John M. Prausnitz: Bridging abstractions and realities

Abstract

This Founders Tribute issue honors John Prausnitz as an exceptional intellectual leader, scholar, and educator and summarizes his impact on chemical engineering. John's early vision of connecting fundamental molecular theory to practical thermodynamic applications with Molecular Thermodynamics was an essential element in our profession's paradigm shift from empiricism to engineering science. John's writings and lectures have transformed our core knowledge and guided its utilization into areas well outside traditional engineering bounds. Further, he has vigorously advocated for technology to be considered in the context of all of life and as a human enterprise. Finally, John's personal interactions across generations and disciplines have inspired the personal and professional development of a vast community of students, coworkers, and colleagues. In countless ways, John Prausnitz has influenced the contemporary foundation and functioning of chemical engineering and of realms beyond. © 2015 American Institute of Chemical Engineers AIChE J, 61: 2675–2688, 2015