Image for John Desmond Bernal

John Desmond Bernal

John Desmond Bernal was a distinguished scientist and researcher who made significant contributions to the understanding of the structure of materials at an atomic level, especially in crystal structures. He was also a prominent advocate for the social responsibility of scientists and concerned with scientific policy and ethics. Bernal played a key role in developing X-ray crystallography, which helps visualize the structure of complex molecules. His work influenced fields like physics, chemistry, and biology, and he was involved in science education and policy, promoting the idea that science should serve societal progress.