A world leader in surface science research, Tuteja has built a vibrant research enterprise at U-M involving ice-phobic, ice-shedding and anti-fouling coatings that have exciting real-life applications.
MSE and Macro is proud to announce that Professor Anish Tuteja recently received the David E. Liddle Research Excellence Award from the College of Engineering for his world-renowned work in the field of surface science. Utilizing polymers to fabricate innovative materials, Tuteja has engineered ice-phobic, ice-shedding and anti-fouling properties that are key to many exciting real-life applications. In the very near future his coatings could prevent windshields and airplane wings from icing over, cargo ships from taking on barnacles, and smart phones from being soiled by sticky fingers — among countless other uses.
As a colleague stated: “Anish is one of the leading researchers in anti-icing and icephobic surface coatings…Given his outstanding track record, I believe that he is well poised to continue as a world leader in his current surface science research area and a broader perspective on materials.”
Tuteja’s work has been notably impactful as evidenced by the high number of citations (over 15,000 Google Scholar citations) and numerous publications in high-impact journals, such as Science, Science Advances, and Nature Communications. His research breakthroughs have been considered newsworthy by TV, radio, and media outlets across the globe, including NBC, NPR, The New York Times, Washington Post, The Wall Street Journal, etc. His work on super-oleo- phobic surfaces was highlighted as one of the “top five new discoveries that will change the world.”
Tuteja has built a vibrant research enterprise at U-M, establishing a strong track record of external funding from a wide variety of different funding agencies, companies, and foundation entities. Most recently, he received a $12 million DARPA grant to design coatings that can be used to engineer the formation of ice by altering the freezing point, changing its adhesion to surface, and enhancing or suppressing the growth of ice crystals.
His research outcomes also have great practical value, as his 12 licensed and eight pending patents unequivocally testify. Over the years he has translated his research-based patented inventions into co-founding three start-up companies, which are expected to generate at least a dozen commercial products.
Tuteja joined the U-M faculty in 2009 after earning a Ph.D. in chemical engineering and materials science from Michigan State University in 2006 and serving as a postdoc research associate at MIT from 2006-2009.
Congratulations, Anish!