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Renowned nuclear physics expert, Professor Emeritus Lee Grodzins, passes away at the age of 98.

Pioneering nuclear physicist and entrepreneur, formerly of MIT, Lee Grodzins, passes away at 98 years old. He is renowned for his groundbreaking experiment that established the helicity of the neutrino, significantly advancing our comprehension of the weak interaction.

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Renowned nuclear physicist and entrepreneur Lee Grodzins, aged 98, passes away. Known for his...
Renowned nuclear physicist and entrepreneur Lee Grodzins, aged 98, passes away. Known for his groundbreaking work, Grodzins conducted an influential experiment that established the helicity of the neutrino, significantly contributing to the comprehension of the weak interaction. Additionally, he was a successful tech entrepreneur.

Renowned nuclear physics expert, Professor Emeritus Lee Grodzins, passes away at the age of 98.

Renowned Nuclear Physicist Lee Grodzins Passes Away at 98

A pioneering figure in the realm of nuclear physics, Lee Grodzins, passed away on March 6 at the Maplewood Senior Living Community in Weston, Massachusetts. He was 98.

Throughout his distinguished career, Grodzins made significant strides in understanding the fundamental properties of subatomic particles, particularly the neutrino, and the nature of weak interactions. Among his most influential accomplishments was determining the helicity of the neutrino, which played a key role in solidifying our understanding of weak interactions.

Grodzins was a prolific researcher, publishing over 170 scientific papers and holding 64 U.S. patents. Before retiring in 1999, he spent 40 years as a physics faculty member at MIT, where he launched the relativistic heavy-ion physics program.

Born on July 10, 1926, in Lowell, Massachusetts, to Eastern European Jewish immigrants, Grodzins grew up in Manchester, New Hampshire. Following his father's premature death when he was 15, Grodzins started his own newspaper distribution business, which he grew into the second-largest in the city. His academic journey began at the University of New Hampshire, from which he graduated in less than three years with a degree in mechanical engineering.

Intrigued by physics after disagreeing with a textbook claiming "never" could be used to describe certain phenomena, Grodzins shifted his focus and wrote his senior thesis on "Atomic Theory." He then went on to pursue a career in nuclear physics, working initially at General Electric's Research Laboratory and later earning a PhD from Purdue University.

In 1957, while working at Brookhaven National Laboratory, Grodzins, along with Maurice Goldhaber and Andy Sunyar, conducted a groundbreaking experiment using a tabletop device to measure the helicity of the neutrino. This experiment provided crucial evidence that weak interactions violate parity symmetry and are left-handed, contributing significantly to the emerging Standard Model of particle physics.

Grodzins' substantial contributions to the field earned him numerous accolades, including Guggenheim Fellowships in 1964 and 1971, a senior von Humboldt fellowship in 1980, and an honorary doctor of science degree from Purdue University in 1998.

Alongside his scientific endeavors, Grodzins also founded several organizations, including Niton Corp. and the nonprofit Cornerstones of Science. A dedicated mentor, he supported and inspired countless students throughout his career.

Grodzins leaves behind a lasting legacy in the world of physics, his wife, Lulu, two sons, Dean and Hal, and several grandchildren. A remembrance and celebration of his life are being planned for this summer, with donations in his name welcomed by Cornerstones of Science.

  1. The loss of nuclear physicist Lee Grodzins, who passed away at 98, marks a significant departure from the world of science.
  2. Grodzins's career was characterized by groundbreaking contributions in understanding subatomic particles, particularly the neutrino.
  3. In determining the helicity of the neutrino, Grodzins played a key role in solidifying our understanding of weak interactions.
  4. A prolific researcher, Grodzins published over 170 scientific papers and held 64 U.S. patents.
  5. His pioneering work launched the relativistic heavy-ion physics program at MIT, where he spent 40 years as a faculty member.
  6. Born in Lowell, Massachusetts, Grodzins grew up in Manchester, New Hampshire, and started a newspaper distribution business after his father's death.
  7. Intrigued by physics, Grodzins wrote his senior thesis on "Atomic Theory" and pursued a career in nuclear physics.
  8. In 1957, while at Brookhaven National Laboratory, Grodzins, along with his colleagues, conducted an experiment to measure the helicity of the neutrino.
  9. This experiment provided evidence that weak interactions violate parity symmetry and are left-handed, contributing significantly to the Standard Model of particle physics.
  10. Grodzins's substantial contributions to the field earned him numerous awards, including the Guggenheim Fellowships in 1964 and 1971.
  11. He also founded organizations such as Niton Corp. and the nonprofit Cornerstones of Science.
  12. As a dedicated mentor, Grodzins supported and inspired countless students throughout his career.
  13. In addition to his scientific contributions, Grodzins leaves a lasting legacy in the fields of energy and technology.
  14. News of his passing has sent ripples through the academic community, with tributes pouring in from students, faculty, and fellow scientists.
  15. The campus community remembers Grodzins as a passionate educator who sought to advance education and self-development.
  16. In memorial of Grodzins, donations are welcome by Cornerstones of Science, an organization he founded dedicated to promoting public understanding of science, particularly in the areas of astronomy, medical-conditions, engineering, and technology.

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