Dr. George W. Scherer stands as a preeminent figure in materials science whose career has profoundly shaped our understanding of building materials and their durability. He currently holds the distinguished title of William L. Knapp '47 Professor of Civil and Environmental Engineering at Princeton University, where he was appointed to full professorship in February 1996 after building an impressive research portfolio. Born in Teaneck, New Jersey in 1949, Scherer has dedicated over four decades to advancing the scientific principles that govern material behavior in construction and conservation contexts. His academic journey has been marked by a steadfast commitment to bridging theoretical materials science with practical engineering applications, establishing him as a leading authority in his field. Now serving as Professor Emeritus at both the Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering and the Princeton Institute for the Science and Technology of Materials, Scherer continues to influence the discipline through his ongoing scholarly contributions.
Professor Scherer's seminal research in sol-gel science, cement chemistry, and the conservation of historic structures represents a cornerstone of modern materials engineering knowledge. His groundbreaking investigations into the mechanisms of deterioration affecting concrete and stone have provided the scientific foundation for preserving architectural heritage and enhancing the longevity of contemporary infrastructure. Through his rigorous exploration of transport phenomena in porous media and nucleation and growth processes, Scherer has developed critical frameworks for predicting material performance under diverse environmental stresses. His work elegantly demonstrates how material structure controls properties and how processing techniques influence resulting structures, principles that have become fundamental to the field of materials science. These contributions have not only advanced academic understanding but have also yielded practical methodologies adopted by engineers and conservators worldwide.
Beyond his direct research achievements, Scherer has cultivated a lasting legacy through his mentorship of countless engineers and scientists, many of whom have gone on to lead their own research initiatives in academia and industry. His research group at Princeton has served as an intellectual hub for innovative studies on building materials, fostering interdisciplinary collaborations that span civil engineering, chemistry, and conservation science. The practical applications of his work extend from modern skyscrapers and bridges to the careful restoration of ancient monuments, demonstrating the universal relevance of his materials science principles across historical and contemporary contexts. As an emeritus professor, Scherer remains actively engaged in the scientific community through his continued publications, participation in scholarly forums, and advisory roles, ensuring that his commitment to scientific rigor and practical application continues to guide future advancements in materials engineering and conservation science.
