Professor Nicholas Kotov

Winner: 2024 Centenary Prize for Chemistry and Communication

University of Michigan

For innovative studies and applications of complex self-assembling nanosystems, and for excellence in communication.

Celebrate Professor Nicholas Kotov

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I am most grateful to the 萝莉社 for this great honour. This truly humbling experience also brings me confidence that some out-of-the-box ideas can survive a difficult path to broad acceptance. By and large, imperfections of particles – just like imperfections of people – should be treated as assets. The nanoscale particles in their diversity of compositions and sizes are the source of amazing complexity and previously unrecognised functionalities.

Professor Kotov’s research has advanced our understanding of self-assembly in nanomaterials (tiny building blocks). He has revealed that small, randomly shaped and easily accessible nanomaterials (building blocks) can self-assemble into useful materials regardless of their shape and size. He has also shown that these imperfectly shaped nanostructures actually help, rather than hinder, the self-assembly process and result in nanocomposites that are stronger and more conductive. Their structure is similar to bone, shells, cartilage and other biological materials. These self-assembling, multifunctional composites are used in environmental, health, energy, and green chemical technologies.

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Nicholas A Kotov is Irving Langmuir Distinguished University Professor in Chemical Sciences at the University of Michigan. He is a pioneer in the theoretical foundations and practical implementations of complex systems from ‘imperfect’ nanoparticles.

Prior to Professor Kotov’s studies, the polydispersity of shapes and forms was considered to be an insurmountable detriment for the process of self-assembly into useful materials. He experimentally and theoretically demonstrated that ‘imperfections’ of nanostructures (e.g., graphite oxide nanosheets, clay nanoplatelets, cellulose nanorods) enhance the properties of resulting nanocomposites increasing, for instance, their conductivity and toughness. His current work focuses on chiral nanostructures, biomimetic nanocomposites from one- and two-dimensional materials, and graph theoretical representations.

Professor Kotov has received more than 60 awards and recognitions, including the UNESCO Medal, MRS Medal, and Chirality Medal. Together with his students, Nicholas founded several startups that commercialised self-assembled nanostructures for the energy, healthcare and automotive industries. Nicholas is a Fellow of the American Academy of Arts and Sciences and the National Academy of Inventors. He is a committed advocate of scientists with disabilities – visible and invisible.

Funding from the US National Science Foundation and the US Department of Defense (DoD) is gratefully acknowledged.

Q&A

How did you first become interested in chemistry?

Chemistry, biology, and geology were my first passions. I became interested in chemistry perhaps since I was 5–6 years old when I saw on my parents' nightstand a book called 'Electron Paramagnetic Resonance of Free Radicals'.

Tell us about somebody who has inspired or mentored you in your career.

Definitely my mother. We carried out a lot of chemistry experiments together, and she even took me to her lab several times during my teenage years.

What motivates you?

I really enjoy "Aha!" moments. They are the great source of endorphins preceding a bit of struggle and pain.

Can you tell us about a scientific development on the horizon that you are excited about?

I am really interested to see forms of extraterrestrial life. We will find it and I hope to be long enough around to learn about it more.

Why is chemistry important?

Chemistry is an important bridge between everything very very small and very very large.

Why do you think collaboration and teamwork are important in science?

I like to collaborate because it is mutually enriching. Can be hard, too, but, true collaborations are always highly impactful.

What is your favourite element?

Iodine! It is an amazing example of a non-metal becoming almost metallic. From the aesthetic point of view iodine is quite beautiful in its elemental form due to the deep purple color with mysterious shine. I would also note that it is a widely used antiseptic, which has saved a lot lives. Last but not least, every chemistry kid knows about nitrogen iodide. Making it and playing with it was a lot of fun when I was a teenager.