Hannes Alfven; UC San Diego Physicist Won Nobel Prize

Hannes Alfven, 86, a UC San Diego professor who won the Nobel Prize for physics in 1970. Alfven, a native of Sweden, joined the San Diego faculty in 1967 as a professor of electrical and computer engineering. He won the Nobel for his work in plasma physics, the study of charged particles that represent 99% of all matter in the universe. His field of expertise was the study of how electrical currents affect plasma, which can be found in the hearts of stars and interstellar clouds. His work created a better understanding of the nature of stars and the solar system. Alfven also challenged the Big Bang theory, arguing that the universe did not begin in a cosmic boom 20 billion years ago. Instead, he said the universe has always existed and probably always will. Alfven maintained homes in San Diego and Stockholm. On Sunday in Stockholm.