Alec Wodtke

Alec Wodtke is a Research Professor at the Department of Physical Chemistry, Georg-August University Göttingen, Germany, and a Director and Scientific Member of the Max Planck Society at the Max Planck Institute for Biophysical Chemistry. He holds a B.A. in Chemistry from the University of Utah (1981) and a Ph.D. in Physical Chemistry from UC Berkeley (1986). His career includes roles as Assistant/Associate/Full Professor at UC Santa Barbara and leadership positions such as Chairman of the Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry (2003–2009).

• Education:
  • Bachelor of Arts in Chemistry, University of Utah (1981)
  • Ph.D. in Physical Chemistry, UC Berkeley (1986)

His research focuses on electronically nonadiabatic energy transfer at surfaces, particularly the breakdown of the Born-Oppenheimer approximation in molecular-surface interactions. Key areas include vibrationally promoted electron emission, energy conversion mechanisms, and surface dynamics. His work bridges theory and experiment, advancing understanding of atomic-scale energy conversion processes.

Publications highlight contributions to surface chemistry, quantum dynamics, and materials science. Notable findings include inverse velocity dependence of electron emission and insights into nonadiabatic transitions in HCl/Au collisions.

He leads the Max Planck Institute’s research in biophysical chemistry and directs international initiatives like the Partnership for International Research and Education in Electrochemistry and Catalysis at Interfaces.