H. Ted Davis

Howard Theodore "Ted" Davis (1937–2009) was an American chemical engineer and regents professor in the Department of Chemical Engineering and Materials Science (CEMS) at the University of Minnesota. He is known for his work in statistical thermodynamics, transport in porous media, and surface thermodynamics.

Davis was an author of more than 400 academic papers and five books, including the textbooks “Linear Algebra and Linear Operators in Engineering” (Academic Press, 2000, 1st Edition) and "Statistical Mechanics of Phases, Interfaces and Thin Films" (John Wiley & Sons, 1995, 1st Edition).

He served as the department head of CEMS for 15 years (1980-1995), followed by his leadership as Dean of the Institute of Technology (1995-2005), which is the University of Minnesota's college of physical science and engineering. In 2008, Davis became the director of the University of Minnesota's BioTechnology Institute.

Early life and education Davis grew up in the small town of Hendersonville, North Carolina. He was the child of an apple farm and textile mill worker. He received his B.S. in chemistry from Furman University in 1959 before completing his Ph.D. in chemistry at the University of Chicago in 1962 part of which was later published as a book chapter. He later completed a year of post-doctoral studies at the Free University of Brussels with Nobel Laureate Ilya Prigogine before joining the faculty at the University of Minnesota in 1963.

Tenure as dean

In 1995, Davis was named as dean of the Institute of Technology at the University of Minnesota, which was the university's college of engineering and physical sciences. During his leadership, he helped develop the Digital Technology Center. He also helped to create the University of Minnesota's Department of Biomedical Engineering. This was followed by the formation of degree programs in bio-based products engineering, computer engineering and biomedical engineering. In addition, he established a professional master's program in software and infrastructure systems engineering.

During his time as Dean of IT, the college underwent several major renovations, including the new Mechanical Engineering Building and the restoration of Walter Library. These additions expanded the capability of the college and provided locations for both the Science and Engineering Library as well as the Digital Technology Center. Davis stepped down after nine years in 2005 as the 3rd longest serving dean in the college's history.

In 2008, Davis accepted the role of Director of the BioTechnology Institute, the University of Minnesota's internal organization, focusing on advanced research, training, and interaction with industry in biological process technology, and he held this position until May 2009.

Awards, honors, and legacy In 1969 he was awarded a Guggenheim Fellowship.

In 1988, Davis was elected to the National Academy of Engineering (primary section Chemical, secondary section Materials). His NAE election citation noted:

In 1997, the leadership of the University of Minnesota promoted Davis to a full Professor. In 2008, the Minnesota Science and Technology Hall of Fame included him in its first class of inductees; this selection honors those Minnesotans that have had a lasting worldwide impact.

Key publications Davis has authored numerous journal articles in statistical mechanics, transport, fluid mechanics, and interfacial phenomena which includes but is not limited to:

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Davis was also the author of two books: