The Legacy of Chemistry: How 2011 Shaped Our Future
The International Year of Chemistry in 2011 celebrated the profound role chemistry plays in building a brighter, more sustainable tomorrow.
Introduction: A Global Celebration of Molecules
In 2011, the United Nations declared an International Year of Chemistry (IYC 2011), a year-long global event that cast a spotlight on chemistry's vital contributions to humankind. With the theme "Chemistry—our life, our future," the year aimed to raise public appreciation for chemistry, inspire young people to pursue scientific careers, and highlight the field's role in solving pressing global challenges 1 7 .
It was also a year to celebrate pivotal discoveries, including the Nobel Prize-winning work on quasicrystals, and to honor the legacy of scientific achievement, particularly that of women in science, on the hundredth anniversary of Marie Curie's Nobel Prize in Chemistry 7 .
More than a retrospective, the year was a launchpad, taking forward a message that chemistry holds the key to our sustainable future. This article explores how the legacy of 2011 continues to shape our world.
Nobel Prize 2011
Awarded to Dan Shechtman for his discovery of quasicrystals
Marie Curie Anniversary
100 years since her Nobel Prize in Chemistry
The Message of IYC 2011: More Than Just a Reaction
The International Year of Chemistry was established to address several core objectives, each designed to carry the message of chemistry's importance forward to a new generation.
Inspiring the next generation
A primary goal was to attract young minds to the field, ensuring a continued pipeline of talent to address future challenges 1 .
Global collaboration
The year was officially led by UNESCO and the International Union of Pure and Applied Chemistry (IUPAC), with events coordinated by chemical societies across the world 1 .
"Water: A Chemical Solution" Global Experiment
This project aimed to become the largest chemistry experiment ever undertaken, inviting schoolchildren worldwide to perform four simple water quality tests on local water sources. By testing salinity, acidity, and learning filtration and distillation methods, participants gained a hands-on appreciation for water treatment and the role of chemistry in managing this vital resource 8 .
A Discovery That Redefined the Possible: Quasicrystals
The Nobel Prize in Chemistry 2011 was awarded to Dan Shechtman for his discovery of quasicrystals, a finding that fundamentally altered how scientists understand the structure of matter and serves as a powerful example of chemistry's boundless potential for surprise and innovation.
The Impossible Crystal
On April 8, 1982, while studying a rapidly cooled mixture of aluminium and manganese using an electron microscope, Dan Shechtman observed a diffraction pattern that defied the established laws of nature. The pattern showed ten bright dots arranged in concentric circles—a symmetry that was considered impossible for crystals 2 .
At the time, scientific consensus held that for a material to be a crystal, its atoms must be arranged in a repeating, periodic pattern. This rules out the possibility of fivefold or tenfold symmetry, as these cannot fill space without gaps or overlaps. Shechtman's crystal, with its tenfold symmetry, was as improbable as creating a perfect soccer ball using only hexagons 2 . His notebook entry from that day famously included three question marks 2 .
Modern visualization of complex crystal structures
A Scientific Rebellion
Shechtman's discovery was met with complete opposition and even ridicule from the scientific community. The head of his laboratory suggested he reread a crystallography textbook and eventually asked him to leave the research group for causing "embarrassment" 2 . For years, Shechtman faced intense criticism, with many arguing he had simply observed a "twin crystal"—two crystals grown together.
Undeterred, Shechtman persisted. It took two years of diligent effort before his findings were finally published in the journal Physical Review Letters in 1984, co-authored with colleagues Ilan Blech, John Cahn, and Denis Gratias 2 . The publication "went off like a bomb among crystallographers," challenging the most fundamental truth of their science 2 .
"The head of his laboratory suggested he reread a crystallography textbook and eventually asked him to leave the research group for causing 'embarrassment'" 2 .
The Explanation: A New Atomic Mosaic
The key to understanding Shechtman's impossible crystal came from an unexpected field: mathematics. British mathematician Roger Penrose had previously devised aperiodic mosaics—patterns that never repeat themselves—using just two tile shapes 2 . When scientists applied this model to Shechtman's crystal, they realized the atoms were packed in a similar, non-repeating, yet ordered pattern.
These new materials were named "quasicrystals." A fascinating aspect of their structure is the repeated appearance of the golden ratio (tau, τ), a mathematical constant renowned in art and architecture. The ratio of different distances between atoms in a quasicrystal is always related to this special number 2 .
