Klaus MüllenProfessor

Klaus Müllen's broad research interests range from the development of new polymer-forming reactions, including methods of organometallic chemistry, to the chemistry and physics of small molecules, graphenes, dendrimers and biosynthetic hybrids. His work further encompasses the formation of multi-dimensional polymers with complex shape-persistent architectures, nanocomposites, and molecular materials with liquid crystalline properties for electronic and optoelectronic devices.
Klaus Müllen joined the Max Planck Society in 1989 as one of the directors of the Max Planck Institute for Polymer Research. His PhD degree was granted by the University of Basel in 1972. He received his habilitation in 1977 at ETH, Zürich. In 1979 he became a Professor at the University of Cologne, and in 1983 at the Johannes-Gutenberg-University, Mainz. He owns about 60 patents, published over 1700 papers and has a h-index of 125.

Research targets
- New polymer-forming reactions including methods of organometallic chemistry;
- multi-dimensional polymers with complex shape-persistent architectures;
- functional polymeric networks, in particular for catalytic purposes;
- dyes and laser writing into polymers;
- chemistry and physics of single molecules;
- molecular materials with liquid crystalline properties for electronic and optoelectronic devices;
- materials for lithium or hydrogen storage;
- biosynthetic hybrids;
- nanocomposites.

Awards and Lectureships
1990 Visiting Professor, University of Osaka (JSPS)
1993 Max-Planck-Research-Prize
1993 Honorary Professor, East China University of Technology, Shanghai
1995 Richard-Willstätter-Lecturer, Jerusalem
1996 "Capita-Selecta"-Lecturer, Katholieke University of Leuven
1997 Philip-Morris-Research-Prize
1997 Melville-Lecturer, University of Cambridge
1998 Visiting Professor, University of Rennes
1999 Member of the German Academy Leopoldina
2000 Bruno-Werdelmann-Lecturer, University of Essen
2001 Honorary Doctorate Degree, University of Sofia
2001 Bayer Distinguished Lecturer, Washingston University, St. Louis
2001 Smets-Lecturer, Belgium
2001 Nozoe-Award, San Diego
2002 Lane Lecturer, Champaign, University of Urbana
2002 Kyoto University Foundation Award
2003 Science Award of the "Stifterverband"
2005 Visiting Scientist (University of Nice)
2006 International Award of the Belgian Polymer Group
2006 Honorary Professor, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Institute of Applied Chemistry, Changchun
2006 Butler Lecturer, University of Florida, Gainesville, Barré Lecturer, University of Montreal, Bender Lecturer, Northwestern University, Evanston, ICI Distinguished Lecturer, University of Calgary
2007 Otto-Bayer-Lecturer, University of Cologne
2008 Hermanos Elhuyar – Hans Goldschmidt Award of the Spanish Chemical Society, Visiting Professor, University of Bordeaux Honorary Professor, Institute of Chemistry, Beijing, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Bayer Lecturer, University of Pittsburgh, S. Kwolek Lecturer, Carnegie Mellon University, Innovation Award of the State of North Rhine Westphalia, Nicolaus August Otto Award
2009 Visiting Scientist, University of Marseille, The Society of Polymer Science Japan International Award, Honorary Member of the Israel Chemical Society, Honorary Professorship, Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, China
2010 Honorary Professorship, University of Heidelberg, Honorary Doctorate Degree, Karlsruhe Institute of Technology (KIT), The European Research Council (ERC) Advanced Investgator Grant
2011 Polymer Award of the American Chemical Society