C. Austen Angell was a Regents Professor at Arizona State University, holding the institution's highest faculty honor, and is widely recognized as one of the most versatile physical chemists of his generation. Born in Canberra, Australia in 1933, he earned his B.Sc. and M.Sc. degrees from the University of Melbourne before completing his Ph.D. at London University's Imperial College, where he received the prestigious Armstrong Medal for his graduate research. His academic journey began with teaching at Melbourne University from 1962-64, followed by postdoctoral work at Argonne National Laboratory, and a significant tenure at Purdue University where he became a full professor in 1971. After approximately two decades at Purdue, Angell transitioned to Arizona State University in 1989, where he established a prominent research program in materials chemistry that would define the latter part of his distinguished career.
Angell's groundbreaking research primarily focused on the fundamental properties of liquids and glasses, with his concept of fragility becoming a cornerstone theory that transformed the understanding of glass-forming systems. His scholarly output includes 520 publications, with an impressive 78 cited more than 100 times and 6 exceeding 1000 citations, resulting in an H-index of 88 that reflects his substantial impact across multiple scientific disciplines. Beyond his foundational work on glass science, he made significant contributions to geochemical, biophysical, and energy storage fields, particularly in battery electrolyte research, demonstrating exceptional versatility that bridged traditionally separate scientific domains. His research has been consistently recognized for its theoretical depth and practical applications, influencing both academic understanding and technological development in materials science.
Throughout his career, Angell received numerous prestigious awards from four different scientific societies, including the American Chemical Society's Hildebrand Award, the Materials Research Society's Turnbull Lectureship, the American Ceramic Society's Morey and Cooper Scholar awards, and the Electrochemical Society's Bredig Award, among others. Remembered as a charismatic and humble scholar with restless curiosity and an open mind, he inspired generations of scientists worldwide, earning the description of 'an icon, a source of inspiration and a true friend' among young researchers. His legacy extends beyond publications and awards to his profound influence on how scientists understand the glassy state and liquid properties, with his work continuing to shape research directions in multiple fields long after his active career. Angell's interdisciplinary approach and willingness to explore connections between seemingly disparate domains established him as a model for versatile scientific inquiry that transcends traditional disciplinary boundaries.
