Andre Geim

Andre Geim – Life, Research, and Memorable Insights

Learn about Andre Geim (born October 21, 1958): the Russian-born Dutch-British physicist who co-discovered graphene, won a Nobel Prize, and holds the rare distinction of being both a Nobel and Ig Nobel laureate. Explore his biography, research, philosophy, and famous quotes.

Introduction

Sir Andre Konstantin Geim is a physicist best known for his groundbreaking work on graphene, a one-atom-thick sheet of carbon with remarkable electrical, mechanical, and thermal properties. His unconventional approach to experimentation and amusement with curiosity-driven research have made him a standout figure in modern physics. Geim has the rare distinction of being not only a Nobel laureate (2010) but also an Ig Nobel laureate (2000) — awarded for levitating a frog using diamagnetism.

Other Notable Work

• Diamagnetic levitation / the levitating frog: In 1997, Geim (with Michael Berry) showed that a frog could be made to levitate via diamagnetic forces in a strong magnetic field. This experiment earned them the Ig Nobel Prize in 2000 — making Geim the only person to hold both Ig Nobel and Nobel Prizes.

• Gecko tape / biomimetic adhesives: Geim’s group developed adhesive materials inspired by gecko foot hairs—small-scale, self-cleaning adhesives that mimic the properties of gecko adhesion.

• More broadly, Geim’s scientific philosophy includes shifting research interests occasionally; he famously changed subject domains multiple times early in his career, rather than sticking strictly to one niche.

Honors, Awards & Traits

• 2010 Nobel Prize in Physics (shared with Novoselov)

• Ig Nobel Prize (Physics) in 2000 for the levitating frog experiment

• He has received many prestigious awards: Mott Medal, Hughes Medal, Copley Medal, EuroPhysics Prize, etc.

• Geim was knighted (Knight Bachelor) in the UK and received Dutch honors (Order of the Netherlands Lion).

• He held the Regius Professorship of Physics at Manchester and was a Royal Society Research Professor.

• As of recent developments, in 2025 it was reported that his Dutch citizenship was revoked, because the Netherlands does not allow dual citizenship in certain cases (he had taken British citizenship).

Personality, Approach & Philosophy

• Geim is known for his playful curiosity, often embracing problems and experiments that others might deem eccentric. His levitating frog is a great example of exploring the “odd” to discover deeper physics.

• He once said that he changed his research subject five times before getting a tenured position, valuing the breadth of ideas over staying in one comfortable lane.

• Geim has spoken candidly about the importance of serendipity, playful experiments, and letting curiosity guide science beyond the pressures of immediate applications.

• His public persona embraces humility: even after winning the Nobel, he emphasized that his daily routine did not change much, and that he still enjoys doing science for its own sake.

Memorable Quotes

Here are a few attributed statements or paraphrased views by Andre Geim:

• “Many people choose a subject for their PhD and then continue the same subject until they retire. I despise this approach.”

• “I changed my subject five times before I got my first tenured position.”

• Upon winning the Nobel: he expressed that he was not surprised in his day-to-day life (“I’m fine, I slept well.”) and that the plans for that day would not change.

• Regarding the frog experiment & Ig Nobel: he embraced it as part of his scientific curiosity, not embarrassed by it.

Lessons & Reflections

From Geim’s life and scientific path, several broader lessons emerge:

1. Curiosity pays
   Even playful or low-stakes experiments (like levitating a frog) can lead to insight—science benefits from open-ended exploration.

2. Don’t fear changing direction
   Adhering rigidly to one domain may limit opportunity; Geim’s willingness to shift topics fueled fresh ideas.

3. Simplicity sometimes hides power
   His method of peeling off layers of graphite with tape was low-tech yet transformative—a reminder that extraordinary discoveries sometimes arise from simple techniques.

4. Balance rigor and fun
   He shows that serious science and a sense of play are not incompatible—a combination that can stimulate creativity.

5. Humility in success
   Despite major honors, Geim maintains grounded perspectives, valuing the process of research over accolades.