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Richard SmalleyChemist, Nobel laureate in 1996
Date of Birth: 06.06.1943
Country:  USA |
Content:
- Richard Smalley: Nobel Laureate and Nanoscience Pioneer
- Nobel Prize-Winning Discovery
- Advocacy for Nanotechnology
- Later Career and Legacy
- Recognition and Accolades
- Passing
Richard Smalley: Nobel Laureate and Nanoscience Pioneer
Early Life and EducationRichard Smalley was born on June 6, 1944. He earned his bachelor's degree in chemistry from Hope College in 1965 and his Ph.D. in chemistry from the University of California, Berkeley in 1973.
Nobel Prize-Winning Discovery
In 1985, Smalley and his team at Rice University made the groundbreaking discovery of buckminsterfullerene (buckyball), a 60-atom carbon cluster with the shape of a soccer ball. This discovery earned him the 1996 Nobel Prize in Chemistry, shared with Robert Curl and Harold Kroto.
Advocacy for Nanotechnology
Following his Nobel Prize win, Smalley became an ardent advocate for the development of nanotechnology. He believed that nanotechnology had the potential to solve global challenges, particularly in the area of energy sustainability.
Later Career and Legacy
Smalley continued his research and advocacy work at Rice University until his death. He played a vital role in establishing the Center for Nanoscale Science and Technology at Rice, which became a leading research hub for nanotechnology.
Recognition and Accolades
In addition to the Nobel Prize, Smalley received numerous awards and honors, including the National Medal of Science in 2005. He was a member of the National Academy of Sciences and the Royal Society of Chemistry.
Passing
Richard Smalley passed away from cancer on October 28, 2005, at the age of 62. He left behind a legacy as a pioneering chemist, a Nobel laureate, and a visionary advocate for nanotechnology. His work continues to inspire scientists and researchers around the world.
