John E. Fischer, materials professor

John E. Fischer, 72, of Swarthmore, professor emeritus of materials science and engineering at the University of Pennsylvania, died at home on Tuesday, June 28, of complications from polycystic kidney disease.

Dr. Fischer was recognized as a world leader in the science and engineering of carbon-based materials, and was cited as one of the world's 20 top scientists in the field of nanotechnology, said Peter Davies, chairman of the Department of Materials Science and Engineering at Penn's School of Engineering and Applied Science.

"His seminal studies of the physics and chemistry of carbon-based materials provided the basis for many advances in battery and energy storage technologies," Davies said.

Dr. Fischer joined Penn's electrical engineering department in 1973 and its materials science and engineering department in 1984. He became professor emeritus in 2009.

For almost 30 years, he struggled with his disease, and underwent two kidney transplants and a liver transplant. Nonetheless, he pursued a distinguished career, authoring more than 400 papers, presenting more than 200 lectures at national and international meetings, and mentoring dozens of undergraduate, graduate, and postdoctoral scholars, Davies said.

"To track down professors, usually you go to their office. Not Jack. If you wanted to find him, you would go to his lab," Davies said. "He had an enthusiasm for designing the perfect experiment."

Dr. Fischer grew up in the Queens borough of New York City. He earned a bachelor's degree in mechanical engineering from Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute; a master's degree in engineering from California Institute of Technology; and a doctorate in nuclear science and engineering from RPI in 1966. He then took a postdoctoral year at l'École Normale Supérieure in Paris. He learned to speak fluent French and returned often to the country.

Before joining the Penn faculty, Dr. Fischer headed the semiconductor physics group at Michelson Lab in China Lake, Calif.

He and his wife, Linda Mammano Fischer, met on a blind date in Troy, N.Y., and married in 1963. They were active members of the Friends of Music and Dance at Swarthmore College and were subscribers to the Philadelphia Orchestra.

In addition to his wife, Dr. Fischer is survived by sons John and Jason; a daughter, Ruth; a sister, and two grandchildren.

A graveside gathering will be at 11 a.m. Saturday, July 9, at Edgewood Memorial Park, 325 Baltimore Pike, Glen Mills.

Donations may be made to the Polycystic Kidney Disease Foundation at www.pkdcure.org/jackfischer or mailed to 8330 Ward Parkway, Suite 510, Kansas City, Mo. 64114.