Every year, Clarivate, the organization behind the Web of Science database, attempts to predict the next Nobel laureates in science. Their success rate is quite impressive, having accurately predicted 75 winners in the past through in-depth analysis of top researchers’ publications and citations.

This year’s list features 22 exceptional scientists who have made significant contributions across fields such as physiology, physics, chemistry and economics. Among them is Prof. Rafi Bistritzer from Tel Aviv University’s School of Physics and Astronomy, a scientist already globally recognized for his work in theoretical physics.

Prof. Bistritzer specializes in the theoretical study of complex two-dimensional materials formed by layering thin sheets on top of each other. In bilayer graphene, he demonstrated that a twist angle of 1.1 degrees, known as the “magic angle”, causes electrons to slow down and nearly stop, fundamentally altering the material’s electronic properties. This discovery marked the beginning of a new field called “twistronics”, a groundbreaking area with the potential for new scientific insights and exciting technological developments.

This recognition underscores the potential for a future Nobel Prize nomination and highlights the broad impact of Prof. Bistritzer’s research on our understanding of materials and physics. In 2020, Prof. Bistritzer, along with Prof. Allan H. MacDonald from the University of Texas and Prof. Pablo Jarillo-Herrero from MIT, was awarded the prestigious Wolf Prize for their achievements in this field.