Prize Recipient

Mahesh Mahanthappa
University of Wisconsin

Citation:

"For fundamental studies of block copolymers with controlled dispersity."

Background:

Mahesh K. Mahanthappa received his B.A. in Chemistry and Mathematics with distinction from the University of Colorado–Boulder in 1997, after which he obtained his Ph.D. in Chemistry with R. M. Waymouth at Stanford University. Following postdoctoral studies with F. S. Bates and M. A. Hillmyer at the University of Minnesota, Mahesh commenced his independent career at the University of Wisconsin–Madison as an Assistant Professor of Chemistry in 2006 and was promoted to the rank of Associate Professor in 2012. Mahanthappa’s research program leverages chemical synthesis and physical materials characterization to identify new methods for manipulating block copolymer and lyotropic liquid crystal self-assembly into unique morphologies that manifest unusual bulk properties. Specific targets of interest include the development of degradable block copolymers and surfactants, electrochemically stable single-ion conductors for fuel cell and battery applications, and next-generation gas and liquid separations membranes. He has received an NSF CAREER Award, a 3M Non-Tenured Faculty Award, the Emil H. Steiger Distinguished Teaching Award, and a Fannie and John Hertz Foundation Graduate Fellowship. He is currently an active member of the American Physical Society, the Materials Research Society, and the American Chemical Society.

Selection Committee:

John Torkelson, Chair; S.T. Milner; N. Balsara; R. Vaia; J. Lipson; M. Foster; B.L. Farmer; K. Winey; P. Nealey