What is Gerhard Ertl?
[[Image:Prof Ertl-Portrait.jpg|thumb|Professor Gerhard Ertl, November 2007 (aged 71)]] {{Nobelprize|Chemistry}}'''Gerhard Ertl''' (born 10 October 1936) is a [[Germany|German]] [[physicist]] in the Department of Physical [[Chemistry]] of the [[Fritz Haber Institute of the MPG]] . He was born on 10 October 1936 in [[Stuttgart]], [[Germany]]. Professor Ertl won the [[Nobel prize]] for Chemistry in 2007. Ertl’s research laid the foundation of modern [[surface chemistry]], which has helped explain how [[fuel cell]]s produce energy without [[pollution]], how catalytic converters clean up [[car exhaust]]s and even why iron rusts, the Royal Swedish Academy of Sciences said. His work has paved the way for development of cleaner energy sources and will guide the development of fuel cells, said Astrid Graslund, secretary of the Nobel Committee for Chemistry. The Nobel academy said Ertl provided a detailed description of how [[chemical reaction]]s take place on [[surface]]s. His findings applied in both academic studies and industrial development, the academy said. “Surface chemistry can even explain the destruction of the [[ozone layer]], as vital steps in the reaction actually take place on the surfaces of small crystals of ice in the stratosphere,” the award citation reads.<ref>[http://www.telegram.com/article/20071011/NEWS/710110562/1052 German receives chemistry Nobel]. Associated Press. (18-10-2007)</ref><ref>Royal Swedish Academy of Sciences (10-10-2007). [http://nobelprize.org/nobel_prizes/chemistry/laureates/2007/press.html The Nobel Prize in Chemistry 2007]. Press release.</ref> ==Personal life== Ertl and his wife Barbara have two children and several grandchildren. His hobbies include playing the piano and also playing with his cats. ==Publications== Professor Ertl is an editor of the [http://eu.wiley.com/WileyCDA/WileyTitle/productCd-3527312412.html Handbook of Heterogeneous Catalysis] ==Education== Professor Ertl studied [[physics]] at the [[Technology|Technical]] [[University]] of [[Stuttgart]] from 1