Cristian I. Contescu Ph.D.
Cristian Contescu graduated in 1971 (Magna cum Laudae) with a major in Physical Chemistry from the School of Chemistry at Bucharest University (Romania) and obtained his Doctoral degree in chemistry in 1979 from Bucharest Polytechnic Institute. In his Ph.D. dissertation (“Chemisorption properties of transition metals studied by field emission microscopy”) he investigated the effect of surface anisotropy of single crystal surfaces on adsorption, surface diffusion and growth mechanisms of metal overlayers. In 1971 Contescu joined the Center of Physical Chemistry in Bucharest, an elite research institute of Romanian Academy. As a Research Scientist, and later as a Senior Research Scientist, he conducted both basic and applied research in the field of catalysis, surface phenomena, and materials characterization, with a main focus on surface interactions on thin films and single crystals of metals and semiconductors. In 1991 he received the “Gheorghe Spacu” National Award of Romanian Academy offered by the Chemical Sciences Division his basic research contributions in the field of catalysts preparation.Following the award of an IREX research grant at Syracuse University (1990), Contescu joined the research group of Professor James Schwarz in Syracuse, NY. This marked the beginning of a very fertile activity focused on surface interactions at gas-solid and liquid-solid interfaces, and their effect on the development of catalytic activity, with the ultimate goal on developing scientific bases of catalyst preparation. The works on characterization of proton transfer at solid surfaces of inorganic adsorbents and activated carbons laid the grounds for controlled development, based on scientific knowledge, of catalysts and activated carbons. His interest in adsorption properties of activated carbons and their use for methane and hydrogen storage and for air purification dates also from the years spent at Syracuse University. In 1999 Cristian accepted a position of Senior Scientist with Hitco Carbon Composites in Los Angeles area, and after 2002 he joined Material Methods LLC, a dynamic research company in Newport Beach, CA (2002). In his new position he focused on the use of nanostructured carbon materials for adsorption, filtration, and energy storage devices (SBIR projects sponsored by National Science Foundation and DARPA). In 2004 Cristian accepted a Senior Staff position with Carbon Materials Technology Group in the Materials Science and Technology Division at Oak Ridge National Laboratory. He currently participates in several research projects funded by offices of the Department of Energy, including Basic Energy Sciences, Fossil Fuels and Nuclear Science and Technology. For his main research interest remains catalytic and adsorption properties of carbon materials, and metal-assisted hydrogen storage by nanostructured carbons. EducationBucharest University, Romania; Bucharest Polytechnic Institute, RomaniaCareer HighlightsContescu is a member of American Chemical Society and American Carbon Society. He is co-editor of 5-volumes “Dekker Encyclopedia of Nanoscience and Nanotechnology” (M. Dekker, 2004, with J. Schwarz and K. Putyera) and of “Surfaces of Nanoparticles and Microporous Materials” (M. Dekker, 1999, with J. Schwarz). He served as a continuing symposia chair of Surface and Colloid Sciences Division of American Chemical Society (ACS) and organized symposia on Nanoscience and Nanotechnology at annual ACS meetings (with J. Schwarz, in 2001, 2002 and 2004). He served in the reviewers’ board of several journals in the field of colloid sciences, catalysis, and carbon science (including J. Colloid Interface Science, J. Catalysis, Carbon, J. Nuclear Materials). His publication list includes over 50 papers, 3 chapters to books, one encyclopedia chapter, and several US patents.AwardsDr. Contescu has received many awards and honors, including:• Symposia Chair for Nanoscience and Nanotechnology (2001, 2002, and 2004) • "Gheorghe Spacu" National Award of the Romanian Academy Division of Chemical Sciences (1991) • International Research & Exchanges Board (IREX) fellowship (1990) • Special Merit Diploma from Bucharest University (1971) BooksDekker Encyclopedia of Nanoscience & Nanotechnology -- The Dekker Encyclopedia is a 5-volume nanoscience reference work updated annually which extensively covers the design, application, and utilization of devices, techniques, and technologies at atomic, molecular, and macromolecular levels ranging from 1–100 nanometers. Taylor and Francis 2005.***NanoScienceWorks members can take free online 30-day trial of this publication. J. A. Schwarz and C. Contescu: “Surfaces of Nanoparticles and Porous Materials”, in Surfactant Sciences Series, Vol. 78 , Marcel Dekker Inc., New York (1999). Important Articles |
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