John W. Cahn

Biography

Abstract

John Cahn is known for his pioneering work on the thermodynamics and kinetics of phase transitions and diffusion. He has been a member of the National Institute of Standards and Technology staff since 1977. His other institutional affiliations include the General Electric Company and the Massachusetts Institute of Technology.

Important Dates

January 9, 1928Birth, Cologne (Germany).

1949Obtained BS in Chemistry, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor (Mich.).

1952 – 1954Instructor, Institute for the Study of Metals, University of Chicago.

1953Obtained PhD in Physical Chemistry, University of California, Berkeley, Berkeley (Calif.).

1954 – 1964Research Associate, Metallurgy and Ceramics Department Research Laboratory, General Electric Company, Schenectady (N.Y.).

1964 – 1978Professor of Materials Science, Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), Cambridge (Mass.).

1971 – 1972Sussman Professor, Technion (Tekhniyon, Makhon tekhnologi le-Yiśraʼel).

1973Member, National Academy of Sciences.

1974Fellow, American Academy of Arts and Sciences.

1977 – 1988Scientist, Center for Materials Science (1977-1984) and Senior Fellow, Materials Science and Engineering Laboratory (1984-1988), National Bureau of Standards, Gaithersburg (Md.).

1988 – 2016Senior Fellow, Materials Science and Engineering Laboratory (1988-2007) and Emeritus Fellow (2007-present), National Institute of Standards and Technology, Gaithersburg (Md.).

1998Awarded National Medal of Science.

1998Member, National Academy of Engineering.

March 14, 2016Death, Seattle (Wash.).

Occupation

Materials scientist.

Places

Birth

Cologne (Germany)

Undergraduate Education

Ann Arbor (Mich.)

Graduate Education

Berkeley (Calif.)

Employment

Schenectady (N.Y.)

Cambridge (Mass.)

Gaithersburg (Md.)

Death

Seattle (Wash.)

Subjects

Materials science.

Metallurgy.

Thermodynamics.

Relationships

People

Family

Cahn, Anne Hessing

Wife.

Colleagues

Balluffi, R. W.

Both employed at Massachusetts Institute of Technology.

Bean, Charles P., 1923-1996

Both employed at General Electric Company.

Bergquist, James Charles

Both employed at the National Bureau of Standards and National Institute of Standards and Technology.

Coolidge, William David, 1873-1975

Both employed at General Electric Company.

Duke, Charles B.

Both employed at General Electric Company.

Ehrlich, Gert

Both employed at General Electric Company.

Giaever, Ivar

Both employed at General Electric Company.

Girvin, Steven M.

Both employed at the National Bureau of Standards.

Hall, J. L. (John L.), 1934-

Both employed at the National Bureau of Standards and National Institute of Standards and Technology.

Hull, Albert Wallace, 1880-1966

Both employed at General Electric Company.

Hulm, John K.

Both employed at University of Chicago, Institute for the Study of Metals.

Julienne, Paul S.

Both employed at the National Bureau of Standards and National Institute of Standards and Technology.

Klebanoff, P. S.

Both employed at the National Bureau of Standards and National Institute of Standards and Technology.

Mahan, Gerald D.

Both employed at General Electric Company.

Price, Paul Buford

Both employed at General Electric Company.

Schmitt, Roland W.

Both employed at General Electric Company.

Stratton, Julius Adams, 1901-1994

Both employed at Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT).

Suits, C. Guy (Chauncey Guy), 1905-1991

Both employed at General Electric Company.

Watkins, George D.

Both employed at General Electric Company.

Webb, M. B. (Maurice Barnett), 1926-

Both employed at General Electric Company.

Wineland, David J.

Both employed at the National Bureau of Standards and National Institute of Standards and Technology.

Institutions

Major Positions

General Electric Company. Research Laboratory

Research Associate, Metallurgy and Ceramics Department.

Massachusetts Institute of Technology. Department of Materials Science and Engineering

Professor of Materials Science.

National Institute of Standards and Technology (U.S.)

Senior Fellow, Materials Science and Engineering Laboratory and Emeritus Fellow.

Tekhniyon, Makhon tekhnologi le-Yisra'el

Sussman Professor.

United States. National Bureau of Standards

Scientist, Center for Materials Science and Senior Fellow, Materials Science and Engineering Laboratory.

University of Chicago. Institute for the Study of Metals

Instructor.

Professional Activities & Affiliations

American Academy of Arts and Sciences

National Academy of Engineering

National Academy of Sciences (U.S.)

University of California, Berkeley. Department of Chemistry

Obtained PhD (Physical Chemistry) in 1953.

University of Michigan. Department of Chemistry

Obtained BS (Chemistry) in 1949.

Resources

Published Resources

Subject

John W. Cahn, who fled Nazi Germany and became a foremost materials scientist, dies at 88: Washington Post obituary.