Dr. Oliver Hemmers
Education
Dr. rer. nat. (PhD) 1993, Technical University Berlin, Germany, Physics, "Correlation Effects in small Molecules", Department of Radiation and Nuclear Physics
Diploma (Masters) 1988, Technical University Berlin, Germany, Physics, "Studies of Correlation Effects in Molecules with Synchrotron Radiation" Department of Radiation and Nuclear Physics
Professional Experience
Oliver Hemmers began his post-graduate studies at the Fritz-Haber-Institute (Surface Science) of the Max-Planck Society in Berlin 1993-1994 working on X-ray spectroscopy research on atoms molecules and carbon-nano-particles. He joined the Department of Chemistry at UNLV in 1994 first as post-doctoral fellow funded by the German Research Foundation and then as research professor. Hemmers was named director of the Office of Strategic Energy Programs in 2006 and became the executive director of the Harry Reid Center (HRC) in 2008. In late 2009 (until the end of 2010) he was named executive director of the Transportation Research Center and from 2010 - 2011 took on the role of acting director of the Marjorie Barrick Museum, both part of the HRC.
In his current position, Hemmers is leading the HRC to meet the demands of interdisciplinary research across campus and is orchestrating campus-wide efforts including research, education and outreach. Hemmers is the UNLV managerial point of contact for the Nevada Renewable Energy Consortium and the state-wide task leader for Solar Energy Research projects within the Consortium.
Hemmers’ research interests include applications of x-ray spectroscopy using synchrotron radiation on gases, solids and surfaces to probe electronic structures, correlations and processes as well as new materials for solar energy conversion; hydrogen fuel storage with a focus on glass-ceramic composite materials; optimization of biodiesel production processes with a focus on sodium methoxide production. Furthermore, he was involved in materials research regarding the synthesis and characterization of surrogate substituted fluorapatite for potential applications in long-term nuclear waste storage.
Hemmers has made approximately 200 presentations at national and international meetings, published approximately 90 research articles, written one book, and holds one patent. He is a member of the American Physical Society and a reviewer for the American Institute of Physics, the Institute of Physics, national and international funding agencies and others.
