Ordal Demokan facts for kids
Ordal Demokan (born January 13, 1946 – died October 29, 2004) was an important Turkish physicist. He was known for his work in plasma physics, which is a special area of physics that studies very hot, charged gases. He helped start plasma physics research in Turkey.
Contents
Life and Work
Early Life and Education
Ordal Demokan was born in Istanbul, Turkey. He finished high school at TED Ankara Koleji in 1962. He then went to Middle East Technical University (METU) in Ankara. There, he studied Electrical Engineering. He earned his first degree in 1966 and his master's degree in 1967. During these years, he received a scholarship from TUBITAK, a science organization in Turkey.
He continued his studies in the United States. He earned his PhD in physics from the University of Iowa in 1970. He received scholarships, including a Fulbright scholarship, to help him study there.
Starting Plasma Research
In September 1970, Dr. Demokan began working as a professor at Middle East Technical University. He worked in the Department of Physics. In 1972, he started the first plasma physics laboratory at METU. This was a big step for plasma research in Turkey. He became an Associate Professor in 1976.
From 1978 to 1979, he led the Plasma and Laser Department at TAEK. TAEK is the Turkish Atomic Energy Authority.
International Research and Return to Turkey
Between 1979 and 1981, Dr. Demokan was a guest researcher in Germany. He worked at the Jülich Research Centre's Institute of Plasma Physics. There, he helped with the TEXTOR Tokamak Experiment. A tokamak is a special machine used to study plasma.
After his time in Germany, he returned to Turkey in 1982. He joined the newly founded Gazi University. He worked in the Faculty of Technical Education. In 1983, he became the head of the Electrical and Electronics Engineering Department there.
Back at METU
In 1984, Dr. Demokan returned to METU. He was the assistant head of the Department of Physics from 1984 to 1985. He became a full Professor in 1988.
Passing Away
Ordal Demokan passed away on October 29, 2004. He was in a car accident in Ankara, Turkey. He was buried at Cebeci Asri Cemetery in Ankara.
