Dan Shechtman

Dan Shechtman is an Israeli scientist who won the Nobel Prize in Chemistry in 2011 for discovering quasicrystals—an unusual form of solid material that has a unique, non-repeating pattern, unlike traditional crystals. His discovery challenged long-held beliefs about how atoms can organize themselves in solid materials and opened new possibilities in materials science. Quasicrystals have unique properties, such as resistance to wear and low friction, making them useful in various industrial applications. Shechtman’s work significantly advanced our understanding of the atomic structure of materials and exemplifies innovative scientific thinking.