The recent Kavli nanoscience prize winner, Allan MacDonald, is a Canadian physicist who has made significant contributions to the field of Twistronics. This field focuses on the quantum behavior of materials organized in two-dimensional layers, such as graphene. The prize recognizes MacDonald's work alongside Eva Andrei and Pablo Jarillo-Herrero, who have all uncovered how the quantum properties of these materials can drastically change when the layers are slightly rotated relative to each other. This discovery has led to the development of superconductors, allowing electricity to flow without resistance. MacDonald's journey to this recognition began in Canada, where he faced limited opportunities in his field during the 1980s. He had to seek academic positions in the United States, eventually settling in Texas. Despite this setback, he continues to engage with the quantum materials community in Canada, including as an adviser to the CIFAR quantum materials program. The Kavli nanoscience prize, worth $1 million, is a prestigious award that specifically recognizes the area of quantum materials research, making it particularly meaningful to MacDonald. This prize highlights the importance of his work and the potential for further advancements in the field of Twistronics.
