Prof. Robert K. Grasselli
Professur
Adjunct Full Professor of Chemical Engineering and Materials Science, University of Delaware, USA (since 1996)
TUM Distinguished Affiliated Professor (2006) of the department Chemistry
Research Areas
The outstanding chemist, who has been nominated many times for the Nobel Prize, has been contributing to catalysis research at the Technical University of Munich since his time as an Alexander von Humboldt Award winner in Munich (1995-1999). His ground-breaking work on the catalytic partial oxidation of hydrocarbons and their use in large-scale syntheses has made him a “bedrock” of the global catalysis community. Robert K. Grasselli is a researcher and inventor: he holds over 170 US patents, including the key patents for the so-called SOHIO process (selective oxidation and ammoxidation of hydrocarbons) invented by him and his colleagues. As an inexhaustible source of fundamental and applied knowledge, this highly committed scientist underscores the international visibility and impact of the Department of Chemistry, and in particular of the cross-faculty TUM Catalysis Research Center.
Academic Career
Robert K. Grasselli studied chemistry at Harvard University and received his doctorate from Case Western Reserve University, USA (1959). He began working for Standard Oil Co (Sohio) in 1952. He reached the rank of Research Fellow and was Director of Catalysis and Solid State Science until 1985. In 1986 he left Sohio/BP America and joined the Office of Naval Research (ONR), where he was Director of the Chemistry Division until 1989. From 1989 to 1995, Robert Grasselli worked as a Research Scientist at Mobil Research and Development Corporation at the Central Research Laboratory in Princeton. From 1983 to 1990 he was (Adjunct) Full Professor of Chemistry at Case Western Reserve University, USA; and from 1996 (Adjunct) Full Professor of Chemical Engineering and Materials Science at the University of Delaware, USA. He is the author of 175 patents and over 150 scientific papers. He is a member of the US National Academy of Engineering, a member of the US National Hall of Fame for Engineering, Science and Technology, and the recipient of a large number of awards, including the Alexander von Humboldt Research Award; E.V. Murphree Award, Petroleum Chemistry Award, and E. N. Morley Medal, awarded by the American Chemical Society. In 2008 he was awarded an honorary doctorate (Dr. h.c.) by the University of Bologna.
Professor Grasselli is the founder of the European Gordon Research Conferences and sponsor of the scientific RKG-Irsee Symposia (Oxidation Catalysis).
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