a quieter path than Smalley, who became an outspoken advocate of nanotechnology, and Kroto, who used his fame to further his interest in science education, saying, "After winning a Nobel, you can either become a scientific pontificator, or you can have some idea for a new science project and you can use your newfound notoriety to get the resources to do it. Or you can say, 'Well, I enjoy what I was doing, and I want to keep doing that.'" True to that humility, when asked by the President of Rice what he would like, following the Nobel announcement, he asked that a bike rack be installed closer to his office and laboratory. Later research Curl's later research interests involved physical chemistry, developing DNA genotyping and sequencing instrumentation, and creating photoacoustic sensors for trace gases using quantum cascade lasers. He is known in the residential college life at Rice University for being the first master of Lovett College. Curl retired in 2008 at the age of 74, becoming a University Professor Emeritus, Pitzer-Schlumberger Professor of Natural Sciences Emeritus, and Professor of Chemistry Emeritus at Rice University. Personal life Curl married Jonel Whipple in 1955, with whom he had two children. He cycled to his office and lab and every week played bridge with the Rice Bridge Brigade. Curl died in Houston on July 3, 2022, at the age of 88. Awards and honors Clayton Prize, Institute of Mechanical Engineers, 1957 Alexander von Humboldt Senior US Scientist Award, University of Bonn, Germany, 1984 Fellow of the National Academy of Sciences, 1997 Golden Plate Award of the American Academy of Achievement, 1997 Fellow of the American Academy of Arts and Sciences, 1998 International Prize for New Materials, American Physical Society, 1992 Nobel Prize in Chemistry, Royal Swedish Academy of Sciences, 1996 Johannes Marcus Marci Award in Spectroscopy, 1998 Centenary Medal, Royal Society of Chemistry, 1999 Honorary Fellow, The Royal Society of New Zealand, 2001 University of Bochum Research Prize, 2004 National Historic Chemical Landmark, American Chemical Society, 2010 Citation for Chemical Breakthrough Award, Division of History of Chemistry, American Chemical Society, 2015 Fellow of the Optical Society of America Selected publications Journal articles: Technical reports: Curl, R. F. and G. P. Glass. "Infrared Absorption Spectroscopy and Chemical Kinetics of Free Radicals. Final Performance Report, August 1, 1985 – July 31, 1994," National Accelerator Laboratory, Rice University, United States Department of Energy, (June