Prof. Ragnvald Høier (°1938 – † 23.10.2009)
Ragnvald Høier was born 30. November 1938, in Skien in Norway. He entered the University of Oslo (UiO) in 1957 and received his MSc degree (cand. real) in 1965; the thesis work was on X-ray diffraction, supervised by Jon Gjønnes. In 1966, after military service, Ragnvald became a research fellow (vit. ass.) in the solid state group at the Physics department, UiO. Working again with professor Gjønnes, he soon assumed a key role in establishing the electron microscopy laboratory in the Physics Department. Ragnvald was an enthusiastic and thorough experimentalist, at the same time acquiring a profound understanding of the theoretical background in electron diffraction. His PhD thesis from 1973 entitled “Investigation of many-beam dynamical diffraction effects in Kikuchi line patterns” reflects his interests and a keen grasp of the field. It can be read even today with great interest by electron diffraction specialists. His treatment of dynamical effects governed by a few main beams is basic to the current field of convergent beam electron diffraction (CBED); the treatment of the interplay between multiple diffuse scattering and dynamical diffraction effects stands out as an ingenious effort in an intricate field. During his studies Ragnvald was socially active towards fellow students, took active part in sports activities (both handball and football) and engaged himself in student political issues. He was also an early participant in international microscopy meetings. Ragnvald joined the Norwegian Technical University (NTH) in Trondheim (it was renamed as the Norwegian University of Science and Technology (NTNU) in 1996) as a lecturer in 1972, and worked there, as a professor from 1983, until his retirement because of illness in 2003. In Trondheim, Ragnvald took interest on X-ray diffraction and many-beam diffraction theory. During the eighties he gradually moved back to his “roots” and electron diffraction and microscopy. In 1987/1988 Ragnvald together with two colleagues in the Physics department at NTNU established a new SINTEF division, SINTEF Applied Physics. SINTEF, the Foundation for Industrial and Technical Research at NTH, is one of the largest independent research organisations in Europe, which was originally established to perform industrial contract work at the former NTH. The objective in creating a new SINTEF division was to create a bridge between fundamental physics and applied science by taking on research projects of fundamental character, but with relevance and use for Norwegian industry, especially in the light metals industry (in particular Hydro Al), which has been an important sponsor for the TEM activity at NTNU/SINTEF through several decades. By this, he founded a large, well working and robust research group in electron microscopy and applied physics, which would otherwise not be possible at NTNU. In the years 1987/1988 Ragnvald also made another important move in his scientific career, by spending a one-year sabbatical visit to Professor John Spence and the National Science Foundation’s Center for High Resolution Electron Microscopy at the Arizona State University (ASU). At ASU, he worked with Jian Min Zuo on three beam diffraction effects in CBED and their use for structure factor phase measurement. His enthusiasm and insight led to the development of CBED as the most accurate technique for measuring the structure factor phase in acentric crystals. A common theme through Ragnvald’s scientific career has been diffraction theory, electron crystallography and multiple beam effects. In this way he followed up on a long and strong tradition in Norway, which has its base with Professor Jon Gjønnes and the electron microscopy group at UiO. The TEM group at NTNU/SINTEF expanded extensively during the nineties under Ragnvald’s leadership. Broad collaborations were established with groups outside the Physics department, including metallurgy, inorganic chemistry and physical metallurgy, and with Norwegian industry. He engaged himself in a variety of materials problems where transmission electron microscopy was useful and of great benefit, and a considerable number of PhD students and post doctoral researchers got their education and training with Ragnvald during this period. At the same time, Ragnvald took the initiative to introduce atomistic modelling to the TEM group at NTNU. This has proven to be a very valuable asset and represent today an important supplement to the experimental electron crystallography activity in the group. The legacy of Ragnvald’s effort is a robust research group in transmission electron microscopy at NTNU with a strong collaboration with SINTEF. Today the group has activities in several directions, including precipitation in Al alloys, quantitative STEM, nanorods, EELS and electronic structure and Si solar cell materials. During his academic career