معرفی
Walter G. Chapman is the William W. Akers Chair Professor of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering at Rice University, where he also serves as Director of Undergraduate Studies. He holds a Guest Professorship at Hamburg University of Technology. Previously, he served as Associate Dean of Engineering for Energy Research, Chair of the Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering Department, and Director of the Energy and Environmental Systems Institute at Rice. His research focuses on molecular-level understanding of material properties using tools like molecular simulation, NMR, and statistical mechanics, with applications in polymer solutions, associating fluids, and energy materials. He developed widely-applied models such as the SAFT equation of state and iSAFT density functional theory.
Dr. Chapman earned his B.S. in Chemical Engineering (Summa Cum Laude) from Clemson University in 1983 and Ph.D. from Cornell University in 1988. After postdoctoral work at Shell Development Company, he joined Rice in 1990. His honors include the Humboldt Prize, Donald L. Katz Award, and Clemson's Outstanding Young Alumni Award.
Research interests include:
- Phase behavior of polymers and associating fluids
- NMR relaxation mechanisms in confined systems
- MRI contrast agent design
- Thermodynamic modeling for energy applications
- Gas hydrate formation and flow assurance
Recent work advances molecular dynamics algorithms linking NMR relaxation to material properties, with breakthroughs in MRI contrast agent stability and shale nanopore characterization. His group collaborates on cryogenic membrane gas separation and CO₂ sequestration modeling.
Awards:
- Humboldt Prize
- Donald L. Katz Award
- Outstanding Young Alumni (Clemson University)
- Multiple teaching awards
His research group operates at the interface of theory and experiment, developing novel computational tools validated through advanced spectroscopy. Active in industry partnerships, his models are used in energy and materials sectors worldwide.
