Andrew Lang (physicist) facts for kids

Andrew Richard Lang FRS CBE (born September 9, 1924 – died June 30, 2008) was a British scientist. He was an expert in crystallography, which is the study of how atoms are arranged in solid materials, especially crystals. He was famous for developing a special technique called X-ray topography, which helps scientists see tiny flaws inside almost perfect crystals.

Andrew Lang's Life Story

Andrew Lang was born in 1924. His father was an engineer, and his mother was from Germany.

When he was a child, Andrew often got sick with breathing problems. Even though he was accepted into a famous university, Trinity College, Cambridge, his health issues meant he had to wait. Instead, he started his studies at the University College of the South West in 1942. He studied physics and graduated with top honors just two years later.

In 1945, during World War II, he began working at Unilever Research Laboratories. There, he used X-rays to study pure soaps. This work was part of his "essential work" during the war. He also continued his studies part-time and earned another degree in 1947.

Later that year, he moved to the famous Cavendish Laboratory. In 1948, he started working on his PhD. His research focused on making better ways to use X-rays to study materials. He finished his PhD in 1952. Soon after, he traveled to the Philips Laboratories in New York to continue his research on X-ray techniques.

While in New York, Andrew Lang received job offers from different places, including Harvard University. He decided to join Harvard in 1953. There, he became a professor of physical metallurgy. It was at Harvard that he made his most important discovery: a method called X-ray topography. This technique allows scientists to see tiny flaws or "defects" inside almost perfect crystals. It was a huge step forward in the study of materials.

In 1960, Andrew Lang was invited to join the University of Bristol. He started as a lecturer and stayed there for the rest of his career. He became a professor of physics in 1979 and continued his research until he retired.

Andrew Richard Lang never married. He passed away in Bristol in 2008.

Awards and Recognitions

Andrew Lang received many awards for his important scientific work:

• 1944: Earned his first degree in physics with top honors.
• 1947: Earned his second degree.
• 1953: Received his PhD from the University of Cambridge.
• 1964: Won the Charles Vernon Boys Prize from the Institute of Physics.
• 1975: Was chosen as a Fellow of the Royal Society, which is a very high honor for scientists in the UK.
• 1994: Received an honorary science degree from the University of Exeter.
• 1996: Was elected as a Foreign Associate of the Royal Society of South Africa.
• 1997: Was given the Hughes Medal by the Royal Society.
• 2002: Became an honorary life member of the British Crystallographic Association.
• 2005: Received the Ernst Mach Honorary Medal from the Czech Academy of Sciences.