Andre Geim facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Sir Andre Geim
FRS HonFInstP
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Geim in 2018
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| Born |
21 October 1958 |
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| Alma mater | Moscow Institute of Physics and Technology |
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| Spouse(s) | Irina Grigorieva |
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| Scientific career | |
| Fields | Condensed matter physics |
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| Thesis | Investigation of mechanisms of transport relaxation in metals by a helicon resonance method (1987) |
| Doctoral advisor | Victor Petrashov |
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Sir Andre Konstantin Geim is a famous physicist who was born in Russia on October 21, 1958. He is known for his amazing discoveries in physics. He works in England at the University of Manchester.
In 2010, Andre Geim won the Nobel Prize in Physics with his research partner, Konstantin Novoselov. They won for their work on a special material called graphene. Before that, in 2000, he also won an Ig Nobel Prize for making a frog float using magnets! He is the only person to have won both a Nobel Prize and an Ig Nobel Prize. This unique achievement is even in the Guinness World Records.
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Andre Geim's Early Life and Education
Andre Geim was born in Sochi, Russia. His parents, Konstantin Alekseyevich Geim and Nina Nikolayevna Bayer, were both engineers. In 1965, his family moved to Nalchik, where he went to high school.
After high school, he wanted to study physics. He applied to the Moscow Institute of Physics and Technology (MIPT) and was accepted. He earned his first degree, similar to a Master of Science (MSc), from MIPT in 1982. Later, in 1987, he received his PhD in metal physics from the Institute of Solid State Physics in Russia.
Andre Geim's Career in Science
After finishing his PhD, Andre Geim worked as a scientist in Russia. From 1990, he also worked as a researcher at universities in Nottingham, Bath, and Copenhagen. He found it easier to do his research outside of the Soviet Union.
In 1994, he got a permanent job as a professor at Radboud University Nijmegen in the Netherlands. There, he studied how tiny materials behave. He also became a Dutch citizen. One of his students there was Konstantin Novoselov, who later became his main research partner.
In 2001, he became a physics professor at the University of Manchester in England. His wife, Irina Grigorieva, who is also a scientist, moved to Manchester with him. Konstantin Novoselov joined them in Manchester in the same year. Andre Geim has also been an honorary professor at several other universities around the world.
Andre Geim's Amazing Discoveries
Andre Geim has made many important discoveries. One of his biggest achievements was finding a simple way to get single layers of graphite, which is called graphene. He and his team published their discovery in 2004.
What is Graphene?
Graphene is a material made of carbon atoms arranged in a pattern like a honeycomb. It is only one atom thick, making it the thinnest material in the world. It is also incredibly strong and hard. Scientists believe graphene could be used for many things, like making flexible touchscreens for phones and tablets.
Gecko Tape and Floating Frogs
Andre Geim also created a special sticky material called gecko tape. It works like the sticky feet of a gecko! Scientists hope this invention could one day help people climb walls, just like Spider-Man.
Another famous experiment by Geim involved making a frog float in the air. This happened in 1997 when he was studying how magnetism affects water. He and another scientist, Michael Berry, won the 2000 Ig Nobel Prize for this fun experiment. They were proud to accept the award, showing they have a good sense of humor about their work.
Geim enjoys exploring many different areas of science. He believes it's exciting to try new things, even if success isn't guaranteed. He even named his favorite hamster, H.A.M.S. ter Tisha, as a co-author on one of his research papers in 2001!
Awards and Honors for Andre Geim
Andre Geim has received many awards for his scientific work.
Ig Nobel Prize in Physics
In 2000, Andre Geim shared the Ig Nobel Prize in Physics with Sir Michael Berry. They won for their experiment that used magnets to make a small frog float. This experiment showed how magnetic forces can affect even living things. This work has even inspired research into simulating lunar gravity in China.
Nobel Prize in Physics
On October 5, 2010, Andre Geim and Konstantin Novoselov were awarded the Nobel Prize in Physics. They received it for their amazing work on graphene, a two-dimensional material. When he heard the news, Geim said he didn't expect it that year. He hopes that graphene and other similar materials will change our daily lives, much like plastics did in the past.
Winning both the Nobel Prize and the Ig Nobel Prize made him the first person to achieve this. He said he values both prizes equally. He believes the Ig Nobel Prize shows he can laugh at himself, which is important. In 2010, he was officially recognized in the Guinness World Records for this unique achievement.
Andre Geim's Personal Life
Andre Geim has a diverse family background. He considers himself European because he has lived and worked in several European countries. He believes that in the world of science, it's not necessary to define identity too strictly.
He has also shared his thoughts on various topics. In 2014, he talked about his personal life and favorite music on a popular BBC radio show called Desert Island Discs.
See also
In Spanish: Andre Geim para niños
