Dr. Gero Decher is a pioneering physical chemist whose innovative work has fundamentally transformed nanomaterials fabrication methodologies across scientific disciplines. He currently holds the distinguished position of "Professeur classe exceptionnelle" at the Faculty of Chemistry of University of Strasbourg, where he has established himself as a global authority in nanoscale assembly techniques. After completing his PhD in Organic Chemistry in 1986 from Johannes Gutenberg University of Mainz, Germany, he conducted postdoctoral research at Ciba-Geigy AG in Fribourg, Switzerland, working with Bernd Tieke on non-centrosymmetric Langmuir-Blodgett films. His academic career advanced significantly when he served as an Assistant Professor with Helmuth Möhwald at Johannes Gutenberg University of Mainz from 1988 to 1994, where he began his groundbreaking research that would define his scientific legacy.
Dr. Decher is internationally renowned as the inventor of the layer-by-layer (LbL) assembly technique, a simple yet powerful nanofabrication method that has enabled revolutionary advances across multiple scientific and engineering domains. His seminal work on polyelectrolyte multilayers has provided the foundation for developing biocompatible coatings on medical devices, ultrastrong nanocomposites, neural interfaces, charge-storage devices, gas separation systems, fire retardants, and gene delivery platforms. Over his distinguished career, his research has consistently focused on macromolecules at interfaces, nanocomposite (bio)materials, functional nanoparticles, and thin-film devices. The profound impact of his contributions is evident in the widespread adoption of LbL assembly by researchers worldwide, establishing it as a fundamental technique in nanotechnology and materials science.
Beyond his technical contributions, Dr. Decher serves as a MANA Principal Investigator (Satellite PI) at the National Institute for Materials Science in Japan, extending his influence to the international research community through collaborative initiatives. His authoritative text "Multilayer Thin Films: Sequential Assembly of Nanocomposite Materials" has become the definitive reference in the field, guiding researchers in both academic and industrial settings worldwide. As a senior member of the Institut Universitaire and Distinguished Professor at the University of Strasbourg, he continues to mentor the next generation of scientists while advancing his current research on the assembly of multi-nanocomposites with complex anisotropies. His enduring legacy lies in creating a versatile nanofabrication platform that continues to inspire new applications and drive innovation across materials science, biotechnology, and engineering disciplines globally.
