Helmut Cölfen awarded Liesegang Prize
The world-renowned chemist was honoured for his outstanding achievements in colloid science
Professor Helmut Cölfen has received the Liesegang Prize 2022. With this award, the Colloid Society honours the professor of physical chemistry at the University of Konstanz for his outstanding achievements in the field of pure and applied colloid science. Colloid science is a branch of physical chemistry in which researchers study the properties of disperse systems with particle sizes from one nanometre to one micrometre. The prize, which explicitly goes to scientists aged around 40 to 55 years, was awarded today, 28 September 2022, in Berlin at the 51st Conference of the German Colloid Society celebrating the Society's 100th birthday.
Helmut Cölfen has earned his place among the world’s most distinguished chemists of the younger generation. This is also reflected in the fact that he is listed among the top 100 chemists worldwide in the years between 2000 and 2010 and he ranks among the "Top Chemists of the Past Decade" in the prestigious Times Higher Education Index. He has also received significant awards such as Germany’s most renowned award for research in any field, the Academy Prize 2013 of the Berlin-Brandenburg Academy of Sciences and Humanities. The textbook "Mesocrystals and Nonclassical Crystallization," which Cölfen wrote together with Professor Markus Antonietti, head of the "Colloid Chemistry" department at the Max Planck Institute of Colloids and Interfaces, is now considered indispensable for work with biominerals.
Helmut Cölfen has been a professor of physical chemistry at the University of Konstanz since 2010. Before, he had worked with the Max Planck Institute of Colloids and Interfaces in Potsdam, Germany. After completing his studies and doctorate in Duisburg, Germany, he worked as a postdoc at the National Centre for Macromolecular Hydrodynamics at the University of Nottingham/Leicester (UK).
The Liesegang Prize
With the Liesegang Prize, the Colloid Society honours scientists for their outstanding achievements in the area of pure or applied colloid science who are in the midst of their careers. The prize consists of a certificate and a memorial coin.
Raphael Eduard Liesegang
Raphael Eduard Liesegang (1.11.1869 - 13.11.1947) was a German chemist who studied in Freiburg but did not finish his academic education. Nevertheless, he published numerous scientific articles already as a student, for instance, about light sensitive organic silver salts. During this time, he also wrote a book on the basic problems of electric television. The extensive work of Raphael Liesegang comprises, among others, more than 500 scientific articles.
The Colloid Society
The Colloid Society is one of the oldest scientific societies in Germany. Founded 1922 in Leipzig, the Colloid Society first developed as a specialized branch of physical chemistry. However, with its strong link to industrial production, colloid science soon developed into an independent field of research. Nowadays, several hundred scientists from different disciplines such as physics, chemistry, pharmacy and food technology are members of the society.
Key facts:
- Helmut Cölfen, professor of physical chemistry at the University of Konstanz, was awarded the Liesegang Prize of the Colloid Society
- For outstanding achievements in colloid science
- Awarded today, 28 September 2022, in Berlin during the 51st Conference of the German Colloid Society