Herman Batelaan, physics and astronomy, received the 2026 Davisson-Germer Prize from the American Physical Society. The award, presented since 1969 by APS, recognizes outstanding work in the fields of atomic physics and surface science. Batelaan was selected for his cutting-edge work revealing how electrons behave in the world of quantum physics, particularly his role in developing the field of free-electron quantum optics. He will be recognized at the APS March Meeting in Denver.
Jiong Hu, civil and environmental engineering, was named a fellow of the American Concrete Institute. Fellows are selected for outstanding contributions to the production or use of concrete materials, products and structures and for service to ACI. Hu has more than 20 years of experience in the professional practice of transportation and the built environment materials field, particularly in the concrete materials area.
Yanan “Laura” Wang, electrical and computer engineering, earned the U.S. Department of Energy’s Early Career Research Program Award. The DOE program is a prestigious initiative that supports outstanding early-career scientists in pursuing high-impact research, with only 80-90 researchers supported across the nation each year. With program support, Wang will advance her work on a special family of materials called van der Waals layered crystals.
