Festschrift for Abraham Nitzan

Abraham Nitzan, the Donner Professor of Physical Sciences at the University of Pennsylvania and Emeritus Professor at Tel Aviv University, has made seminal contributions to theoretical chemistry. His pioneering research in chemical dynamics has significantly advanced our understanding of the physical underpinnings of complex and condensed phase chemical processes. Nitzan’s work encompasses a wide range of topics, including relaxation and energy transfer in molecular systems, theories of chemical reaction rates in condensed phases, ionic transport in complex environments, electromagnetic and electronic interactions in small particles and clusters, and the optical properties and photochemistry of molecules on surfaces and interfaces. A major focus of his work has been a focus on charge transfer and charge separation phenomena in condensed phases, at interfaces, and in nanojunctions, along with molecular electronics and the thermodynamics of energy conversion processes. His studies are characterized by profound physical insight and the development of innovative models that are “as simple as possible, but not simpler.”

Nitzan’s contributions have been widely recognized. He is a member of the National Academy of Sciences, the American Academy of Arts and Sciences, and the Israel Academy of Arts and Sciences. His numerous awards include the Humboldt Award (1995), the Israel Chemical Society Award (2003) and Medal (2015), the Israel Prize in Chemistry (2010), the EMET Prize (2012), the Hirschfelder Prize in Theoretical Chemistry (2017), the American Physical Society Plyler Prize for Molecular Spectroscopy & Dynamics (2019), and the American Chemical Society Award in Theoretical Chemistry (2020). He is also a Fellow of the American Physical Society and the American Association for the Advancement of Science, and in 2010 he received an honorary doctorate from the University of Konstanz.

Beyond his groundbreaking scientific achievements, Nitzan is celebrated for his dedication to mentoring generations of scientists, having supervised 18 graduate students and 24 postdocs. He has published over 350 articles and authored the comprehensive text “Chemical Dynamics in Condensed Phases” (Oxford University Press, 2006).

This special issue honors Abraham Nitzan on the occasion of his 80th birthday, celebrating his influential contributions to theoretical chemistry. It will highlight advancements in chemical dynamics, surface-enhanced electromagnetic phenomena, molecular electronics, and related areas, underscoring the enduring impact of his work on contemporary science.