Sumio Iijima, Japanese physicist and engineer

Dr. Sumio Iijima, a renowned Japanese physicist and inventor, born on May 2, 1939, in Saitama Prefecture, is widely celebrated for his groundbreaking work in the field of nanotechnology. He is most famously associated with the discovery of carbon nanotubes, a contribution that profoundly reshaped materials science. Although earlier observations of similar carbon nanostructures existed, it was Iijima's seminal 1991 paper that truly captured the world's attention. This publication generated an unprecedented surge of interest in these remarkable materials and subsequently fueled intense, sustained research in what was then the nascent field of nanotechnology, fundamentally influencing its development.

Early Life and Academic Foundations

Iijima's academic journey began in Tokyo, where he pursued his undergraduate studies. He graduated with a Bachelor of Engineering degree in 1963 from the University of Electro-Communications. His quest for deeper scientific understanding led him to Sendai, where he continued his postgraduate education at Tohoku University. There, he earned his Master's degree in 1965 and subsequently completed his Ph.D. in solid-state physics in 1968, laying a robust theoretical and practical foundation for his future pioneering research.

A Distinguished Career in Research and Discovery

Following his academic pursuits, Dr. Iijima embarked on a significant research career spanning continents. From 1970 to 1982, he dedicated his efforts to exploring crystalline materials and honing his expertise in high-resolution electron microscopy at Arizona State University in the United States. This period provided him with invaluable experience in visualizing materials at the atomic level. During this tenure, he also took the opportunity to visit the University of Cambridge in 1979, where he conducted specialized studies on various carbon materials, a precursor to his later monumental discovery.

Returning to Japan, Dr. Iijima joined the Research Development Corporation of Japan, where he focused on the study of ultra-fine particles from 1982 to 1987. This investigative work further sharpened his understanding of nanomaterials. In 1987, he transitioned to the NEC Corporation, a prominent Japanese technology and electronics company, where he has remained a significant contributor to this day. It was within NEC that Dr. Iijima made his pivotal discovery in 1991. Not only did he meticulously document carbon nanotubes through images, but he also provided crucial insights into their fundamental nature and structure by conceptually assembling two together to explain their properties, thereby earning him widespread credit for their discovery and characterization.

Current Affiliations and Global Recognition

Beyond his epoch-making discovery, Dr. Iijima continues to be an active and influential figure in academia and research. Since 1999, he has served as a University Professor at Meijo University. His expertise is also highly sought after by other prestigious institutions; he is an Honorary AIST Fellow of the National Institute of Advanced Industrial Science and Technology, as well as a Distinguished Invited University Professor at Nagoya University, signifying his enduring impact and leadership in the scientific community.

His extraordinary contributions have garnered him numerous accolades and international recognition. In 2002, Dr. Iijima was honored with the esteemed Benjamin Franklin Medal in Physics. The citation for this award specifically acknowledged his "discovery and elucidation of the atomic structure and helical character of multi-wall and single-wall carbon nanotubes," highlighting how these insights have had an "enormous impact on the rapidly growing condensed matter and materials science field of nanoscale science and electronics." Further testament to his global standing, he is a foreign associate of the National Academy of Sciences in the United States and a foreign member of the Norwegian Academy of Science and Letters. Domestically, he holds the distinguished title of a Member of the Japan Academy, solidifying his status as one of Japan's most celebrated scientists.

Frequently Asked Questions About Sumio Iijima

What is Dr. Sumio Iijima best known for?

Dr. Sumio Iijima is most famously known for his pivotal role in the discovery of carbon nanotubes and his seminal 1991 paper that significantly advanced research in nanotechnology.

When did Dr. Iijima discover carbon nanotubes?

He discovered carbon nanotubes in 1991 during his time at the NEC Corporation.

Why is his 1991 paper considered so important?

While carbon nanostructures had been observed previously, Iijima's 1991 paper provided a comprehensive description and characterization of carbon nanotubes, generating unprecedented scientific interest and catalyzing intense research globally in the field of nanotechnology.

Where did Dr. Iijima receive his education?

He earned his Bachelor of Engineering degree from the University of Electro-Communications, Tokyo, and his Master's and Ph.D. in solid-state physics from Tohoku University in Sendai.

What are carbon nanotubes, and why are they important?

Carbon nanotubes are microscopic, cylindrical structures made of carbon atoms, possessing extraordinary strength, electrical conductivity, and thermal properties. Their discovery opened vast new possibilities for materials science, electronics, medicine, and other technological applications at the nanoscale.

What major awards and recognitions has Dr. Iijima received?

Among his many honors, he was awarded the Benjamin Franklin Medal in Physics in 2002. He is also a foreign associate of the National Academy of Sciences, a foreign member of the Norwegian Academy of Science and Letters, and a Member of the Japan Academy.