Dr. Vilas Pol, Associate Professor in the Davidson School of Chemical Engineering at Purdue University, received the American Chemical Society’s (ACS) Salute to Excellence award at the ACS Middle Atlantic Regional Meeting (MARM) on May 30, 2019.

The ACS MARM 2019 meeting was held in Baltimore, Maryland, and highlighted research in chemistry and technology around the scientific theme, Seeking Solutions Through Chemistry. Professor Paul Smith of the University of Maryland, Baltimore County (UMBC) was a general chair of MARM, in coordination with the ACS. Professor Christopher Hennigan led the Atmospheric and Environmental Chemistry symposium, and presented the Salute to Excellence award to Dr. Pol.

Salutes to Excellence is an ACS recognition that underscores outstanding accomplishments, achievements, or service for individuals who have made a positive impact on everyday life. Since its inception in 2000, more than 500 honorees have received Salutes to Excellence.

2019 is proclaimed the International Year of the Periodic Table of Chemical Elements (IYPT 2019) by the United Nations General Assembly and United Nations Education, Scientific, and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) as it celebrates the 150^th anniversary of the periodic table of chemical elements worldwide.

“The periodic table of 118 chemical elements is a unique tool that enables researchers to forecast the properties and presence of matter on earth, as well as the universe, becoming one of the most remarkable triumphs in science and technology in recent years,” explained Dr. Pol.

Dr. Pol was recognized for his “comprehensive understanding of the periodic table and his commitment to improving the public’s perception by setting a new GUINNESS WORLD RECORD  (GWR) on August 15, 2018 for the fastest time to arrange all elements of the periodic table.” With the GWR record, Dr. Pol inspired current chemistry and chemical engineering students, as well as future generations, to know the periodic table by heart, since it is the foundation of new scientific discoveries.

Dr. Pol joined Purdue Chemical Engineering in 2014, and leads the Vilas Pol Energy Research (ViPER) group mentoring multiple postdocs, graduate, and undergraduate researchers. He has received numerous international awards for his excellence in research activities in the areas of energy storage and sustainable technologies.

Learn more about Professor Vilas Pol at https://engineering.purdue.edu/ViPER/pol.html

Read about Salutes to Excellence at https://www.acs.org/content/acs/en/funding-and-awards/awards/other/salutes.html.