Carl Auer von Welsbach: Chemist, Inventor, Entrepreneur

Description

This Brief documents the life, discoveries and inventions of the chemist Carl Auer von Welsbach. Particular attention is given to his pioneering work on the rare earth elements, including the discovery of four new elements, which allowed him to develop new materials, to invent new useful devices and to establish major industries. From the invention of the incandescent gas mantle and first electric incandescent lamps with metal filaments to the first mass production of radium from pitchblende residues, readers will learn the story of his notable legacy to the word through the lens of his rare earths knowledge. Front Matter ....Pages i-ix Family Heritage (Roland Adunka, Mary Virginia Orna)....Pages 1-7 Childhood, Early Education, and Beyond (Roland Adunka, Mary Virginia Orna)....Pages 8-16 Discoveries Among the Rare Earths (Roland Adunka, Mary Virginia Orna)....Pages 17-34 Didymium’s Twilight and Two New “Stars” (Roland Adunka, Mary Virginia Orna)....Pages 35-56 Plus Lucis (Roland Adunka, Mary Virginia Orna)....Pages 57-80 New Perspectives (Roland Adunka, Mary Virginia Orna)....Pages 81-98 Entrepreneurship, Innovation, Patents and Products (Roland Adunka, Mary Virginia Orna)....Pages 99-113 A Life for Research, Family, and Community (Roland Adunka, Mary Virginia Orna)....Pages 114-125 Legacy of Carl Auer Von Welsbach (Roland Adunka, Mary Virginia Orna)....Pages 126-131 Back Matter ....Pages 132-140