The American Chemical Society has announced that Mas Subramanian, a university distinguished professor of chemistry and Milton Harris chair of materials science, will receive the 2025 American Chemical Society National Award in Inorganic Chemistry.
This prestigious award recognizes Subramanian’s seminal contributions to the advancement of science and technology of inorganic solid-state materials in various fields. His award citation states: “For a record of making discoveries of new functional solid-state inorganic materials with exciting properties and transforming them into knowledge and practical applications.”
Subramanian is an internationally distinguished leader in the development and commercialization of new functional materials, achieved through a deep understanding of the crystal structure-composition-property relationships. These materials have applications in numerous fields including electronics, solid-state energy conversion and storage, catalysis and durable high-performance color pigments. "Mas' work is an incredible example of how curiosity-driven research in the College of Science advances knowledge and leads to practical breakthroughs in a wide diversity of areas," said Dean Eleanor Feingold.
His achievements include publishing more than 400 peer-reviewed articles, including the highest cited paper ever in the Journal of Solid State Chemistry. Subramanian holds 83 U.S. and international patents and received the prestigious Perkin Medal from the Society of Dyers and Colorists. He is also an elected Fellow of the American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS) and the Neutron Scattering Society of America (NSSA).
Subramanian is celebrated for discovering YInMn Blue, the first new intense blue pigment in over 200 years. This groundbreaking discovery, made in 2009, garnered worldwide attention for the color’s brightness and unprecedentedly strong heat-reflecting properties, which can be used in energy-saving coatings for buildings and automobiles to help mitigate climate change.
“I am deeply grateful for this recognition that our research on solid state inorganic chemistry plays an important role in developing a chemical future that is sustainable, energy efficient, and environmentally safe,” said Subramanian. "The list of previous awardees is quite impressive, and I’m truly humbled and honored to receive this national-level recognition.”
Subramanian earned his bachelor's degree in chemistry from the University of Madras, India, and his doctoral degree in inorganic solid state chemistry from the Indian Institute of Technology, Madras, India. After spending 22 years as a Scientist at DuPont R&D (USA), Subramanian joined the Oregon State chemistry faculty in 2006 as the Milton Harris Chair of Materials Science and was subsequently appointed as University Distinguished Professor of Chemistry.
“Prof. Subramanian is an exceptional scientist, and we are extremely proud of this recognition,” said Wei Kong, head of the Department of Chemistry. “Oregon State and the chemistry department are fortunate to have Dr. Subramanian as a member of our community. He is a strong, positive role model for our students”
According to the American Chemical Society, the ACS Award in Inorganic Chemistry is given every year to recognize “…outstanding research in the preparation, properties, reactions, or structure of inorganic substances. Special consideration is given to independence of thought and originality.”
