Michael Whelan (scientist) facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Michael Whelan
HonFRMS FRS FInstP
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| Born | 2 November 1931  |
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| Website | www |
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| Doctoral advisor | Peter Hirsch |
Michael John Whelan is a famous British scientist. He was born on November 2, 1931. He is known for his important work with electron microscopes. He helped us understand how tiny things like crystals are put together.
Early Life and Studies
Michael Whelan went to Gonville and Caius College, Cambridge University. There, he earned his PhD degree. His teacher and guide for his studies was Peter Hirsch.
After finishing his studies, Whelan continued to work at the University of Cambridge. He did research there until 1966. Then, he moved to the University of Oxford. At Oxford, he became a professor in the Department of Materials. He is now an Emeritus Professor, which means he is a retired professor who still keeps his title. He is also an Emeritus Fellow at Linacre College, Oxford.
Amazing Awards and Honors
Michael Whelan has received many special awards for his scientific work. These awards show how important his discoveries have been.
- In 1976, he became a Fellow of the Royal Society. This is a very high honor for scientists in the UK. He also became a Fellow of the Institute of Physics.
- In 1988, he and another scientist, Archibald Howie, won the Hughes Medal. This medal was given to them by the Royal Society. They won it for their work on how electrons behave when they pass through materials. This helped improve electron microscopy. It also helped scientists study tiny flaws, called lattice defects, inside crystals.
- He also received the Distinguished Scientist Award in Physical Sciences in 1998. This award came from the Microscopy Society of America.
- In 1965, he won the C.V. Boys Prize from the Institute of Physics.
- In 2001, he was made an honorary fellow of the Royal Microscopical Society.
- In 2011, he won the Gjønnes Medal in Electron Crystallography. This award recognizes his contributions to understanding crystals using electrons.
