Hans Adam Schneider (born: 28th September 1929, Zărneşti, Brasov) – chemical engineer, researcher, university professor. He has made major theoretical and experimental contributions in the fields of chemical kinetics (reactions in the gas phase) and physical chemistry of polymers (thermogravimetric studies, compatibility and rheology of polymers).
He attended secondary school in Zărneşti (1936 -1940) and the Honterus German High School in Braşov (1940 – 1948). Graduate of the Faculty of Chemical Technology in Timisoara (1954), he took his doctoral degree in Chemistry in 1957, under the supervision of academician I.G.Murgulescu. Afterwards, he began his research activities, becoming head of the research staff of the Physical Chemistry Institute of the Romanian Academy. Between 1962 and 1963 he attended postdoctoral studies at the Physical Chemistry Institute of the URSS Science Academy, led by academician N. N. Semenov, Nobel Laureate in Chemistry. From 1965 to 1979 he was a professor at the Chemistry – Physics Department of Alexandru Ioan Cuza University of Iasi. He was Dean of the Faculty of Chemistry between 1972 and 1974. In the 1970 –1971 period he was visiting professor at the Macromolecular Chemistry Institute of the University of Freiburg, Germany, becoming full-time professor between 1985 and 1996. He was Head of the Chemical Kinetics Department of Petru Poni Macromolecular Chemistry Institute, Iasi (1965-1979) and doctor of the Department of Physical Chemistry of Polymers, Macromolecular Chemistry Institute of Freiburg (1984). He published 210 scientific papers and wrote fundamental books in the field of chemical kinetics and macromolecular physical chemistry. He is a member of numerous Romanian and foreign science societies, such as: American Chemical Society (ACS), American Physical Society (APS), International Confederation for Thermal Analysis (ICTA), Gesellschaft Deutscher Chemiker (GDCh), Gesellschaft fur Thermische Analyse (GEFTA), Romanian Association for Polymer Science. He was granted the Academy Award and the title of Profesor Honoris Causa of Alexandru Ioan Cuza University of Iasi and of Gheorghe Asachi Technical University of Iasi.
Professor Hans Adam Schneider substantially contributed to the modernization and development of the Physical Chemistry Department of Alexandru Ioan Cuza University of Iasi, initiating modern, outstanding research that has led to the building of a strong team. Professor by vocation and leading researcher of international value, Professor Hans Adam Schneider has made an important contribution to the training of numerous successful graduates and doctoral students, increasing the prestige of the Romanian school of chemistry.
