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Introduction to the Michael R. Wasielewski Festschrift It is a pleasure for us to be Guest Editors of this special issue of The Journal of Physical Chemistry B in honor of Michael R. Wasielewski celebrating his birthday and his science. We thank all the colleagues and friends of Mike who have joined in contributing to this issue: the number, the quality, and the breadth of topics of the papers collected here testify to Mike’s scientific impact and to his inspiring qualities. He has made seminal contributions to the fields of electron transfer and photochemistry in the context of chemistry, biology, and materials, as described in the Biography of this volume. These contributions have been recognized by a number of prizes, recently, and most notably the 2008 Porter Medal for Photochemistry. A major theme of Mike’s research has been the electron transfer and spin dynamics in photosynthetic reaction centers and model complexes, and he has for many years played a leading role in the science of artificial photosynthesis. Other areas where he has made important contributions include molecular electronics and switches, electron transport in molecular wires and DNA, and self-assembly of photoactive molecular constructs. He has consistently addressed fundamental questions and principles, combining deep insight and experimental innovation. These pursuits have frequently involved the design and synthesis of large, multicomponent molecules that his group studied with time-resolved laser spectroscopy and EPR techniques, as well as with theoretical methods. Mike has kept his early fascination for science, technology, and how things work, ranging from radios and space ships to lasers and chemical reactions. This curiosity has not only been an advantage when building experiments but has also made it equally likelysin particular, during late night sessions at conferencessto find him discussing electron spin dynamics as it was to find him discussing sci-fi literature, history, or politics. Mike’s work ethic and enthusiasm for science set the tone for his productive and highly interactive research group, in which organic, physical, and materials chemists collaborate to tackle all aspects of the group’s interdisciplinary problems. Much of Mike’s work has been conducted in collaborative efforts, many of them longstanding, with colleagues near and far both in terms of expertise and affiliation. A most recent and important example is the Argonne-Northwestern Solar Energy Research Center (ANSER) that he directs. His leadership in this center testifies to his broad scientific views and deep interest in the science of chemical solar energy conversion, as well as his abilities to collaborate and inspire. Consequently, we and many other former co-workers, collaboration partners, and colleagues wish to join in congratulating Mike on the occasion of his 60th birthday!
Malcolm Forbes Leif Hammarstro¨m Josh Vura-Weis Emily Weiss JP108756K
10.1021/jp108756k 2010 American Chemical Society Published on Web 11/11/2010
