Professor Paul Mulvaney stands as a distinguished leader in the field of nanoscience and physical chemistry, renowned for his pioneering contributions to surface science and nanotechnology. He currently holds the prestigious position of Laureate Professor of Chemistry in the School of Chemistry and Bio21 Institute at the University of Melbourne, where he also serves as Director of the ARC Centre of Excellence in Exciton Science. After earning his PhD from the University of Melbourne in 1989 with research on surface electron transfer reactions under Professor Franz Grieser, he established an impressive international research trajectory through positions at the Argonne National Laboratory, Hahn-Meitner-Institute for Nuclear Research in Berlin, and multiple Humboldt Research Fellowships in Germany. His distinguished career has been marked by significant recognition including ARC Federation Fellowship (2006-2010) and ARC Laureate Fellowship (2011-2015), cementing his reputation as one of Australia's most influential chemical scientists.
Mulvaney's groundbreaking research has fundamentally transformed the field of nanoscience through his development of surface plasmon spectroscopy (SPS), a technique that exploits the unique optical properties of metal nanocrystals to monitor surface chemical reactions in real time. He was the first researcher to successfully measure rates of electron transfer to metal nanocrystals and to track the nucleation and growth of silver particles from individual atoms to bulk material, establishing foundational methodologies now widely adopted across the discipline. His work has enabled the optical detection of electrons in metal nanostructures, creating a versatile platform that has opened new avenues for single molecule sensing and biolabeling applications. With an impressive H-index of 120 and over 69,000 citations, his research has not only contributed to the development of plasmonics as a multidisciplinary field but has also demonstrated exceptional translational potential across energy conversion and materials science applications.
As a Fellow of the Australian Academy of Science since 2009 and the Royal Society of Chemistry since 2014, Mulvaney has significantly shaped the national and international scientific landscape through his leadership as chair of the National Committee for Chemistry. He continues to push the boundaries of nanoscience by focusing on the assembly of nanocrystals into ordered arrays, addressing critical challenges in nanotechnology processing that have hindered the transition from fundamental discoveries to practical applications. His laboratory remains at the forefront of investigating novel approaches to build with nanoscale materials, combining expertise in materials science, chemical synthesis, and colloid chemistry to overcome longstanding barriers in the field. Looking forward, Professor Mulvaney's vision for advancing nanocrystal assembly techniques promises to catalyze the next generation of nanotechnology applications in solar energy conversion and beyond, ensuring his continued influence on both fundamental science and practical technological innovation.
