Miklos Kertesz

Miklos Kertesz is a Professor of Chemistry at Georgetown University, where he served as Department Chair from 2000–2002. He holds a PhD from the University of Budapest and a C.Sc. from the Hungarian Academy of Sciences. His research focuses on applied quantum chemistry, particularly in designing synthetic metals and studying π-stacking interactions, nanotube chemistry, and energy storage materials. He received the Camille and Henry Dreyfus Teacher-Scholar Award in 1984.

Education: Dipl. Phys. (1971, University of Budapest); PhD (1978, University of Budapest); C.Sc. (1978, Hungarian Academy of Sciences). Postdoctoral training at University of Florida, Cornell University, and the University of Vienna. His lab explores molecular actuators, carbon nanomaterials, and vibrational spectroscopy of polymers. Research highlights include predicting vibrational spectra of polymers and developing methodologies for π-π stacking interactions in radicals.

Key research interests include: structural-electronic properties of conducting polymers, nanotube functionalization, and silicon carbide-derived nanoporous carbons for energy storage. His work bridges computational chemistry and experimental validation, emphasizing molecular-level design for advanced materials.

Publications span over 50 years, with recent focus on pancake bonding in carbon nanomaterials, topological transitions in conjugated polymers, and novel π-dimer systems. Awards include the Dreyfus Fellowship and recognition for integrating teaching and research excellence.

Lab activities involve collaborations with experimentalists to explore molecular storage in nanoporous carbons and mechanochemical polymerization processes. Current projects investigate diradicaloid systems and strain-induced electronic changes in conjugated materials.