Dr. Steven M. George is a distinguished professor and internationally recognized leader in surface chemistry and atomic-scale materials engineering at the University of Colorado Boulder. He holds a prominent position in the Department of Chemistry with laboratory facilities in Ekeley Hall, where he has established one of the world's premier research centers for thin film technologies. After receiving his B.S. in Chemistry from Yale University in 1977 and his Ph.D. in Chemistry from the University of California, Berkeley in 1983, he rapidly emerged as a visionary in surface science, earning numerous prestigious early career awards including the Presidential Young Investigator Award and the Alfred P. Sloan Foundation Fellowship. His academic journey has been marked by consistent innovation and leadership, with his laboratory serving as a nexus for interdisciplinary collaboration across chemistry, chemical engineering, mechanical engineering, and physics.
Dr. George's pioneering research in atomic layer deposition (ALD), atomic layer etching (ALE), and molecular layer deposition (MLD) has fundamentally transformed the science and engineering of ultrathin films and nanostructures, with methodologies now considered industry standards across semiconductor manufacturing, advanced battery development, and flexible display technologies. With over 450 publications and 24 issued patents, his work has catalyzed a paradigm shift in how researchers approach nanoscale materials design, establishing rigorous in situ measurement techniques that have become essential tools for the field. His development of novel surface chemistries for thin film growth has enabled unprecedented precision in materials engineering, with practical applications spanning semiconductor processing, MEMS/NEMS devices, lithium-ion batteries, and fuel cells. The widespread adoption of ALD technologies across multiple industries demonstrates the profound impact of his contributions to both fundamental science and technological innovation.
Beyond his research achievements, Dr. George has played a pivotal role in shaping the global scientific community through his leadership as President of the AVS (2014) and as chair of the inaugural AVS International Conference on Atomic Layer Deposition (2001). His commitment to translating fundamental research into real-world applications led to the co-founding of ALD NanoSolutions, Inc., which successfully commercialized ALD technology before merging with Forge Nano in 2020. As a dedicated mentor, he has trained numerous graduate students and postdoctoral researchers who have gone on to prominent positions in academia and industry, while his service as a Fellow of both the American Physical Society and the AVS has helped define research directions for the entire field. Currently, his laboratory continues to push the boundaries of atomic layer processing with new innovations in sustainable energy technologies and advanced materials for next-generation electronics, maintaining his position at the forefront of surface chemistry and nanoscale engineering.
