Chemistry professor honored with national award

Robert J. Hamers, professor of chemistry at the University of Wisconsin–Madison, is receiving the Arthur W. Adamson Award for his distinguished service in the advancement of surface chemistry.

Hamers was selected from a pool of 15 nominees to receive this national award from the American Chemical Society (ACS).

Hamers’ research focuses on the understanding of chemical interactions at solid surfaces. Specifically, his goal is to control the structure, bonding, reactivity and electrical properties of surfaces and interfaces. Hamers views his work as architecture; he uses the basic physical and chemical properties of simple molecules to arrange complex surface structures with specific functionality. He hopes to make significant advancements in developing systems that give insight into the biological and environmental interactions of important molecules.

ACS has given the Arthur W. Adamson Award annually to accomplished chemists since 1993. Founded in 1876, ACS is one of the nation’s best-known services for chemical advancement and networking. ACS consists of more than 150,000 members in all degree levels and fields of chemistry.

Hamers will be honored during a ceremony at the 229th National ACS Meeting in San Diego on March 15.