Bill Johnson (scientist) facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Bill Johnson
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William Johnson
20 April 1922 Openshaw, Manchester, England
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| Died | 13 June 2010 (aged 88) |
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| Institutions | University of Cambridge |
William Johnson (born April 20, 1922 – died June 13, 2010) was a smart British engineer and teacher. He was also a research scientist and a professor at the University of Cambridge. He taught about Mechanics, which is the study of how things move and how forces affect them.
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Who Was Bill Johnson?
Bill Johnson was born in Openshaw, Manchester, England. He grew up to become a very important person in the world of engineering. He spent many years teaching and doing research at the famous University of Cambridge.
A Professor of Mechanics
As a professor, Bill Johnson helped many students learn about how different materials behave. He was especially interested in metals. He wanted to understand how metals could be shaped and changed without breaking.
Shaping Metals: His Big Idea
Bill Johnson was known for his deep studies into how metals can be formed. This is called "metal forming." Think about how a blacksmith hammers hot metal into a sword. That's a type of metal forming!
Understanding Metal Flow
Johnson looked closely at how metals flow and change shape. He studied processes like:
- Extrusion: Pushing metal through a shaped hole, like squeezing toothpaste. This makes long rods or wires.
- Forging: Hammering or pressing metal into a shape, often when it's hot.
- Deep-drawing: Making cup-like shapes from flat metal sheets.
- Blanking: Cutting out shapes from a metal sheet, like using a cookie cutter.
- Machining: Using tools to cut away parts of metal to make a specific shape.
He used both experiments and math to figure out how these processes worked best.
Exciting New Ways to Shape Metal
Bill Johnson also explored some very new and exciting ways to shape metals. He wasn't afraid to try difficult or unusual methods.
Using Explosions and Energy
He looked into "explosive forming" and "explosive cutting." This involves using controlled, small explosions to quickly shape or cut metal. It sounds dangerous, but it's done very carefully in special labs.
He also explored other cool ideas, such as:
- Ring-rolling: Making metal rings, like for bearings.
- Rotary forging: Shaping metal by spinning it.
- Bubble-casting: A special way to make metal parts using bubbles.
- Electro-magnetic shaping: Using strong magnetic forces to shape metal.
- Energy-absorption devices: Creating materials or structures that can soak up energy from impacts, like in car bumpers.
His Impact and Awards
Bill Johnson was a very respected scientist. He wrote over 230 papers and five books about his work. These helped engineers all over the world.
Helping Others Learn
He was also the first editor of an important science magazine called the International Journal of Mechanical Sciences. He also advised many companies and government groups. He was a great leader who inspired many young engineers.
Recognized for His Work
For all his amazing contributions, Bill Johnson received several important awards:
- He became a Fellow of the Royal Society (FRS) in 1982. This is a very high honor for scientists in the UK.
- He was also a Fellow of the Royal Academy of Engineering (FREng). This shows his excellence in engineering.
