Robert James Moon (February 14, 1911 – November 1, 1989) was an American

physicist A physicist is a scientist who specializes in the field of physics, which encompasses the interactions of matter and energy at all length and time scales in the physical universe. Physicists generally are interested in the root or ultimate cau ...

chemist A chemist (from Greek ''chēm(ía)'' alchemy; replacing ''chymist'' from Medieval Latin ''alchemist'') is a graduated scientist trained in the study of chemistry, or an officially enrolled student in the field. Chemists study the composition of ...

and

engineer Engineers, as practitioners of engineering, are professionals who Invention, invent, design, build, maintain and test machines, complex systems, structures, gadgets and materials. They aim to fulfill functional objectives and requirements while ...

. A graduate of the

University of Chicago The University of Chicago (UChicago, Chicago, or UChi) is a Private university, private research university in Chicago, Illinois, United States. Its main campus is in the Hyde Park, Chicago, Hyde Park neighborhood on Chicago's South Side, Chic ...

, he served on the faculty there and participated in the

Manhattan Project The Manhattan Project was a research and development program undertaken during World War II to produce the first nuclear weapons. It was led by the United States in collaboration with the United Kingdom and Canada. From 1942 to 1946, the ...

Timeline Summary of Dr. Robert J. Moon's Life

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Early Life and Education (1911–1930s)

* February 14, 1911: Born in Leesburg, Virginia. His upbringing on a farm fostered practical problem-solving skills and an early interest in science. * 1930–1935: Attended the University of Chicago, earning dual Ph.D.s in Physical Chemistry and Physics. His studies focused on cutting-edge atomic research under William Draper Harkins. * 1934–1935: Designed and built one of the first cyclotrons, improving on Ernest Lawrence’s model to advance nuclear experimentation. ----

Manhattan Project Contributions (1942–1945)

* 1942: Joined the Metallurgical Laboratory ("Met Lab", re-named the Argonne national laboratory after WWII) at the University of Chicago, part of the Manhattan Project. * Contributed to solving graphite contamination issues in Chicago Pile-1 (CP-1), the world’s first controlled nuclear reactor, enabling the first nuclear chain reaction. * 1945: Continued working on nuclear materials testing and reactor design until the end of World War II. ----

Post-War Research and Innovations (1945–1960s)

* Focused on peaceful applications of nuclear energy and biophysics: ** 1950s: Developed the first scanning X-ray microscope, enabling clearer imaging of dense body tissues and advancing medical diagnostics. ** Conducted pioneering studies on nerve action potentials, bridging physics and biology. * Explored theoretical approaches to electrodynamics, questioning prevailing assumptions in atomic and nuclear physics. ----

Development of the Geometric Nuclear Model (1970s–1980s)

* 1970s: Began theorizing that atomic nuclei are structured according to nested Platonic solids, a geometric framework that correlates with the periodic table. * Collaborated with scientists and philosophers, including

Lyndon LaRouche Lyndon Hermyle LaRouche Jr. (September 8, 1922 – February 12, 2019) was an American political activist who founded the LaRouche movement and its main organization, the National Caucus of Labor Committees (NCLC). He was a prominent conspiracy ...

, to explore quantized space and its implications for nuclear stability and atomic behavior. * 1984: Participated in interviews and discussions to explain his geometric nuclear model and its role in explaining atomic periodicity. ----

Legacy and Final Years (1980s–1989)

* 1987: Delivered a lecture titled "How He Conceived His Nuclear Model", summarizing his lifelong scientific journey and the development of his geometric periodic table. * May 1, 1989: Passed away, leaving a legacy of interdisciplinary contributions across nuclear physics, biophysics, and theoretical chemistry. ----

Posthumous Recognition (1990s–2000s)

* 1993: Discovery of safely stored radioactive materials in his home reflected his meticulous nature as a scientist. * 2004: Featured in ''21st Century Science & Technology'', celebrating his geometric periodic table model and scientific achievements.

References

External links

* Who Was Robert J. Moon? https://21sci-tech.com/articles/drmoon.html ''21st Century Science & Technology'' * University of Chicago Photo Archive, Accelerator Building http://photoarchive.lib.uchicago.edu/db.xqy?one=apf2-00146.xml * Interview: Robert Moon. Part I. 'We grew up confident we could solve any problem.' https://larouchepub.com/eiw/public/1987/eirv14n43-19871030/eirv14n43-19871030_031-dr_robert_moon.pdf

Executive Intelligence Review ''Executive Intelligence Review'' (''EIR'') is a weekly newsmagazine founded in 1974 by the American political activist Lyndon LaRouche. Based in Leesburg, Virginia, it maintains offices in a number of countries, according to its masthead, inc ...

, Vol. 14, No. 43, Oct. 30, 1987. * Interview: Robert Moon. Part II. New hypothesis shows geometry of atomic nucleus.

, Vol. 14, No. 44, Nov. 6, 1987. https://larouchepub.com/eiw/public/1987/eirv14n44-19871106/eirv14n44-19871106_018-dr_robert_moon.pdf * Hecht, Laurence. The Geometric Basis for the Periodicity of the Elements. https://www.yumpu.com/en/document/view/31206913/the-geometry-the-nucleus ''21st Century Science & Technology'', May-June 1988, pp. 18-30. * Continuing the Legacy of Dr. Robert J. Moon. https://21sci-tech.com/Subscriptions/Archive/2004_F.pdf 21st Century Science & Technology. Fall 2004, pp. 8-77. * Interview, Jan/Feb 1985, pg 56. Fusion Magazine http://wlym.com/archive/fusion/fusion/19850102-fusion.pdf * International journal of fusion energy, April 1985, pg. 63, http://wlym.com/archive/fusion/ijfe/19850404-IJFE.pdf * Memorandum, Nov 17th, 1989 https://larouchepub.com/eiw/public/1989/eirv16n46-19891117/eirv16n46-19891117_027-in_memoriam_dr_robert_j_moon.pdf * Moon pictured, Nov 17th, 1989 https://larouchepub.com/eiw/public/1989/eirv16n46-19891117/eirv16n46-19891117_018-the_fusion_energy_foundation_10.pdf * List of Dr. Moon articles from 21st century science mag https://www.researchgate.net/profile/Charles-Stevens-10 {{DEFAULTSORT:Moon, Robert James 1911 births 1989 deaths 20th-century American physicists University of Chicago faculty University of Chicago alumni Manhattan Project people