AFRL researcher named American Chemical Society Fellow
WRIGHT-PATTERSON AIR FORCE BASE, Ohio – A research chemist from the Air Force Research Laboratory was recently chosen as a 2019 Fellow of the American Ceramic Society for his exceptional contributions and accomplishments in the science and technology community.
Dr. Hilmar Koerner, research team lead in the Structural Materials Division of AFRL, is one of 70 members of the approximate 160,000-person society to be granted the award this year.
Although the “Fellow” designation has been adopted by many professional societies, the criteria for awarding this designation vary significantly from society to society. The ACS Fellows Program uniquely recognizes a different standard of achievement and service. Specifically, the Fellow of the American Chemical Society designation is awarded to a member who has made exceptional contributions to the science or profession and has provided excellent volunteer service to the ACS community.
“I am honored to receive this special award,” said Koerner. “I am proud that I was rewarded for the work that I did through outreach, to get the young folks in our area interested in the importance of chemistry in everyday life.”
As chair of the Dayton local section of ACS, Koerner organized a central regional event at the Dayton Convention Center with over 500 participants from around the globe.
“Spreading the word about chemistry is important to me,” he said.
“This is an impressive and well-deserved achievement,” said Timothy Sakulich, Director of the Materials and Manufacturing Directorate. “Hilmar is a true leader amongst the community which resulted in this highly selective recognition as an ACS Fellow.”
Among his achievements, Koerner has co-authored 150+ peer-reviewed publications and received numerous patents and awards.
Koerner is active in numerous technical communities. His research interests center on the physics and chemistry of high temperature polymer thermosets and molecular hybrids and nanocomposites, methods for light weighting and additive manufacturing applications.
Production of the first nanocomposite remotely actuated by an external light source and published in Nature Materials is one result of Koerner’s research. This work was recognized worldwide.
“Substantial contributions by Dr. Koerner to the general field of polymer composites make him fully deserving of being an ACS Fellow,” said Dr. Timothy Bunning, Chief Scientist, Materials and Manufacturing Directorate.
The new ACS Fellows will be recognized at the society’s fall national meeting in San Diego, California.
Dr. Hilmar Koerner of the Air Force Research Laboratory, was elected to the 2019 Class of the American Chemical Society of Fellows. He uses a 3D printer to print epoxy carbon fiber reinforced inks. (U.S. Air Force photo/Donna Lindner)