Citation for Chemical Breakthrough Awards
In 2006, the Division of the History of Chemistry (HIST) of the American Chemical Society announced the first recipients of the then new Citation for Chemical Breakthrough award program. This award, which recognizes breakthrough publications, books and patents worldwide in the fields of science embraced by the ACS, are presented to the institutions at which the work was performed. One book, three patents and six scientific publications were honored in 2006, the earliest being Moses Gomberg's 1900 classic paper on free radicals.
The term "breakthrough" refers to advances that have been revolutionary in concept, broad in scope, and long-term in impact. Plaques, to be placed in the hallways outside the office or laboratory where the breakthroughs were achieved, will be presented to the departments and institutions at which these breakthroughs occurred. Jeffrey I. Seeman, then Chair of HIST and creator of the award, in 2006 said that the award is intended to “celebrate great scientific accomplishments and motivate, through shared pride of achievement. We hope that all who walk by and see the plaques will say, ‘Wow! That was done here.’”
Call for nominations for the 2023 Citation for Chemical Breakthrough awards - deadline March 1, 2024.
- General Award Information
- Nomination Information and Required Nomination Form for 2024 Award Year (Due March 1, 2024)
- Award Committees (2006 to present)
- The plaques
- "HIST's Citation for Chemical Breakthrough Awards: The First Paper or The 'Breakthrough' Paper" by Jeff Seeman
- Award Committee member since 2006, on assessing scientific contributions and the design of award programs.
- Annual Reports
- 2015 ChemLuminary Award to HIST for the Citation for Chemical Breakthrough Award Program
- Additional Tributes
- Articles in the Bulletin for the History of Chemistry concerning the Citation for Chemical Breakthrough Awards
- Acknowledgements
- Citation for Chemical Breakthrough Awardees by Year
(with links to additional information) - Additional Tables for Citation for Chemical Breakthrough Awards
| 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | |||
| 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | 2016 | 2015 | 2014 | 2013 |
| 2012 | 2011 | 2010 | 2009 | 2008 | 2007 | 2006 |
- Citation for Chemical Breakthrough Award Locations.
Interactive searchable map of locations that have received a Citation for Chemical Breakthrough Award (2006 to 2020). Clicking on a placemarker reveals an information panel with further information about the author and the publication. Compiled by Carmen Giunta using Google My Maps.
