowship program recognizes scientists who have made exceptional contributions in physics and chemical physics research; important applications of physics, leadership in or service to physics; or significant contributions to physics education.
APS cited Marohn’s “pioneering work to establish the fundamental physical limits of force detection in measurements of magnetic resonance via a spin-force gradient at attonewton sensitivity” on its citation for the award.
Marohn is being recognized for experiments using tiny force sensors to push magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) toward single-molecule sensitivity. Marohn’s team was the the first to demonstrate scanned-probe nuclear magnetic resonance, enabling nuclear MRI of polymer films only tens of nanometers thick.
Marohn’s team, working closely with Roger Loring, professor emeritus of chemistry and chemical biology, carried out joint experimental-theoretical studies establishing the fundamental physical limits of force detection, explaining clearly for the first time the molecular origin of non-contact friction. Ongoing work seeks to harness these breakthroughs to image individual electron spins attached to biomolecules.
APS fellowship is limited to no more than 0.5% of all APS members in a given year. There were 153 elected APS fellows this year. A total of 149 Cornell researchers have been elected since the fellowship was established in 1921.
