Oral History: René Flükiger (2014)

René Flükiger was born in Monaco. At the age of four, Flükiger returned to Italy with his mother, and then at ten moved to Switzerland, when his mother was remarried to a Swiss citizen. He graduated from the ETH in Zurich with a degree in Experimental Physics, and finished his Ph.D. thesis at the University of Geneva in 1972. Over his thirty year career, Flükiger conducted research at the University of Geneva, at MIT, in Karlsruhe, and then for much of his career as a professor at the University of Geneva. His research has focused on superconducting materials, wire, and tapes, and their industrial and scientific applications. Much of his work has been at the intersection of physics and metallurgy. Currently, he serves as Vice Chairman of the Implementing Agreement “HTS Superconductors” of the International Energy Agency (IEA), and is a Resident Associate on an irradiation program at CERN. In addition to his superconductivity work, he was engaged by Rolex in a successful project developing an entirely new spring for use in the company's well-known watches.

In this interview, Flükiger discusses his early interest in physics and metallurgy leading him to his work in superconductors and applications. Involved in both the research and industrial aspect of the field for over thirty years, he stresses the importance of the quality of materials, hard work, and hands-on-experience in order to gain a further understanding. Reflecting on his various experiences and research ventures on superconducting materials, he comments on how incremental progress contributes to the general progress of the field, how to remain motivated in the face of difficulties and disappointments, and on the evolution of the field during his career.