Jacob Bigeleisen

His research centered on the theoretical foundations of isotope chemistry and critical experiments to test the theory. In a landmark paper with Maria Goeppert Mayer they established the fundamental basis of isotope chemistry in equilibrium systems. Their work had immediate application to technology - isotope separation processes. It stimulated a new field, isotope geochemistry and led to applications in anthropology and biochemistry. He has extended the theory of equilibrium processes to the rates of chemical reactions. This has provided a unique probe for the mechanisms of chemical and biochemical reactions. His theoretical and experimental studies on isotope effects in condensed systems uncovered a number of new quantum effects in liquids and solids.