Ragnvald was also known for his public service. He took active part in administrative duties. At NTNU he served several terms as the Department Head, and he also served on a large number of boards and committees at the University and with the Research Council of Norway. Among students and former PhD candidates Ragnvald will be remembered as an excellent lecturer and supervisor. He was genuinely interested in teaching; he put a lot of energy and time into preparations of his lectures and made teaching as good as possible. He really cared for his students and colleagues, both professionally and personally, and he was always willing and enthusiastic about helping and explaining difficult problems. He was a kind and pleasant person and a true team player. To remember Ragnvald and value his contributions to the field of electron microscopy, we cite and conclude with kind messages that we received from many friends and colleagues in the international microscopy community: From Chalmers, Sweden, Eva Olsson wrote: ‘We here at Chalmers remember Ragnvald’s good spirit and enthusiasm in sharing his knowledge in electron microscopy and in electron diffraction in particular. It was always a joy to meet him and I have many bright memories from our discussions. He is missed both as a good friend and also as a colleague and a well renowned and leading scientist.’ Sven Hovmöller and his colleagues in Stockholm sent their kind regards. Christian Colliex, of Paris, France, wrote ‘This is truly sad news to read about the decease of Ragnvald. He was a great figure in
Prof. Dr. Em. Tom Mulvey (°1921 – † 16.07.2009)
The world of electron optics and electron microscopy has lost a respected and well-loved pioneer. Tom Mulvey became involved in electron microscopy in the first post-war years though as a schoolboy he happened to encounter the name of another great pioneer, Manfred von Ardenne. Tom was an early “wireless fan” and came across the English translation of one of von Ardenne’s books, Television Reception, in about 1936. In 1949, he took his MSc at Manchester University with a thesis on “The symmetric lens as an element of the electrostatic microscope”, after which he joined the research establishment of the Metropolitan-Vickers Company at Aldermaston Court. Here he encountered Dennis Gabor and designed a column specifically for electron holography. He obtained the very first hologram (zinc oxide crystals) but the experiments were discontinued in the absence of coherent sources. In the following years, he contributed to a host of projects: high-voltage stability, magnetic circuit design, alignment, deflector design, spherical-aberration correction, distortion-free imaging conditions and ion sources. Here too he met his future wife Rita, whom he married in 1955; at the end of her life, she needed constant care and Tom unhesitatingly abandoned many of his regular activities to look after her. In 1965, Tom Mulvey moved to Birmingham, where he was appointed Reader in Electron Physics at what was then the Birmingham College of Advanced Technology (now Aston University). His years there will be remembered for his work on a battery of unconventional magnetic lenses, on which a series of research students, often from Egypt, the Middle East and even further away prepared their dissertations. Those students remember with great affection and respect the professor who helped them to settle in England, who invited them to his home and involved himself closely in all their doings. Tom, an enthusiastc linguist, added a knowledge of Arabic to his German, Chinese and Russian! It was during these years that Tom Mulvey began making regular visits to electron opticians and microscopists behind the Iron Curtain, to Halle in East Germany and Brno in Czechoslovakia in particular. Not only did he bring papers and books but above all, he made those isolated scientists feel part of the scientific community. Another major interest was the history of electron microscopy. His first contribution was ‘Origins and historical development of the electron microscope’, a remarkable piece of work for very little had been written about these matters at that date, apart from two review articles by Ruska and Gabor. Many such historical articles followed as well as biographical studies of several major figures: Jan le Poole, V. Ellis Cosslett and Ernst Ruska. Many more details of his life together with appreciative memoirs from many of his friends are to found in the “Celebration” of his 80th birthday in Proc. Roy. Microc. Soc. 39 (2004) 206-233 and a near-complete list of his publications appears in J. Microsc. 179 (1995) 97-104. Tributes have flooded in since the news of his death became known, which demonstrate better than any words of mine the affectionate respect and esteem in which he was held world-wide. The European Microscopy Society extends its sincere sympathy to his family.
