Michael John Whelan

Abstract Mike Whelan was a physicist with outstanding practical and theoretical skills. He employed them boldly in his key role of bringing to fruition and further development the idea of imaging dislocations and other crystal defects with the electron microscope. His work not only triggered an avalanche through which electron imaging and diffraction became such a key technique in materials science, but also led the way in interpreting the images and extracting quantitative information. Fresh life was brought to the Schrodinger formulation of quantum mechanics. Whelan's talents were augmented by his own very strong mode of learning and looking at things with an eye for detail that could often escape others. Unlike most scientists who interacted closely with colleagues in Japan, he took the trouble to become reasonably proficient in the language. His sometimes naive but invariably generous behaviour in social engagements endeared him to many.