A Vision for Light: Joe Smith and CARS
Professor Joseph V. Smith was Louis Block Professor of Physical Sciences and Coordinator of Scientific Programs for CARS, the Center for Advanced Radiation Sources, based in the Department of Geophysical Sciences of the University of Chicago, where he taught and conducted research from 1960 to 2003. He is best known for research in zeolite molecular sieves and for working on meteorites related to the origin and geological evolution of the planets and satellites of the solar system. He was always interested in safety, both of individuals and of the species, and produced a manuscript entitled Living Safely, which puts together all the ways to live more safely.
The following text was prepared for a memorial held in honor of Joseph Smith on October 6, 2007, at the University of Chicago. Smith was Louis Block Professor Emeritus in Geophysical Sciences at the University of Chicago, where he taught and conducted research from 1960 to 2003.
Joseph Smith developed a far-reaching, deeply ambitious vision to place the University of Chicago at the forefront of synchrotron X-ray science. With characteristic determination, political acumen, and farsightedness, Joe pursued this plan in the face of vocal skepticism from many quarters.
Never one to think small, Joe realized that such a project required some unconventional tactics. With his usual enthusiasm, he sought out:
- Broad support beyond the University (Technology Challenge Grant proposal funded by the State of Illinois)
- Cooperation with publicly funded institutions (Northern Illinois University and Southern Illinois University at Carbondale were brought into the resulting Consortium)
- Representation across disciplines (sectors proposed for biology, geology, chemistry, and soil/environmental science)
- Involvement with industrial research
Collaboration with the nascent synchrotron community in Australia
While such strategies are now commonplace in large-scale science, in 1989 they were still considered somewhat heretical. However, time proved Joe right on nearly all counts. The Center for Advanced Radiation Sources now operates four sectors—just as Joe originally envisioned.
Mineral and Human Welfare Bibliographical Database (This 795-page database produced by Joe includes (Part I) a comprehensive reference list on Art and Archaeology, Biomineralogy, Environmental Mineralogy and Geochemistry, High Pressure Mineralogy, Materials Science, Medical Mineralogy, and Oceanic Mineralogy. Part II is an exhaustive reference list to publications documenting the crystal structures of known minerals. This database is available here online for the first time by permission of the author.
J. V. Smith Memorial Event at the University of Chicago, October 6, 2007
University of Chicago Obituary for Joseph Smith (1928 – 2007)
Anderson Booklet (the booklet produced by Fred Anderson for the J.V.Smith Event and distributed to attendees)
Virginia Smith Booklet (the booklet produced by Joe’s daughter Ginnie on the occasion of the J.V. Smith Event)
CARS poster (produced by John Shick, Jane Andrews, and Joy Talsma for the JVS Event)
