Dr. Richard Robinson to Give 2024 Danforth Lecture

The Department of Chemistry will welcome Dr. Richard Robinson for the 2024 Danforth Lecture on Thursday, November 16.

Robinson received his Ph.D. in applied physics from Columbia University. Since 2008, he has been a faculty member at Cornell University in the Materials Science Department.

Robinson’s lecture, “Nanoparticles 101: Small Particles, Big Impact!” will introduce attendees to the vast power and applications of nanoparticles — tiny particles smaller than 100 nanometers in size. When shrunk to the the nanosize, materials assume new properties that create remarkable possibilities in biochemistry, engineering, and more. Robinson will provide a history of quantum dots — semiconductor nanoparticles with unique optical and electronic properties.

The Danforth Lecture will take place at 11 a.m. in Joe Rosenfeld ’25 Center room 101. It is open to the public as well as the campus community.

About the Danforth Lectureship Series

Since 1979, the Danforth Lectureship has brought a distinguished chemist to Grinnell each year for a seminar or convocation and interactions with students. The lectureship honors Joseph D. Danforth, who served on the Grinnell chemistry faculty from 1947–79. After earning his doctorate from Purdue University, Danforth was an industrial research chemist for ten years before joining the Grinnell faculty. During his time at the College he taught and mentored scores of students who have become distinguished students in their own right.