Dan Shechtman

Date of Birth: January 24, 1941

Zodiac Sign: Aquarius

Biography

Dan Shechtman is an Israeli scientist renowned for his groundbreaking discovery of quasicrystals, a form of matter with a non-repeating pattern, which was previously thought to be impossible. Born in Tel Aviv, Israel, Shechtman pursued a degree in mechanical engineering at the Technion – Israel Institute of Technology, where he later earned his Ph.D. in Materials Engineering. His career includes significant research positions and professorships at the Technion, Iowa State University, and the Ames Laboratory. Shechtman’s discovery in 1982 challenged the then-accepted laws of crystallography, leading to considerable resistance from the scientific community. Despite initial skepticism, his work was eventually recognized as revolutionary, earning him the Nobel Prize in Chemistry in 2011. Shechtman’s contributions have reshaped our understanding of atomic structures and have opened new avenues in material science and engineering.

5 Interesting Facts about Dan Shechtman

1. Dan Shechtman discovered quasicrystals on April 8, 1982, while on sabbatical at the National Bureau of Standards in Washington, D.C.

2. His discovery was initially met with skepticism, and he faced significant criticism from the scientific community, including from Nobel laureate Linus Pauling.

3. Shechtman persisted in his research despite the skepticism and published his findings in 1984, which eventually gained acceptance.

4. In addition to his Nobel Prize, Shechtman has received numerous other awards, including the Wolf Prize in Physics and the Israel Prize in Physics.

5. He is also known for his advocacy of scientific education and entrepreneurship, frequently giving lectures and supporting innovation initiatives.

5 Most Interesting Quotes from Dan Shechtman

1. “I was thrown out of my research group. They said I brought shame on them with my nonsense.”

2. “In material science, you end up seeing the same things again and again.”

3. “If you are a discoverer, you have to be ready for resistance.”

4. “The most important thing is to believe in yourself and work hard.”

5. “Science is not about consensus. It’s about being willing to challenge the status quo.”

Highest Net Worth Achieved

Dan Shechtman’s highest net worth is estimated to be around $1 million, primarily from his academic career, awards, and contributions to scientific research.

Children

Dan Shechtman and his wife, Prof. Tzipora Shechtman, have three children. They have largely maintained a private life, and not much public information is available about their children.