Lanny D. Schmidt

Lanny D. Schmidt
Lanny D. Schmidt
Born(1938-05-06)May 6, 1938
DiedMarch 27, 2020(2020-03-27) (aged 81)
Alma materUniversity of Chicago
Wheaton College
Known forCatalytic Partial Oxidation
reactive flash volatilization, millisecond reactors, detailed balance chemistry, and thermochemical biomass conversion.
AwardsHumboldt Prize (Germany, 1994)
National Academy of Engineering (1994)
Parravano Award (Michigan Catalysis Society, 1987)
Neal R. Amundson Award for Excellence in Chemical Reaction Engineering (2013)
Scientific career
FieldsChemistry, chemical engineering
InstitutionsUniversity of Minnesota
Doctoral advisorRobert Gomer
Notable studentsYannís G. Kevrekidis, Raymond Gorte, Bob McCabe, Maria Flytzani-Stephanopoulos, Dionisios Vlachos, Paul Dauenhauer
External videos
“Voices of Excellence: Students, Faculty and Alumni of CEMS”
External videos
“CEMS UMN Perspectives with Lanny D. Schmidt, Regents Professor Emeritus”

Lanny D. Schmidt (May 6, 1938 – March 27, 2020) was an American chemist, inventor, author, and Regents Professor of Chemical Engineering and Materials Science at the University of Minnesota. He is well known for his extensive work in surface science, detailed chemistry (microkinetics), chemical reaction engineering, catalysis, and renewable energy. He is also well known for mentoring over a hundred graduate students and his work on millisecond reactors and reactive flash volatilization.