Sumio Iijima is a renowned Japanese physicist and materials scientist, best known for his groundbreaking discovery of carbon nanotubes, which has had a revolutionary impact on nanotechnology and materials science.

Early Life and Education

• Born: May 2, 1939

• Birthplace: Saitama Prefecture, Japan

Sumio Iijima earned his Bachelor’s degree in engineering from Meiji University in Tokyo in 1963. He later pursued graduate studies in materials science and obtained his Ph.D. in Solid State Physics from Tohoku University in 1968.

Career and Major Contributions

1. Early Research Career

After completing his Ph.D., Iijima worked in various prestigious research institutions:

• In the early 1970s, he worked at Arizona State University in the U.S., where he became skilled in the use of transmission electron microscopy (TEM), a tool that would later be crucial in his discovery of nanotubes.

• He returned to Japan to work at NEC Corporation’s Fundamental Research Laboratory, one of Japan’s top private research institutions.

2. Discovery of Carbon Nanotubes (1991)

Sumio Iijima made history in 1991 when he published a paper in the journal Nature, reporting the discovery of multi-walled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs).

• These structures are cylindrical nanostructures made entirely of carbon atoms, arranged in a hexagonal pattern similar to graphene.

• His discovery came after studying carbon deposits formed on electrodes in an arc-discharge method, previously used to produce fullerenes (C60 or “buckyballs”).

• He later contributed to the discovery and characterization of single-walled carbon nanotubes (SWCNTs) as well.

This discovery was transformative, opening up an entirely new field in nanoscience and leading to intense global research in the properties and applications of carbon nanotubes.

Significance of Carbon Nanotubes

Carbon nanotubes (CNTs) are important because of their:

• Exceptional mechanical strength (100 times stronger than steel)

• Light weight

• High electrical and thermal conductivity

• Unique optical and chemical properties

Applications of CNTs include:

• Nanoelectronics (transistors, sensors)

• Aerospace materials

• Biomedical drug delivery

• Energy storage (batteries and supercapacitors)

Iijima’s discovery laid the foundation for modern nanotechnology, helping scientists manipulate matter at the atomic scale.

Awards and Honors

Sumio Iijima has received numerous prestigious awards and honors, including:

• Benjamin Franklin Medal in Physics (2002)

• Balzan Prize for Nanoscience (2007)

• Kavli Prize in Nanoscience (2008)

• Order of Culture from the Japanese government (2009)

• Foreign Member of the U.S. National Academy of Sciences

• Member of the Japan Academy

Current Work and Influence

In recent years, Sumio Iijima has continued his work in nanoscience:

• He is a professor at Meijo University in Japan.

• He also serves as a senior research fellow at NEC and remains active in academic and industrial collaborations.

His work continues to inspire a new generation of scientists in physics, chemistry, materials science, and engineering.

Legacy

Sumio Iijima is considered the “father of carbon nanotubes” and one of the pioneers of nanotechnology. His discovery not only advanced fundamental science but also paved the way for practical applications that are still being explored today. His legacy is one of curiosity, precision, and a visionary approach to exploring the microscopic world.

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