Dan Shechtman

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Dan Shechtman in 1985

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Quasicrystal1

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Dan Shechtman (Nobel Chemistry 2011) in Stockholm, June 2016

Dan Shechtman (born January 24, 1941) is an Israeli chemist and material scientist who was awarded the Nobel Prize in Chemistry in 2011 for the discovery of quasicrystals. His groundbreaking work challenged the established understanding of crystallography and led to significant advancements in the field of materials science.

Early Life and Education

Dan Shechtman was born in Tel Aviv, Mandatory Palestine (now Israel). He pursued his undergraduate and graduate studies at the Technion – Israel Institute of Technology, where he earned his B.Sc. in mechanical engineering in 1966, his M.Sc. in 1968, and his Ph.D. in materials engineering in 1972.

Career

Shechtman began his academic career at the Technion – Israel Institute of Technology, where he held various positions, including that of a professor. He also held visiting positions at several prestigious institutions, including the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) in the United States.

Discovery of Quasicrystals

In 1982, while on a sabbatical at NIST, Shechtman discovered a new type of crystal structure that did not conform to the traditional rules of crystallography. These structures, which he termed quasicrystals, exhibited symmetries that were previously thought to be impossible in crystals. His findings were initially met with skepticism, but over time, they were validated and accepted by the scientific community.

Awards and Honors

Dan Shechtman has received numerous awards and honors for his contributions to science, including:

• The Nobel Prize in Chemistry in 2011
• The Wolf Prize in Physics in 1999
• The Israel Prize in 1998

Personal Life

Shechtman is married and has children. He continues to be active in research and education, inspiring future generations of scientists.

Related Pages

• Nobel Prize in Chemistry
• Quasicrystals
• Crystallography
• Materials science
• Technion – Israel Institute of Technology

External Links

Template:Nobel Prize in Chemistry Laureates 2011