The Order of Culture (Japan's top cultural award)
Dr. Sumio Iijima, an emeritus member of the Crystallographic Society of Japan,
has received the Order of Culture (Japan's top cultural award) at the ceremony held
at the Imperial Palace on November 3, 2009.
(2009/11/09)
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)
Dr. Sumio Iijima wearing his Bunka Kunsho
