William Hughes Miller facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
William Miller
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William Miller in 2015, portrait via the Royal Society
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William Hughes Miller
March 16, 1941 |
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| Spouse(s) | Margaret Ann Westbrook |
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| Scientific career | |
| Fields | Theoretical chemistry |
| Institutions | University of California, Berkeley |
William Hughes Miller, born on March 16, 1941, in Kosciusko, Mississippi, is an important American scientist. He is a professor at the University of California, Berkeley and a leading expert in a field called theoretical chemistry. This area of science uses math and computers to understand how chemicals react and behave.
What William Miller Studies
William Miller is famous for creating new ways to understand how chemicals move and change during reactions. These methods help scientists predict what will happen when different chemicals mix.
From 1989 to 1993, he was the head of the chemistry department at the University of California, Berkeley. Since 1999, he has been known as the Kenneth S. Pitzer Distinguished Professor at the same university. This title shows he is a very respected teacher and researcher.
Awards and Recognition
Professor Miller has received many important awards for his work in chemistry. These awards show how much his discoveries have helped the world of science.
In 2011, he became a member of the German Academy of Sciences Leopoldina. This is a very old and respected science academy in Germany.
In 2015, he was chosen as a Foreign Member of the Royal Society (ForMemRS) of London. The Royal Society is one of the oldest and most famous scientific organizations in the world. When he was nominated, they said that his work over 45 years has shaped the entire field of theoretical chemical dynamics.
Why His Work is Important
They explained that his key contributions include:
- A complete theory for how atoms and molecules collide.
- A clever theory for processes where electrons and atomic nuclei move together.
- A very accurate theory for understanding tiny quantum events, like when particles "tunnel" through barriers.
- A clear and exact theory for how fast chemical reactions happen.
These important ideas are why scientists can now accurately compare their theories with what they see in experiments. His work is the foundation for almost all modern research in understanding chemical reactions.
In 2007, Miller received the Welch Award in Chemistry. He is also a member of the National Academy of Sciences in the U.S. and the International Academy of Quantum Molecular Science. These memberships are a big honor, showing that he is among the top scientists in the world.
