Israel's Daniel Shechtman wins Chemistry Nobel

Israeli scientist honored for discovery of atom

patterns called 'quasicrystals.' Royal Swedish
Academy of Sciences: Shechtman's discovery
extremely controversial, fundamentally changed
way chemists look at solid matter
Israeli scientist Daniel Shechtman has won the 2011 Nobel Prize
in chemistry, the Royal Swedish Academy of Sciences announced
on Wednesday.
The Academy honored Shechtman for the discovery of
"quasicrystals" patterns in atoms which were thought
impossible, adding that Shechtman's discovery in 1982 had
fundamentally changed the way chemists look at solid matter.

"This is a day of
celebration not just for the
Technion but for the entire
State of Israel. We are
very excited. We always
knew that Prof.
Shechtman's discoveries changed the face of science, and it was
clear to us that he would win the desired prize at some point. We
are happy that it happened this year."