The Experimental Journey to Quasicrystals 2
| Experimental Step | Description | Outcome & Significance |
|---|---|---|
| Sample Preparation | A mix of aluminium and manganese was rapidly cooled from a molten state. | The sudden cooling created a solid with a strange, non-periodic atomic arrangement. |
| Observation & Data Collection | The sample was studied using an electron microscope, producing a diffraction pattern. | The pattern showed a clear tenfold symmetry, which was forbidden by classical crystallography. |
| Validation & Analysis | The crystal was rotated to view from different angles; other explanations (like twinning) were systematically ruled out. | Confirmed the crystal itself had fivefold symmetry, proving the initial finding was not an artifact. |
| Theoretical Interpretation | Mathematical models of aperiodic mosaics (Penrose tiling) were applied to the atomic structure. | Provided a theoretical framework for how atoms can be ordered without a repeating pattern. |
Timeline of Quasicrystal Discovery
April 8, 1982
Dan Shechtman observes the impossible diffraction pattern showing tenfold symmetry 2 .
1982-1984
Shechtman faces skepticism and opposition from the scientific community while working to validate his findings 2 .
1984
Publication in Physical Review Letters co-authored with Blech, Cahn, and Gratias 2 .
2011
Shechtman awarded the Nobel Prize in Chemistry for his discovery of quasicrystals.
Chemistry's Expanding Frontier: Other Key Advances of 2011
Beyond quasicrystals, 2011 was a year of remarkable progress across the chemical sciences, demonstrating the field's dynamic and evolving nature.
Pushing the boundaries of the periodic table, chemists embarked on what was described as "one of the world's most demanding chemical experiments": studying the properties of super-heavy elements 3 . These elements are so unstable that they often exist for only seconds before decaying, forcing scientists to conduct intricate experiments on a single atom at a time. This research not only explores the limits of matter but also helps refine the fundamental chemical models that predict how all elements behave 3 .
Super-Heavy Elements Research
Scientists study elements that exist for mere seconds, conducting experiments on single atoms to understand the fundamental limits of matter 3 .
Element Stability
The Essential Tools of Chemical Discovery
Modern chemical research relies on a sophisticated toolkit of reagents, instruments, and methods to make new discoveries possible.
| Reagent/Material | Primary Function | Example Application |
|---|---|---|
| Fenton's Reagent | A solution of hydrogen peroxide and an iron catalyst, used for oxidation. | Oxidizing and breaking down contaminants in wastewater. |
| Collins Reagent | A solid red reagent based on chromium(VI) oxide. | Sensitively oxidizing alcohols to aldehydes and ketones. |
| Radioactive Metal Ions | Short-lived ions produced in particle accelerators. | Serving as analogues to study the chemical behavior of super-heavy elements. |
| Alpha Radiation Detector | A system for measuring alpha rays from a fluid. | Detecting the decay of a single atom of a super-heavy element during experiments. |
Analytical Methods
When conducting experiments, chemists must ensure that the time required for each measurement is very short compared to the total reaction time and that the temperature is held perfectly constant to avoid skewing the results 4 .
Furthermore, the process of sampling—procuring a representative portion of a substance for analysis—is often the most challenging part of any chemical analysis, as it forms the foundation for all subsequent conclusions 9 .
Data Interpretation
The analysis itself generates data that must be interpreted with care. Understanding the meaning of symbols like "<" (less than) is crucial; it indicates that the amount of a chemical was below the laboratory's reporting limit 5 .
Measurements are expressed in units like milligrams per liter (mg/L) or parts per billion (ppb), and even minuscule concentrations at these scales can be of significant importance for health and the environment 5 .
Conclusion: The Future is Chemical
The International Year of Chemistry 2011 was far more than a one-off celebration. It was a powerful reminder that chemistry is not confined to laboratory glassware but is integral to every aspect of our lives. From the moment Dan Shechtman dared to question a fundamental scientific dogma, to the schoolchildren testing their local water quality, the message of 2011 was clear: curiosity and collaboration in chemistry are essential for progress.
The legacy of that year lives on in the ongoing research into quasicrystals and new materials, the quest to understand the building blocks of the universe, and the continuous development of solutions for clean water, sustainable energy, and improved health. By taking forward the message of IYC 2011, we continue to empower chemistry to shape a better, more informed, and sustainable future for all.
The Lasting Impact
"By taking forward the message of IYC 2011, we continue to empower chemistry to shape a better, more informed, and sustainable future for all."