Prof. Dr. Leo Ginsel (°1947 – † 07.01.2009)
Leo Ginsel was born on July 24, 1947 in Leiden and died on January 7, 2009 in Mook, both in The Netherlands. In Leiden he was educated at the Christian Lyceum after which he chose to study biology at Leiden University . He finished his studies in 1973 and his ambition was to obtain a research position at the Laboratory for Electron Microscopy. His scientific work focused on the structure and function of intestinal cells, for which he used the EM and associated techniques. His diligent laboratory work accumulated results which culminated in a PhD thesis in 1979. The title of the thesis was: “Lysosomes and storage diseases, a morphological, cytochemical, and autoradiographical study on the function of lysosomes in the absorptive cells of the human intestine in relation to the transport and secretion of cell-coat material”: a long title for a nice story about the network of interactions between cell coat, surface organelles, lysosomes, uptake and degradation in intestinal epithelial cells. After his thesis, Leo managed to get a permanent position at the EM lab, where he ultimately became Head of the Department in 1987. In 1991 he moved to Nijmegen and became full professor of Cell Biology and Histology. Teaching was not, or almost not an issue for him in Leiden , but in Nijmegen a full teaching load was laid on his shoulders. We have seen Leo as a hardworking, sympathetic biologist engaging himself in many different aspects of life. Apart from scientific work itself, it became evident that scientific organisations also attracted his attention. He was not only chairman of the Dutch Society for Microscopy (NVvM) in the period 1996 – 2003, but also a member of the Executive Board of the European Microscopy Society (EMS), where he accepted the role of Treasurer by the end of the year 2000 soon after the birth of this new society. Initially, the cash-box did not contain an appreciable amount of money but, thanks to the adoption of new rules, such as the en-bloc membership, and particularly Leo’s careful management, the revenues grew with the result that the EMS is now on quite firm financial grounds. It was in connection with the European Microscopy Society that his human qualities shone out most brightly for those of us who did not know him as a scientist. His ability to deal with the different styles and attitudes of the presidents, secretaries and treasurers of the many national and regional microscopy societies throughout Europe was most impressive – even those most reluctant to pay their membership fees finally succumbed to his courteous pressure! Leo published many articles, at first concerning his work on intestinal cells; later his studies also included monocytes, macrophages, granulocytes and finally the diaphragm. Many of his articles are written in collaboration with colleagues from other universities, indicating his ability to cooperate successfully with investigators outside his home institute. These articles were published in high-ranking international journals. Leo was also a member of many learned societies. In Nijmegen , he found himself teaching medical and biomedical students at different levels, including both practical and theoretical training. He was actively involved in lecturing, but he was also a moving force in many committees concerned with the maintenance and development of education. From outside Nijmegen , it is difficult to describe on these aspects of Leo’s professional life, but we can say with confidence that every single person involved in education must have appreciated his human and practical attitude. Among his external colleagues one of us (EW) has experienced this attitude during the production of the histology textbook “Functionele Histologie” from the eighth to the eleventh edition (2000 – 2007). The publication profited greatly from Leo’s experience of what students need and appreciate during the process of increasing their knowledge. During many other occasions, all of us also appreciated Leo’s stories about the long and very far travels he made to different countries and the way he enjoyed meeting and talking to people, often in support when needed, apparently another expression of his interest in the human soul. The shocking news of his early death brought many people to his funeral at which the strong appreciation for his person was expressed by the many flowers and touching speeches. We sincerely hope that Marija, his spouse, and his children Bastiaan and Dorien felt supported by the present expression of our appreciation for Leo. We will miss his kindness, his professional support and his great humanity very much, so it is with deep respect that we would like to co-sign this in memoriam for Leo who has been a meticulous professional and caring person who will leave a strong and lasting impression on all of us. Wolfgang BaumeisterLast President CEMESMartinsried, Germany Eddie WisseFirst secretary EMSKeerbergen, Belgium Peter HawkesFounder-President EMSToulouse, France Jose CarrascosaFirst President EMSMadrid, Spain Ueli AebiFormer President EMSBasel, Switzerland Paul MidgleyPresident EMSCambridge, UK Nick SchryversSecretary EMSAntwerp, Belgium for all former and present members of the Executive Board of EMS
Dr. Nicolas Boisset († 04.01.2008)
The Société Française des Microscopies is very sorry to announce the death of Dr. Nicolas Boisset, its 2008 President and esteemed colleague. Nicolas Boisset graduated with a degree in Pharmacy from the University of Tours (France), and went on to do a PhD thesis under the supervision of Pr. Jean Lamy. He was interested in the structure of human a -macroglobulins and of the hemocyanins from arthropods. Nicolas was one of the pioneers in the use of cryo-electron microscopy and 3D reconstruction in France, as applied to the structural investigation of macromolecular systems. After his PhD thesis in 1990, he did post-doctoral work in the USA, with Joachim Frank, further increasing his understanding of these techniques. This was the beginning of a long collaboration between the two groups, which lasted until his death. Back in Tours, Nicolas was appointed as research associate in the National Center for Scientific Research (CNRS) in Jean Lamy’s research group. He devoted most of his research effort to the investigation of respiratory pigments of invertebrates and other macromolecular complexes. In the year 2000, he moved to Paris , at the University of Paris 7- Denis Diderot (IMPMC), where he set up his own research group. He was promoted director of research at the CNRS in 2003. Nicolas, together with his collaborators, has authored over fifty publications in international journals. His major interest, and major impact on the French and international scientific community is in the field of cryo-electron microscopy and high resolution 3D reconstruction of single particles. As such, he was an outstanding ambassador of the French electron microscopy community around the world and has been involved, among others, in the European Network “3D Electron Microscopy”. As teaching has always been one of his major concerns, he has participated in numerous international schools and workshops devoted to electron microscopy. All his collaborators and friends keep fond memories of his human qualities and his scientific aura. Finally, let’s not forget to mention Nicolas’s other major hobby and interest: he was a very talented tenor. Discussing music with him was always a great pleasure. Nicolas Boisset passed away in Paris on the 4 th of January 2008 .
