Nicolás Cabrera facts for kids
Nicolás Cabrera (born 1913, died 1989) was a Spanish physicist. A physicist is a scientist who studies how the world works, focusing on things like energy, matter, and how they interact. Nicolás Cabrera did very important work on how crystals grow and how metals get rusty (a process called oxidisation).
He came from a family of scientists. His father, Blas Cabrera Felipe, was also a famous Spanish physicist. And his son, Blas Cabrera Navarro, became an American physicist.
Life and Work
Nicolás Cabrera faced challenges in his life. He spent many years away from his home country, Spain, during a time called the Francoist State. This was a period when a leader named Francisco Franco ruled Spain, and many people had to leave the country.
Working in America
In 1952, Nicolás Cabrera moved to the United States. He became a Professor in the Department of physics at the University of Virginia. He was very interested in how things are built (engineering) and the science of materials.
Returning to Spain
Later, in 1971, he returned to Spain. He helped start the physics department at the Autonomous University of Madrid (UAM) and became a professor there. Many people believe he gave a big push to the study of physics in Spain when he came back.
A famous Spanish politician named Javier Solana was once his assistant in Madrid. Solana had met Cabrera at the University of Virginia. Solana described him as a very smart person, but sometimes a bit disorganized!
His Legacy
To honor his important contributions, the Nicolás Cabrera Institute was founded in 1989 at the UAM. It is named after him, continuing his legacy in the world of physics.
