Larry A. Curtiss

Larry A. Curtiss is an Argonne Distinguished Fellow in the Materials Science Division at Argonne National Laboratory, operated by UChicago Argonne, LLC under contract with the University of Chicago. With over 540 publications spanning five decades, his research has profoundly impacted computational chemistry and energy storage technologies. His career began with a PhD from Carnegie-Mellon University in 1973 under Nobel laureate John Pople, followed by positions at Battelle Memorial Institute (1973-1976) before joining Argonne in 1977.

Curtiss's research focuses on computational chemistry, particularly the development of quantum chemical methods (G1, G2, G3, and G4 theories) and their application to materials science problems. His work has significantly advanced understanding of battery systems, especially lithium-ion, lithium-oxygen, and lithium-sulfur technologies. Recent research emphasizes computational studies of electrolyte design, anode materials, and reaction mechanisms in next-generation energy storage systems. His publication record shows consistent productivity through 2025, with recent work exploring superoxide-based batteries, liquid organic hydrogen carriers, and multiscale modeling approaches.

Curtiss has received significant recognition including being named an Argonne Distinguished Fellow and listed as a Highly Cited Researcher in Chemistry by ISI. His work has practical applications with more than 5 patents to his name. He has made substantial contributions to understanding fundamental reaction mechanisms in catalysis and energy storage, with particular emphasis on computational approaches that bridge molecular-level understanding with macroscopic battery performance.