Prof. Dr. Em. Severin Amelinckx (°1922 – † 22.02.2007)
Severin Amelinckx was born on October 30, 1922, in Willebroek, Belgium. Since 1930 he lived in Antwerp where he went to high school from 1934 till 1940 at the Royal Atheneum of Berchem. From 1940 till 1944 he finished his licence studies (now Master’s) in mathematics plus a candidacy (now Bachelor) in physics at the State University of Ghent. After the war he was a high school teacher for a few years at different Athenea in the Antwerp district and in 1948 he became the first scientific collaborator of Prof. Dekeyser in Ghent. In 1951 he completed his studies in physics and in 1952 he obtained his Ph.D. in physics entitled “Observations concerning spiral growth of carborundum crystals”. In 1955 he obtained his Habilitation with the work entitled “Microscopic and interferometric study of crystal surfaces related with the theory of dislocations”. After a few post-doctoral research periods in Groningen, London and Illinois he became lecturer and later extra-ordinary professor at the State University of Ghent. From the start of the State University Centre of Antwerp (RUCA) in 1965 he became extra-ordinary professor at this institute. He was responsible for courses as “General Physics” and more specialised themes such as “Radiation Damage in Materials” and “Physics of Materials”. At the same University he initiated the “Centre for High Tension Electron Microscopy”. Later he also became professor at the Free University of Brussels and held several teaching chairs at universities abroad including Carnegie Mellon Institute of Technology, Stanford University and La Sorbonne. In the mean time, in 1959 he became president of the department of Solid State Physics of the “Research Centre for Nuclear Energy” in Mol, Belgium. In 1963 he was appointed Assistent Director General of the Nuclear Centre and in 1975 Director General, which he stayd till his retirement in 1987. Since 1981 he was a member of the Royal Academy of Sciences, Fine Arts and Literature of Belgium and in 1993 he was governer-president of the Class of Sciences of this Academy. In 1997 he became honorable member of this Academy. He was also a member of the Royal Academy of Overseas Sciences, the Royal Dutch Academy for Sciences and the Academia Europea in London. He was Doctor Honoris Causa at the University of Thessaloniki in Greece, holder of the Belgian Franqui Chair and of several other scientific prices in Belgium and abroad. Severin Amelinckx was member of different international scientific societies, among which the “International Union of Crystallography”. He also was editor or member of the editorial board of about twenty international scientific journals covering a wide span of scientific topics: examples are Physica Status Solidi, Materials Research Bulletin, Juornal of Materials Science, Solid State Communications, Journal of Solid State Chemistry, International Journal for Crystal Growth, Ultramicroscopy, Radiation Effects, Applied Physics, Crystal Lattice Defects, Thin Films and Journal of Computational and Applied Mathematics. Together with his co-workers, he has published more than 1.000 scientific publications and several books which received more than 10.000 referals. His scientific accomplishments are impossible to describe in a few sentences. He started his carrier with the study of dislocations, at the time still with optical microscopy. Later he stood at the cradle of the development and application of the technique of electron microscopy – diffraction as well as imaging – in materials science, the latter afterwards extended to atomic resolution. He applied this technique to the study of a large diversity of materials such as semiconductors, alloys, dichalcogenides, ceramics, quasicrystals, superconductors, buckyballs, nanotubes, etc. He had a special gift to turn complex diffraction patterns as well as conventional and high resolution electron images into simple or less simple models of structures or defects, always with the aim of better describing and understanding matter. Till a few years ago he still regularly visited the lab he started and even after that he still asked us to send him our most recently published papers. In the name of his past and present co-workers we would like to add that it has not only been a great honour to have been able to work together with “Mister Amelinckx”, as that is how we called him at the lab, but also a great pleasure: his inspiring enthousiasm for science, his phenomenous memory, knowledge and ability to reason together with his gentle character resulted in working with him to be a real treat. The “Centre for High Tension Electron Microscopy” that he started at what is now the University of Antwerp and that later was renamed into “Electron Microscopy for Materials Science”, also known as EMAT, now hosts 6 TEMs, 1 SEM, 1 FIB and 1 X-ray diffractometer and has about 45 co-workers. Prof. Amelinckx passed away at the St. Elizabeth hospital in Antwerp on February 22, 2007. Gustaaf Van TendelooDirk Van DyckDominique SchryversJozef Van LanduytThe EMAT team