Johan Diederich (‘Joop’) Fast (1905 – 1991): look at a molecular scale first

摘要

@@My education as a chemical engineer at the Technical University of Eindhoven was a pretty dull affair. It was technically solid and scientifically sound, but the general atmosphere was not very exciting and in particular it lacked an inquisitive academic spirit. Frankly speaking I learned more from the activities of the student societies like the ‘Eindhovens Studenten Corps’ and the ‘Protestantse Gespreksgroep’ than through classes and practical exercises. There were a few exceptions, like the classes of professors Zwikker, Schuit and Fast. Joop Fast was the most special of the three. He was a self made man and had move himself up through the ranks at Philips Research: from a laboratory assistant to a chief researcher and part-time professor (later he got a doctorate from Delft University on a honorary basis).