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Illustration by Mike Mullen

Oct. 28, 2005 – Scientists often talk about standing on the shoulders of giants, referring to the great minds who inspired and instructed their own discoveries. Sometimes, a scientist is that giant.

Richard Smalley, the Nobel Prize-winning chemist who championed nanotechnology across the globe, earned that stature years ago. His co-discovery in the 1980s of fullerenes — or buckyballs, as he preferred to call them — rejuvenated the physical sciences. His invention of a process for making carbon nanotubes, a tubular form of fullerenes, fueled nanotube research and later commercialization.

And his eloquence on Capitol Hill, where he testified before science subcommittees and lobbied for support for nanosciences, persuaded many of the nation’s political leaders to invest in the emerging field. Nanotechnology now has an act in its name, and a $3.7 billion commitment from Congress. Appropriately, he attended the bill’s signing ceremony in the White House.

Rick Smalley died today after a long battle with non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma. He was a good friend to many people in the nanotechnology community, including Small Times. In 2001, he agreed to make himself accessible for three days to be profiled in the inaugural issue of Small Times magazine. The company then had no name recognition, no print publications and only a few online readers.

He remained a stalwart advocate for this publication and for efforts by many others who he felt shared his dedication toward furthering nanotechnology. He also could be a biting critic of those whose views he found scientifically objectionable.

Rick Smalley will be remembered for his scientific genius, his relentless drive and commitment to achieving the best — the traits that make him a giant. Hopefully history will also recognize his other attributes: his great sense of humor, generous spirit and endless curiosity.