飯島澄男名誉会員、平成２１年度文化勲章受章
日本結晶学会名誉会員の飯島澄男先生が平成２１年度文化勲章を受章されました。心からお慶び申し上ます。また、今後の一層のご活躍を祈念申し上げます。
Dr. Sumio Iijima (Senior Research Fellow at NEC Corporation, Professor of Meijo University, Research Director of the International Cooperative Research Project at the Japan Science and Technology Corporation (JST), and Director of the Research Center for Advanced Carbon Materials at the National Institute of Advanced Industrial Science and Technology (AIST)) has been selected to receive The Order of Culture (bunka kunsho, Japan's top cultural award). Japanese Government recognizes Dr. Iijima's contributions to the development of high resolution electron microscope and discovery of carbon nanotubes.
In 1991, by the advanced electron microscopy techniques, he discovered the needle crystal which was synthesized on a carbon electrode subjected to arc discharge. He then clarified that the crystals are made of carbon with a cylindrical nanostructure, and named Carbon nanotubes. Dr. Iijima opened a global research field of carbon nanotechnology from basic materials science to practical applications.
The Order of Culture is given to the people who contribute to art, literature or culture in Japan. In 2009, only 5 people were selected. The Order was presented at the ceremony held in the Imperial Palace on November 3, 2009. (2009/11/30)
(Contributed to IUCr Newsletter by T. Inoue)
