Arthur R. von Hippel facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Arthur R. von Hippel
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| Born | November 19, 1898 Rostock, Germany
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| Died | December 31, 2003 (aged 105) Boston, Massachusetts, U.S.
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| Nationality | German |
| Citizenship | American |
| Alma mater | University of Göttingen |
| Known for | Codeveloping radar during World War II Discovering the ferroelectric and piezoelectric properties of barium titanate |
| Awards | President's Certificate of Merit |
| Scientific career | |
| Fields | Physics |
| Institutions | Niels Bohr Institute, MIT |
| Thesis | Thermo-Mikrophone (1924) |
| Doctoral advisor | James Franck |
| Doctoral students | Jay Last |
| Notes | |
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His uncle, Eugen von Hippel described the ophthalmic hemangiomata that are part of von Hippel–Lindau disease, which bears his name.
His son, Eric von Hippel, is an MIT economist. |
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Arthur Robert von Hippel (born November 19, 1898 – died December 31, 2003) was a brilliant German American scientist. He was a materials scientist and physicist. Von Hippel was a pioneer in studying special materials. These include dielectrics, ferromagnetic and ferroelectric materials, and semiconductors. He also helped create radar during World War II.
Contents
Early Life and Education
Arthur von Hippel was born in Rostock, Germany, on November 19, 1898. He loved science from a young age. He went to the University of Göttingen to study physics. There, he learned from many famous teachers. Some of them were even Nobel Prize winners!
In 1924, he earned his Ph.D. in physics. His advisor was James Franck, who also won a Nobel Prize. Later, James Franck became Arthur's father-in-law.
Moving for Science
In 1933, the Nazis came to power in Germany. Arthur von Hippel decided to leave his home country. This was partly because of his political views. Also, his wife was Jewish, and they faced danger.
In 1934, he found a job at a university in Istanbul, Turkey. After that, he spent a year in Denmark. He worked at the famous Niels Bohr Institute in Copenhagen.
In 1936, he moved to the United States. He joined the MIT as a professor. At MIT, he studied how electricity behaves in gases.
Amazing Discoveries and War Work
In 1940, Arthur von Hippel started the Laboratory for Insulation Research. This lab became very important for studying materials.
During World War II, he and his team helped develop radar technology. Radar was crucial for finding planes and ships. For his important work, he received the President's Certificate of Merit in 1948. This award came from U.S. President Harry Truman.
He also became famous for discovering new properties of barium titanate. This material has special ferroelectric and piezoelectric qualities. This means it can change its electrical state when a force is applied. Or it can create electricity when squeezed.
After the war, his lab's research on dielectrics was made public. In 1954, he published a book called Dielectrics and Waves. He also put together another book with 22 other scientists.
Arthur von Hippel had a big idea called "molecular engineering." This means designing materials with specific properties. You can even use small flaws in materials to make them better! He wrote about this idea in 1956.
Today, a top award from the Materials Research Society is named in his honor.
Later Life
Arthur von Hippel lived a very long life. He passed away in 2003 at 105 years old.
His son, Frank N. von Hippel, is a physicist and professor. Another son, Eric von Hippel, is a professor at MIT. Eric is known for his research on how users create new ideas.
Arthur's uncle, Eugen von Hippel, was also a famous doctor. He described a rare disease that now carries his name, Von Hippel–Lindau disease.
In Historical Fiction
Arthur von Hippel is mentioned in a historical novel. The book is called Without a Country by Ayşe Kulin. It talks about German scientists who moved to Turkey to escape Nazi Germany.
