Two University of Delaware researchers—Norman Wagner and Mary P. Watson—have been recognized by the American Chemical Society with 2025 national awards. ACS is one of the world’s largest scientific societies, with over 200,000 members globally. Norman Wagner, who is Unidel Robert L. Pigford Chair, chemical and biomolecular engineering, has been selected to receive the ACS National Award in colloid chemistry. The award, sponsored by Colgate-Palmolive, honors outstanding scientific contributions to the field over a career. Colloids are collections of atoms and molecules that are too small to be visible, but are critical to life, foods and a vast array of everyday products ranging from soaps and shampoos to ceramics and semiconductors. Wagner’s research interests include the effects of applied flow on the microstructure and material properties of colloidal suspensions, polymers, self-assembled surfactant solutions and complex fluids. Among Wagner’s research discoveries is shear thickening fluid, a “smart material” colloidal dispersion that hardens under impact, making it useful for applications in advanced body armor, puncture resistant medical gloves and space suits, among other things. Wagner will be recognized next March at the ACS spring 2025 meeting in San Diego, California.
Wagner to receive ACS National Award
