Gerhard Ertl facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Gerhard Ertl
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Ertl in 2007
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| Born | 10 October 1936 Stuttgart-Bad Cannstatt, Baden-Württemberg, Germany
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| Nationality | German |
| Alma mater | University of Stuttgart Technical University of Munich |
| Known for | Surface chemistry |
| Awards | EPS Europhysics Prize (1992) Japan Prize (1992) Wolf Prize in Chemistry (1998) Nobel Prize in Chemistry (2007) Otto Hahn Prize (2007) Faraday Lectureship Prize (2007) |
| Scientific career | |
| Fields | Surface chemistry |
| Institutions | Technical University of Munich Leibniz University Hannover Ludwig Maximilian University of Munich Fritz Haber Institute of the MPG |
| Doctoral advisor | Heinz Gerischer |
| Doctoral students | Martin Wolf |
Gerhard Ertl (born 10 October 1936) is a German physicist. He is a retired professor at the Fritz-Haber-Institut in Berlin, Germany.
Ertl's work helped create modern surface chemistry. This science explains how chemicals react on solid surfaces. His discoveries helped us understand many things. For example, how fuel cells make energy without pollution. Or how catalytic converters clean up car exhaust. His work even explains why iron gets rusty.
His research has helped develop cleaner energy sources. It also guides the creation of new fuel cells. In 2007, he won the Nobel Prize in Chemistry. He received it for his important studies of chemical processes on solid surfaces. The Nobel academy said Ertl gave a clear picture of how these reactions happen. His findings are useful in both science and industry. Surface chemistry can even explain how the ozone layer is damaged. This is because key reactions happen on tiny ice crystals high in the atmosphere.
In 2015, Ertl signed a special declaration about Climate Change. Many other Nobel Prize winners signed it too. They gave it to the French President. This was part of a big meeting about climate change in Paris.
Contents
Gerhard Ertl's Early Life and Education
Gerhard Ertl was born in Stuttgart, Germany. He studied physics from 1955 to 1959. He went to universities in Stuttgart, Paris, and Munich. In 1961, he finished his physics degree in Stuttgart. He then followed his teacher, Heinz Gerischer, to Munich. There, he earned his PhD in 1965.
Ertl's Teaching Career
After getting his PhD, Ertl worked as an assistant and teacher. This was at the Technical University of Munich from 1965 to 1968. From 1968 to 1973, he was a professor in Hannover. Then, he became a professor at the University of Munich. This was from 1973 to 1986. During these years, he also taught as a visiting professor. He visited universities in California and Wisconsin.
In 1986, he became a director at the Fritz Haber Institute of the MPG. He worked there until he retired in 2004. He also became an "Honorary Professor" at several universities in Berlin. These included the Free University of Berlin and Humboldt University.
Ertl's Amazing Discoveries in Chemistry
Gerhard Ertl is famous for figuring out how chemicals react on surfaces. He studied how ammonia is made using iron. This is a very important process called the Haber Bosch process. Ammonia is used to make fertilizers for plants. He also studied how carbon monoxide is cleaned up by platinum. This happens in catalytic converters in cars.
During his research, he found something cool. He saw that reactions on platinum surfaces could happen in waves. He used a special microscope to see these changes. It was the first time anyone could see these waves of reaction.
Ertl always used new ways to observe things. Early in his career, he used low-energy electron diffraction (LEED). Later, he used ultraviolet photoelectron spectroscopy (UPS). He also used the scanning tunneling microscope (STM). These tools helped him make amazing discoveries.
In 1998, he won the Wolf Prize in Chemistry. He shared it with Gabor A. Somorjai. They won for their great work in surface science. They helped explain how chemical reactions happen on solid surfaces.
In 2007, Gerhard Ertl won the Nobel Prize in Chemistry. He won it for his studies of chemical processes on solid surfaces. The award was announced on his 71st birthday. Ertl said he was "speechless" and "not counting on this."
Gerhard Ertl's Personal Life
Gerhard Ertl is married to Barbara. They have two children and several grandchildren. When he is not doing science, he enjoys playing the piano. He also likes to play with his cats. He is a Christian.
See also
In Spanish: Gerhard Ertl para niños
