Pierre-Gilles de Gennes quotes

The real point of honor [for a scientist] is not to be always right. It is to dare to propose new ideas, and then to check them. (Pierre-Gilles de Gennes)
Benjamin Franklin performed a beautiful experiment using surfactants. View quote
Pierre-Gilles de Gennes
In our days, when we are spoilt with exceedingly complex toys, such as nuclear reactors or synchrotron sources, I particularly like to describe experiments of this Franklin style to my students. View quote
Pierre-Gilles de Gennes
A dense film of a conventional surfactant is quite impermeable. On the other hand, a dense film of Janus grains always has some interstices between the grains, and allows for chemical exchange between the two sides; "the skin can breathe." View quote
Pierre-Gilles de Gennes