FSU history of scientist who discovered an element

https://floridastate.forums.rivals.com/threads/fsu-mourns-loss-of-nobel-laureate-sir-harold-kroto.124944/#post-2616593


singleshot

"FSU mourns loss of Nobel Laureate Sir Harold Kroto

The Florida State University community is mourning the loss of a scientific giant, Professor and Nobel Laureate Sir Harold Kroto.

Kroto died Saturday at the age of 76.

“Florida State University has lost a beloved member of its family with the passing of Sir Harry Kroto,” said President John Thrasher. “Sir Harry was a brilliant scholar and an even better man who was generous with his time and expertise in mentoring our students, collaborating with faculty and elevating the stature of this university. Our hearts are heavy, but we are forever richer because of his contributions to Florida State, the scientific community and the world.”

Kroto — a world-class chemist, teacher, mentor, friend and sometimes graphic designer —joined the Florida State University faculty in 2004, capping off a brilliant career that included the 1996 Nobel Prize in Chemistry for the discovery of the Buckminsterfullerene molecule.

The discovery of Buckminsterfullerene, otherwise known as buckyballs, opened up a new world of chemistry. Just last year, researchers from the University of Basel in Switzerland discovered that these molecules were part of a cloud of gas floating between stars. Kroto had made that prediction years ago, but scientists only recently were able to adequately create the conditions in a lab to confirm that.

It also led to the development of new materials such as buckypaper, a feather-light material that is being tested in electronics, energy, medicine, space and transportation. Though it is light, it is also remarkably strong. The aviation industry, for example, projects that it could replace metal shielding in the Boeing 787, currently made up of 60 miles of cable. "


"I assumed he (Sir Harold Kroto) was the only FSU faculty to have been associated with discovering an element, but just learned we had another 60 years ago. There's only so many elements out there, pretty impressive FSU has employed at least 2 associated with discovering any while being such a relatively young university. "