Norman N. Li
Encyclopedia
Norman N. Li born December 28, 1932 in Shanghai
, China
, is a Chinese American
engineer
and scientist
famous for his inventions and development of liquid membrane technologies.
in 1957 and PhD from the Stevens Institute of Technology
(NJIT) in 1963.
Li worked for Parke-Davis
, Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory
. In 1960, Li was a Lecturer at NJIT. In 1963, Li was a Senior Scientist of ExxonMobil
. Li was the Director of the separation technology research institute of UOP
, and the director of AlliedSignal
science & technology dicvision. Li was the President of the NL Chemical Technology, Inc. based in Illinois
.
In May 2008, Li was awarded an honorary doctorate
by his alma mater
New Jersey Institute of Technology
(NJIT). The Dr. Norman N. Li Distinguished Lecture in Chemical Engineering at the Wayne State University
College of Engineering is named after him.
Li was elected to the United States National Academy of Engineering in 1990. Li is also an Academician of the Academia Sinica
. Li was elected Foreign Member of the Chinese Academy of Sciences
in 1998.
Shanghai
Shanghai is the largest city by population in China and the largest city proper in the world. It is one of the four province-level municipalities in the People's Republic of China, with a total population of over 23 million as of 2010...
, China
China
Chinese civilization may refer to:* China for more general discussion of the country.* Chinese culture* Greater China, the transnational community of ethnic Chinese.* History of China* Sinosphere, the area historically affected by Chinese culture...
, is a Chinese American
Chinese American
Chinese Americans represent Americans of Chinese descent. Chinese Americans constitute one group of overseas Chinese and also a subgroup of East Asian Americans, which is further a subgroup of Asian Americans...
engineer
Engineer
An engineer is a professional practitioner of engineering, concerned with applying scientific knowledge, mathematics and ingenuity to develop solutions for technical problems. Engineers design materials, structures, machines and systems while considering the limitations imposed by practicality,...
and scientist
Scientist
A scientist in a broad sense is one engaging in a systematic activity to acquire knowledge. In a more restricted sense, a scientist is an individual who uses the scientific method. The person may be an expert in one or more areas of science. This article focuses on the more restricted use of the word...
famous for his inventions and development of liquid membrane technologies.
Biography
Li graduated from the National Taiwan University in 1954. Li went to continue his study in the United States, received M.Eng in Chemical Engineering from the Wayne State UniversityWayne State University
Wayne State University is a public research university located in Detroit, Michigan, United States, in the city's Midtown Cultural Center Historic District. Founded in 1868, WSU consists of 13 schools and colleges offering more than 400 major subject areas to over 32,000 graduate and...
in 1957 and PhD from the Stevens Institute of Technology
Stevens Institute of Technology
Stevens Institute of Technology is a technological university located on a campus in Hoboken, New Jersey, USA – founded in 1870 with an 1868 bequest from Edwin A. Stevens. It is known for its engineering, science, and technological management curricula.The institute has produced leading...
(NJIT) in 1963.
Li worked for Parke-Davis
Parke-Davis
Parke-Davis is a subsidiary of the pharmaceutical company Pfizer. Although no longer an independent corporation, it was once America's oldest and largest drug maker, and played an important role in medical history.- History :...
, Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory
Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory
The Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory , is a U.S. Department of Energy national laboratory conducting unclassified scientific research. It is located on the grounds of the University of California, Berkeley, in the Berkeley Hills above the central campus...
. In 1960, Li was a Lecturer at NJIT. In 1963, Li was a Senior Scientist of ExxonMobil
ExxonMobil
Exxon Mobil Corporation or ExxonMobil, is an American multinational oil and gas corporation. It is a direct descendant of John D. Rockefeller's Standard Oil company, and was formed on November 30, 1999, by the merger of Exxon and Mobil. Its headquarters are in Irving, Texas...
