Professor Steve Eichhorn, Chair in Materials Science and Engineering, has been elected as a Fellow of the American Chemical Society (ACS). Steve is the first UK-based scientist to have been given this honour.
Each year around 30-50 Fellows of the ACS are elected, based on their scientific contributions and service to the Society. His award statement states that Professor Eichhorn is; “Recognized for extensive contributions to the physical science of cellulose through establishing key relationships between the mechanical and chemical functionality of fibres, composite interfaces, and functional materials” as well as “for service to the Cellulose and Renewable Materials Division”.
Steve is currently working on water interactions with cellulose and spinning new forms of lignocellulose fibres. He's hoping to be able to build a picture of how cellulose might be redispersible after drying, which is one of the major problems in its industrial exploitation.
Steve has worked on cellulosic materials for over 30 years, with research into fibres, composites and functional materials. He held many offices in the Division of Cellulose and Renewable Materials, which was founded in 1920 by a fellow British (and Mancunian) chemist – Harold Hibbert.
Steve said of the award, “It is a great honour to receive this award, not only for the contributions to the science of cellulose, but also for the work that was placed into the Division of Cellulose and Renewable Materials at the ACS. I have been attending the meeting since 2002 when I was a postdoctoral researcher. I have found the division and the ACS to be such a supportive and inclusive environment. I also got to meet all my heroes of cellulose research at the Spring meeting! I really owe this award to my fabulous and diverse group of students, researchers and collaborators over the years. Nothing is ever done alone. Thankyou!”
Steve will receive the award in August at a special ceremony at the American Chemical Society Fall Meeting in Washington DC.