For many years, Bothner-By held the distinction of having a high-resolution spectrometer with the highest field strength long before such magnets were commonly available. The award specifically recognized his conception and development of techniques for the measurement of residual dipolar couplings of weakly aligned molecules in solution. Residual couplings are an important data source for the study of biomolecules.
The award was announced at the 43rd Experimental Nuclear Magnetic Resonance Conference in Santa Fe in April.