Daniel Shechtman, often referred to as Daniel Schneemann in German-speaking regions, is an Israeli material scientist who fundamentally altered our understanding of the structure of solids. He was awarded the 2011 Nobel Prize in Chemistry for his discovery of quasicrystals. This groundbreaking finding challenged the long-held belief that all crystalline materials are arranged in a periodic, repeating pattern.
Born in Tel Aviv in 1941, Shechtman studied mechanical engineering at the Technion – Israel Institute of Technology, earning his Bachelor’s degree in 1966, followed by his Master’s and Doctorate degrees in 1968 and 1972, respectively. He spent several years at the Aerospace Research Laboratories at Wright-Patterson Air Force Base in Ohio before returning to Israel. He later spent time at the National Bureau of Standards (now the National Institute of Standards and Technology) in the United States.
The pivotal moment in Shechtman’s career occurred in 1982 while on sabbatical at the National Bureau of Standards. While studying an aluminum-manganese alloy under an electron microscope, he observed a diffraction pattern that exhibited icosahedral symmetry – a symmetry previously thought impossible for crystals. The diffraction pattern showed sharp, distinct spots, indicating a well-ordered structure, but the symmetry was incompatible with the periodic arrangements characteristic of conventional crystals. This meant the atoms were arranged in a non-repeating, yet ordered, manner.
Shechtman’s findings were initially met with skepticism and resistance from the scientific community. The prevailing dogma at the time firmly held that crystals could only possess translational symmetry, meaning they had to repeat their structure periodically in three dimensions. His observations contradicted established crystallographic principles. Prominent scientists, including Nobel laureate Linus Pauling, were highly critical of his work.
Despite the initial opposition, Shechtman persevered. He meticulously documented his findings and presented his evidence to the scientific community. Over time, other researchers replicated his results and confirmed the existence of quasicrystals. The discovery of quasicrystals opened up a new field of study in materials science, challenging fundamental assumptions about the nature of solid matter. The acceptance of quasicrystals revolutionized crystallography and led to the development of new materials with unique properties. These materials have found applications in areas such as surgical instruments, LED lighting, and non-stick cookware.
Beyond his Nobel Prize, Shechtman has received numerous other awards and honors for his scientific contributions. He is a professor at the Technion and an associate of the US Department of Energy’s Ames Laboratory. His story is a testament to the importance of challenging conventional wisdom and pursuing scientific curiosity, even in the face of adversity. He continues to advocate for scientific and technological education, emphasizing the importance of critical thinking and innovation.