Biographical Sketch of Richard G. Blair

Richard G. Blair

Professor Richard G. Blair, FNAI

Research Professor at the Florida Space Institute

Cluster for the Rational Design of Catalysts for Energy Applications and Propulsion
Center for Advanced Turbomachinery and Energy Research (CATER)

Courtesy appointments in Physics and Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering (MAE)
Ph.D., Materials Chemistry, University of California, Los Angeles

Current Interests:

  1. Catalysis enabling sustainable flight through the decomposition of NH3 into N2 and H2
  2. Boron-based heterogeneous catalysts with high activity due to the presence of defects.
    1. CO2 reduction, photocatalytic hydrogen production, dehydroaromatization, and reverse Haber-Bosch
    2. Measuring and improving reaction kinetics through catalyst preparation and immobilization.
  3. In situ impact analysis during mechanochemical syntheses
  4. IOT laboratory control and monitoring.

Appointments

2016-Present University of Central Florida, Orlando, Florida
Research Professor
Florida Space Institute
Cluster for the Rational Design of Catalysts for Energy Applications and Propulsion
2013 – 2015 University of Central Florida, Orlando, Florida
Researcher
Department of Physics
Cluster for the Rational Design of Catalysts for Energy Applications and Propulsion
2007 – 2013 University of Central Florida, Orlando, Florida
Assistant Professor of Chemistry and Forensic Science
Department of Chemistry
2004 – 2007 Jet Propulsion Laboratory, Pasadena, California
Materials and Device Technologies Group
Postdoctoral Scholar
2004 Eltron Research, Boulder, Colorado
Postdoctoral Scholar
1999 Advanced Micro Devices, Sunnyvale, California
Advanced Assembly Technician
1998 Lawrence Hall of Sciences, Science View, Berkeley, California
Programmer

Education

1999 – 2004 University of California, Los Angeles
Ph.D., Inorganic Chemistry (with Prof. Richard B. Kaner)
1995 – 1997 University of California, Berkeley
M.S., Physical Chemistry (with Prof. Bradley Moore)
1990 – 1994 Hope College, Holland, Michigan
B.S. – A.C.S., Chemistry
B.S., Mathematics

Honors and Awards

  • 2023 – Fellow, National Academy of Inventors
  • 2022 – NSF CGCA Fellow
  • 2007 – NASA Certificate of Recognition for the creative development of a technical innovation
  • 2003 – Departmental Award for Distinguished Teaching – UCLA, Department of Chemistry
  • 2002 – Student Travel Award – Solid State Chemistry I, Gordon Research Conference
  • 2001 – Advancement to Candidacy Fellowship – UCLA
  • 2000 – Department of Education Graduate Assistance in Areas of National Need Fellowship
  • 1993 – Pew Research Fellowship

Professional Societies

  • Pi Mu Epsilon, mathematics honor society
  • Sigma Xi, research honor society
  • Alpha Chi Sigma, chemistry fraternity
  • American Chemical Society
  • Royal Society of Chemistry