Iijima (Sumio Iijima)

Sumio Iijima is a Japanese scientist renowned for discovering carbon nanotubes in 1991. These are tiny, hollow cylindrical structures made of carbon atoms, much smaller than a human hair. Carbon nanotubes are incredibly strong, lightweight, and conductive, making them valuable in areas like electronics, materials science, and medicine. Iijima’s discovery opened new avenues in nanotechnology, enabling the development of advanced materials with unique properties. His work has had a profound impact on science and technology, earning him international recognition as a pioneer in the field of nanomaterials.