Dr. Larry A. Curtiss stands as a preeminent figure in computational chemistry and energy storage research with a distinguished career spanning nearly five decades at one of America's premier national laboratories. He currently serves as a Distinguished Fellow and group leader of the Molecular Materials Group within the Materials Science Division at the U.S. Department of Energy's Argonne National Laboratory, a position he has held since 1998. Educated at the University of Wisconsin-Madison where he earned his Bachelor's degree and Carnegie-Mellon University where he completed his doctoral studies, Dr. Curtiss joined Argonne National Laboratory in 1976 as a research associate in the Chemical Technology Division. His career trajectory at Argonne has been marked by steady advancement, rising to become a senior scientist in 1988 and receiving the prestigious designation of Argonne Distinguished Fellow in 2000, reflecting his exceptional contributions to scientific research.
Dr. Curtiss has made seminal contributions to the field of computational chemistry through his co-development of the Gaussian-n series of quantum chemical methods, including the widely adopted G1, G2, G3, and G4 theories that enable highly accurate thermochemical property calculations for molecules and ions. These computational frameworks have become standard tools in quantum chemistry, enabling researchers worldwide to predict molecular energies and properties with unprecedented precision without requiring extensive experimental data. His research has significantly advanced the understanding of energy storage systems, particularly through sophisticated modeling of lithium-ion batteries and exploration of next-generation beyond-lithium-ion technologies. The practical applications of his work extend to the development of more efficient and durable battery systems that could transform electric vehicles and grid-scale energy storage solutions.
Beyond his technical contributions, Dr. Curtiss has played a pivotal leadership role in national energy research initiatives as a senior investigator in the Joint Center for Energy Storage Research, a DOE Energy Storage Hub dedicated to accelerating battery innovation. His expertise has guided the scientific direction of multiple major research centers including his previous service as deputy director of the Center for Electrochemical Energy Science, a DOE Energy Frontier Research Center. Dr. Curtiss maintains active engagement with the computational chemistry community through his longstanding affiliation with the University of Chicago/Argonne Computation Institute and his mentorship of emerging scientists. His current research continues to push the boundaries of computational modeling for next-generation energy storage materials, with particular focus on developing predictive capabilities for novel battery chemistries that could overcome current limitations in energy density and cycle life.
