Dr. Arthur J. Nozik is a Senior Research Fellow Emeritus of NREL and Research Professor in the Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry at the University of Colorado, Boulder.

Dr. Nozik received his BChE from Cornell University in 1959 and his PhD in Physical Chemistry from Yale University in 1967. Before joining NREL in 1978, then known as the Solar Energy Research Institute (SERI), he conducted research at the Allied Chemical Corporation and American Cyanamid Corporation. Dr. Nozik has established a leading position in the interdisciplinary fields of photoelectrochemistry, semiconductor-molecule interfaces, quantum size effects, electron relaxation dynamics in semiconductor quantum wells, quantum dots, quantum wires, and nanostructures, and applications of this science to improve solar photon conversion technologies.

He has published more than 270 peer-reviewed papers, proceedings, and book chapters in these fields and in the related fields of photocatalysis, heterogeneous catalysis, the optical, magnetic, and electrical properties of solids, and Mössbauer spectroscopy. He has been cited more than 38,000 times and presented more than 370 invited, plenary, and keynote talks.

Dr. Nozik has managed a large group of scientists engaged in basic and applied research on the direct photoconversion of light into solar fuels, chemicals, and electricity, and on the optical and electronic properties and applications of nanostructures. He has been awarded 11 U.S. patents and has received many national and international honors and awards.

Learn more about Dr. Nozik's Professional Recognition, Activities, Talks, and Publications.

Professional Experience

1978-present, National Renewable Energy Laboratory

• Published more than 250 basic research papers in photoelectrochemistry, solid state physics, semiconductor nanoscience, and related interdisciplinary science.
• Proposed and confirmed several new important concepts in photoelectrochemistry (hot carrier effects, size quantization effects, superlattice electrodes, quantum dot solar cells).

1974-1978, Materials Research Center, Allied Chemical Corporation, Morristown, NJ

• Group leader, Photoelectrochemical Energy Conversion
• Established one of the first groups in the country in photoelectrochemical energy conversion
• Published 15 papers in photoelectrochemical energy conversion; received five U.S. patents in the field
• Invented photochemical diodes, a major new innovation in photoelectrochemical energy conversion (U.S. 4,094,751).

1967-1974, Central Research Division, American Cyanamid Company, Stamford, CT 06904

• Conducted research on optical and electrical properties of semiconductors
• Discovered new transparent conductor (Cd2SnO4); received five U.S. patents on material; NSF and Air Force Funding; developed applications in solar energy devices, and infra-red absorbers
• Conducted research in heterogeneous catalysis
• Introduced Mössbauer spectroscopy at Cyanamid; developed applications for hydrodesulfurization of petroleum

1961-1964, Central Research Division, American Cyanamid Company, Stamford, CT 06904

• Conducted research on plasma jet chemistry and heterogeneous catalysis

Education and Academic Experience

• 1998-present — Professor Adjoint (1998-2012) and Research Professor (2012 - present), University of Colorado, Boulder, Department of Chemistry; directed ten Ph.D. students. Taught graduate courses in the Basic Science of Renewable Energy. Advised 31 post-doctoral associates conducting research at NREL.
• 1995 — Guest Lectureship, Gordon Lecture Series on Energy, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv, Israel
• 1982-1985 — Co-directed two M.S. theses at Colorado School of Mines
• 1977-1989 — Outside Member of Examination Committee for Ph.D. theses at University of Colorado, Brown University and universities in Australia, India, and Canada
• 1968-1974 — Lecturer, Graduate courses in Advanced Physical Chemistry and Spectroscopy, Southern Connecticut State College, New Haven, CT
• 1962-1964 — Instructor, physics and math courses, Southern Connecticut State College, Evening Division, New Haven, CT
• 1964-1967 — Yale University, Ph.D. (1967), Physical Chemistry Dissertation: Mössbauer Resonance Studies of Ions in Ice
• 1960-1961 — Yale University, M.S. (1962), Physical Chemistry
• 1953-1956 — Cornell University, B.Ch.E. (1959), Chemical Engineering

Editorships and Editorial Board Service

• Editorial Board, Journal of Renewable and Sustainable Energy (2016-present)
• Guest Editor, Thematic Issue of Chemical Reviews on "Solar Photon Conversion," Nov. 2010
• Editorial Board of Dataset Papers in Nanotechnology (online) (2012)
• Editorial Board, Journal of Energy and Environmental Science (2008-2014)
• Editorial Advisory Board, Nano Energy (new Elsevier journal,  2012 - present)
• Advisory Board, Wiley Series on New Materials for Sustainable Energy and Development (2008–present)
• Senior Editor of The Journal of Physical Chemistry (1993–2005)
• Editorial Board, Journal of Solar Energy Materials and Solar Cells (1985–2013)