Inconspicuously, as he usually does things,
Professor Dr. Bernard (Ben) E. Nieuwenhuys
has reached his retirement age. On this occasion, the Leiden Institute of Chemistry, the Surface Chemistry and Catalysis group (SURFCAT or CASC) of the LIC, and the Physical Chemistry of Surfaces group of Eindhoven University of Technology, will organize a symposium on “Catalytic Surface Science” in lecture hall 2 of the Gorlaeus Laboratory of Leiden University, to take place on Friday May 28, 2010.
Ben studied chemistry in Leiden, and received his PhD at the same university (cum laude) in 1974. After a postdoctoral stay in Berkeley with Prof. Somorjai, he returned to Leiden in 1976, to start a career in surface science and heterogeneous catalysis. From 2002 he was also part-time professor at Eindhoven University of Technology. He also was a “visiting professor” in Strasbourg and Sapporo (Japan).
Ben has published more than 250 scientific papers, which may be characterized by the interesting, important, and in every respect reliable results contained. About adsorption and catalytic reactions at evaporated metallic films, at well-defined single-crystal surfaces, at microfacets in the field emission microscope, and, in recent years, at supported and single-crystalline gold catalysts. If it was deemed necessary for the solution of the problem, also the synchotron in Trieste was employed for his research. With Ben’s approach the mathematical description of the kinetics of surface processes was given a very reliable basis. For us spectators, it was wonderful to watch the oscillating and chaotic reactions made visible by Ben and his co-workers. Very excellent co-workers he had, considering the list of “cum laude” PhD awards. Besides his scientific work, Ben made excellent contributions on the educational and administrative level, both within and outside the university. Many an international journal and organization has profited from his efforts and judgment.
We sincerely hope to meet you in Leiden on May 28 to celebrate Ben’s contribution to science!
