Three scientists at the Department of Energy's Pacific Northwest National Laboratory have been elected to the rank of Fellow in the American Physical Society. David Asner, Don Baer and Chris Mundy were selected for the honor, which recognizes exceptional contributions to physics, including outstanding research, important applications of physics, leadership or service to the physics community or significant contributions to physics education.

Asner's research focuses on searching for new particles, new interactions and new phenomena by understanding the most fundamental parts of the universe. He leads high energy particle physics experiments that re-create the conditions found in the first fraction of a second after the Big Bang. Technology transfer from particle physics plays a role in a wide variety of areas, including the Web, grid computing (the predecessor to cloud computing), and new medical therapies, devices, and diagnostics that improve and extend human life.

Baer's research advanced the molecular-level understanding of environmentally important interactions between nanoparticles and contaminants, mineral dissolution and material cracking. His research has applications to removing contaminants in water and understanding the impacts of nanoparticles on biological systems.

Mundy's research focuses on the complex processes that occur at the air-water interface. He was recognized for using quantum mechanics tools to form a molecular picture of the structure and dynamics of this important interface. Understanding these interfaces plays an important role in weather, medicine, and innovative materials that are exploited in the emerging field of nanoscience.

PNNL now has 13 active staff members who hold the rank of APS Fellow. The three new members will be honored at their division meetings in 2015.

APS works to advance knowledge of physics through its research journals, scientific meetings, and education, outreach, advocacy and international activities. The organization has more than 50,000 members and selection as an APS Fellow is limited to no more than one half of one percent of the membership each year.

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