pH

What is the connection between the 1920 Noble Prize Winner for Chemistry, the 1921 Noble Prize Winner for Physics, the development of microware radar and the Manhattan Project (which lead to the development of the atomic bomb)?

pH. I kid you not.

pH measurements are based on the Nernst Equation, developed by Dr. Hermann Nernst, the 1920 Noble Prize Winner for Chemistry. The later Nernst-Einstein Equation (Dr. Albert Einstein was the 1921 Noble Prize Winner for Physics) describes ion diffusion and mobility. The control knob of the original pH meter, designed by Dr. Orville Beckman, evolved into the Helipot (short for helical potentiometer), which was used by the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) to develop microware radar for military use. The principle of signal amplification lead to the development of micro-microammeter (which measures current and is calibrated to indicate the intensity of light, which later lead to the development of a dosimeter, which was used to measure the amount of radiation produced during the Manhattan Project.

Well, I'm impressed, but then that's just me.

This week, we'll look at pH.

TTFN, Fred.

Quote of the week: "Above all things, never be afraid. The enemy who forces you to retreat is himself afraid of you at that very moment. " - Andre Maurois (French author, 1885 - 1967)

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pH