Jacob Nissim Israelachvili was a distinguished physicist and chemical engineer who served as a professor at the University of California, Santa Barbara for over thirty years. Born in Tel Aviv, Israel on August 19, 1944, he received his PhD in Physics from Christ's College, Cambridge in 1972 under the supervision of Professor David Tabor following early education at an English boarding school and military service in Israel. After postdoctoral research at the Cavendish Laboratory and an EMBO Fellowship at Stockholm University, he spent twelve formative years at the Australian National University establishing his research program in surface science. In 1986, he joined UC Santa Barbara as a professor with joint appointments in Chemical Engineering and Materials Science, later becoming Professor Emeritus in 2017 while continuing active research until his death.
Israelachvili revolutionized interfacial science through his development of the surface force apparatus, which enabled unprecedented precision in measuring molecular forces between surfaces in liquid environments. His groundbreaking work during the 1970s allowed scientists to directly quantify van der Waals forces and other intermolecular interactions at the nanoscale, transforming fundamental understanding of colloidal systems and biological interfaces. He authored the seminal textbook Intermolecular and Surface Forces which became the definitive reference in the field and has guided generations of researchers worldwide. His research elucidated critical principles governing molecular behavior in complex systems, leading to practical applications in biocompatible surfaces, novel structured materials, and diagnostic tools for pathological membranes and tissues. The experimental techniques he pioneered remain foundational to contemporary research in nanotechnology and soft matter physics.
As a mentor and collaborator, Israelachvili profoundly influenced the scientific community through his leadership of the Interfacial Sciences Laboratory at UCSB and extensive international research partnerships. Recognized with membership in the National Academy of Sciences, National Academy of Engineering, and Royal Society, his contributions extended far beyond academia to impact multiple technological domains. Israelachvili passed away on September 20, 2018, after a battle with cancer, leaving behind a rich scientific legacy that continues to inspire innovation across disciplines. His rigorous approach to measuring molecular forces remains essential to advancing our understanding of material interfaces and continues to shape research directions in physical chemistry and materials science.
