As a boy, James Hillier thought he would like to be a commercial artist. Instead, he turned out to have a talent for mathematics and physics, and won a science scholarship to the University of Toronto. There, he and fellow student Albert Prebus invented the world's first practical electron microscope. <Tab/>Electron microscopes work by focusing a beam of electrons, rather than a beam of light. The wavelength of electrons is …showed first 75 words of 258 total…

…showed last 75 words of 258 total…Hillier devoted himself to promoting science education. He now gives talks to high school students about careers in science. Because he would never have been able to go to university without scholarships, he established the James Hillier Foundation, which awards scholarships to promising science students in his hometown of Brantford. The foundation supports 10 science students in their pursuit of university education with $5,000 annually. His work has brought him many honors, including the Order of Canada .