Ernest Solvay facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Ernest Solvay
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Ernest Solvay (c. 1900)
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| Born | 16 April 1838 |
| Died | 26 May 1922 (aged 84) Ixelles, Brussels, Belgium
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| Nationality | Belgian |
| Known for | ammonia-soda process |
| Scientific career | |
| Fields | chemistry |
Ernest Gaston Joseph Solvay (16 April 1838 – 26 May 1922) was a Belgian chemist, industrialist, and philanthropist. He is best known for inventing the Solvay process, a new way to make an important chemical called soda ash.
Contents
Ernest Solvay's Early Life
Ernest Solvay was born in Rebecq, a town in Belgium. When he was young, he got very sick with a lung illness called pleurisy. Because of this, he couldn't go to university. Instead, when he was 21, he started working in his uncle's chemical factory. This is where he began his journey in chemistry.
The Solvay Process: A Big Invention
How Soda Ash is Made
In 1861, Ernest and his brother Alfred Solvay created a new method for making soda ash. Soda ash is a very important chemical used in many things, like making glass, soap, and detergents. Their new method was called the ammonia-soda process. It was much better than older ways of making soda ash.
The Solvay process used two main ingredients:
- Brine: This is just salty water, which gives them sodium chloride.
- Limestone: This rock provides calcium carbonate.
Patenting the Process
Ernest worked hard to make his new process even better. By 1872, he had perfected it and received a patent. A patent is like a special permission that gives someone the right to be the only one to make or sell an invention for a certain time. This meant only Ernest Solvay could use his new method.
Building a Chemical Empire
Ernest Solvay founded his own company, Solvay & Cie. In 1863, he opened his first factory in Couillet, Belgium. Because his process was so good, his company quickly grew. Soon, Solvay process factories were built all over the world, including in the United Kingdom, the United States, Russia, Germany, and Austria. Even today, about 70 Solvay process plants are still working around the globe!
Ernest Solvay's Philanthropy
Ernest Solvay became very wealthy from his inventions and factories. But he didn't keep all his money for himself. He used a lot of it for philanthropic purposes. This means he gave money to help others and improve society.
Supporting Science and Education
He loved science and learning. Here are some of the things he helped create:
- Institute for Sociology: In 1894, he helped start this institute at the Free University of Brussels.
- International Institutes for Physics and Chemistry: He also set up these institutes to support research in science.
- Solvay Business School: In 1903, he founded this school, which is also part of the Free University of Brussels.
The Famous Solvay Conferences
One of his most famous contributions was starting the Solvay Conferences in 1911. These were special meetings where the world's top scientists came together to discuss big ideas in physics and chemistry. Imagine a meeting with these brilliant minds:
- Max Planck
- Ernest Rutherford
- Maria Skłodowska-Curie
- Henri Poincaré
- Albert Einstein (who was only 32 at the first conference!)
Later conferences included other famous scientists like Niels Bohr, Werner Heisenberg, Max Born, and Erwin Schrödinger. These conferences were very important for the progress of science.
Later Life and Legacy
Ernest Solvay was also involved in politics. He was elected to the Belgian Senate twice. Near the end of his life, he was given the special title of Minister of State.
Two towns are named after him: Solvay, New York in the United States and Rosignano Solvay in Italy. These were places where his first factories in those countries were built.
Ernest Solvay passed away in Ixelles, Belgium, when he was 84 years old. He is buried in the Ixelles Cemetery.
Honours
Ernest Solvay received several important awards and titles for his work and contributions:
- 1918: He was made a Minister of State by the King of Belgium.
- 21 November 1918: He received the Grand Cordon in the Order of Leopold, which is a very high honor in Belgium.
- 7 November 1919: He was awarded the Grand Cordon in the Legion of Honour from France, another very important award.
See also
- Solvay Institute of Sociology
- Emile Waxweiler
- Solvay Hut
Images for kids
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The portrait of participants to the first Solvay Conference in 1911. Ernest Solvay is the third seated from the left. Solvay was not present at the time the photo was taken, so his photo was cut and pasted onto this one for the official release