. Li was the Director of the separation technology research institute of UOP
UOP LLC
UOP LLC, formerly known as Universal Oil Products, is a multi-national company developing and delivering technology to the petroleum refining, gas processing, petrochemical production, and major manufacturing industries....
, and the director of AlliedSignal
AlliedSignal
AlliedSignal was an aerospace, automotive and engineering company that acquired and merged with Honeywell for $15 billion in 1999, after which the new group adopted the Honeywell name.AlliedSignal was created through a 1985 merger of Allied Corp...
science & technology dicvision. Li was the President of the NL Chemical Technology, Inc. based in Illinois
Illinois
Illinois is the fifth-most populous state of the United States of America, and is often noted for being a microcosm of the entire country. With Chicago in the northeast, small industrial cities and great agricultural productivity in central and northern Illinois, and natural resources like coal,...
.
Awards and honors
Li has been given numerous awards and prizes or his innovation and leadership in membrane and separation technologies, including,- 1988, the Alpha Chi SigmaAlpha Chi SigmaAlpha Chi Sigma is a professional fraternity specializing in the field of chemistry. It has both collegiate and professional chapters throughout the United States consisting of both men and women and numbering more than 63,400 members...
Award for Chemical Engineering Research, - 1988, the ACS Award of Separation Science and Technology,
- the Clarence G. Gerhold Award from the American Institute of Chemical Engineers (AIChE),
- 1995, the Ernest W. Thiel Award,
- 2000, the AIC Chemical Engineering Practice Award,
- 2000, the Perkin MedalPerkin MedalThe Perkin Medal is an award given annually by the American section of the Society of Chemical Industry to a scientist residing in America for an "innovation in applied chemistry resulting in outstanding commercial development." It is considered the highest honor given in the US industrial chemical...
from the Society of Chemical IndustrySociety of Chemical IndustryThe Society of Chemical Industry is a learned society set up in 1881 "to further the application of chemistry and related sciences for the public benefit". Its purpose is "Promoting the commercial application of science for the benefit of society". Its first president was Henry Enfield Roscoe and...
, - 2001, the Lifetime Achievement Award from the World Congress of Chemical Engineering,
- 2001, the Fujimura Award for Lifetime Achievement in International Technology Cooperation and Development
- 2006, the Founders Award from the American Institute of Chemical Engineers (AIChE).
In May 2008, Li was awarded an honorary doctorate
Honorary degree
An honorary degree or a degree honoris causa is an academic degree for which a university has waived the usual requirements, such as matriculation, residence, study, and the passing of examinations...
by his alma mater
Alma mater
Alma mater , pronounced ), was used in ancient Rome as a title for various mother goddesses, especially Ceres or Cybele, and in Christianity for the Virgin Mary.-General term:...
New Jersey Institute of Technology
New Jersey Institute of Technology
New Jersey Institute of Technology is a public research university in Newark, New Jersey. It is often also referred to as Newark College of Engineering ....
(NJIT). The Dr. Norman N. Li Distinguished Lecture in Chemical Engineering at the Wayne State University
Wayne State University
Wayne State University is a public research university located in Detroit, Michigan, United States, in the city's Midtown Cultural Center Historic District. Founded in 1868, WSU consists of 13 schools and colleges offering more than 400 major subject areas to over 32,000 graduate and...
College of Engineering is named after him.
Li was elected to the United States National Academy of Engineering in 1990. Li is also an Academician of the Academia Sinica
Academia Sinica
The Academia Sinica , headquartered in the Nangang District of Taipei, is the national academy of Taiwan. It supports research activities in a wide variety of disciplines, ranging from mathematical and physical sciences, to life sciences, and to humanities and social sciences.Academia Sinica has...
. Li was elected Foreign Member of the Chinese Academy of Sciences
Chinese Academy of Sciences
The Chinese Academy of Sciences , formerly known as Academia Sinica, is the national academy for the natural sciences of the People's Republic of China. It is an institution of the State Council of China. It is headquartered in Beijing, with institutes all over the People's Republic of China...
in 1998.