Albrecht Hofmann facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Albrecht Werner Hofmann
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Hofmann in 2018
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| Born |
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1939 (age 85–86) |
| Alma mater | Brown University (PhD) |
| Awards | Urey Medal (2015) |
| Scientific career | |
| Institutions | Carnegie Institution for Science Max Planck Institute for Chemistry Columbia University |
| Thesis | Hydrothermal experiments on equilibrium partitioning and diffusion kinetics of Rb, Sr, and Na in biotite - alkali chloride solution systems (1969) |
| Doctoral advisor | Bruno Giletti |
Albrecht Werner Hofmann, born in 1939, is a German scientist. He is a geochemist, which means he studies the chemistry of Earth. He is a professor at the Max Planck Institute for Chemistry and also works with Columbia University. He is famous for his important work in geochemistry.
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Studying Earth's Chemistry
Albrecht Hofmann studied geology and geochemistry in Freiburg, Germany. Geology is the study of Earth's rocks and history. Geochemistry looks at the chemical makeup of our planet. He earned his PhD degree from Brown University in the United States between 1962 and 1968. His special research project was about how certain elements move in rocks and solutions.
A Career in Science
After finishing his studies, Dr. Hofmann worked at the Carnegie Institution for Science in Washington, D.C. He was a research fellow from 1971 to 1972. Then, he became a staff scientist there until 1980.
In 1980, he moved back to Germany. He was chosen to lead a new department at the Max Planck Institute for Chemistry. This department focused on geochemistry. Since 2007, he has been an emeritus professor there. This means he is retired but still connected to the institute. He also works as a visiting scientist at Lamont–Doherty Earth Observatory at Columbia University.
Understanding Earth's Mantle
Dr. Hofmann's research helps us understand Earth's mantle. The mantle is the thick layer of rock between the Earth's crust and its core. He studies tiny amounts of elements and different types of atoms (isotopes) found in basalt rocks. Basalts are a common type of volcanic rock.
By studying these rocks, he learns about the mantle's makeup. He discovered that certain patterns of elements can show how old ocean and continental crust are recycled. This means old parts of Earth's surface can sink back into the mantle. His work shows that the mantle's chemical mix is largely shaped by this recycled ocean crust.
Awards and Recognition
Dr. Hofmann has received many important awards for his work. These include the Goldschmidt Medal and the Hess Medal. He also received the Urey Medal in 2015.
In 1999, he became a foreign associate of the National Academy of Sciences in the United States. This is a big honor for scientists. In 2018, he was also elected a Foreign Member of the Royal Society in the United Kingdom.
