Hans Kronberger (physicist) facts for kids

Hans Kronberger was a brilliant British physicist. He was born in Austria on July 28, 1920. He became famous for his important work with the UK Atomic Energy Authority. He helped develop the British thermonuclear bomb and made big advances in nuclear power. He was especially good at something called isotope separation. He passed away on September 29, 1970.

Early Life and Studies

Hans Kronberger was born in Linz, Austria. His parents were Jewish, and his father was a leather merchant. Hans was a very smart student at school. He was excellent in subjects like Math, Latin, Greek, and German.

In 1938, when Nazi Germany took over Austria (this was called the Anschluss), Hans had to leave his home. He fled to Britain with only £10 and his school reports. He worked hard to get into a university. He was accepted at King's College, Newcastle to study mechanical engineering.

In May 1940, after France was taken over, Hans was seen as a "friendly enemy alien." This meant he was from a country at war with Britain but was not considered a threat. He was sent to a camp on the Isle of Man. In July 1940, he was sent to Australia on a ship called HMT Dunera with about 2,500 other refugees. They were treated poorly during the trip.

In Australia, he was held in camps first at Hay and then at Tatura. He was released and returned to Britain in 1942. While in the camps, other refugee scientists helped him learn. This experience made him change his studies to physics when he went back to Newcastle. He graduated in 1944 with a special award called the Stroud Prize in Physics.

Career in Nuclear Science

In 1944, Hans Kronberger moved to Birmingham University. He joined Francis Simon's team in the Tube Alloys Project. This was Britain's secret plan to develop an atomic bomb.

He finished his PhD in 1948, focusing on how to separate isotopes. Isotopes are different forms of the same element. He then moved to the new Atomic Energy Research Establishment at Harwell. There, he continued to work on separating uranium isotopes. He first used a method called gaseous diffusion. Later, he used very fast spinning machines called centrifuges.

In 1951, he moved to Capenhurst, where a large diffusion plant was being built. In just two years, he became the head of the Capenhurst laboratories. In 1958, he became the director of research and development for the industrial group of the United Kingdom Atomic Energy Authority.

In 1952, Britain decided to develop a thermonuclear weapon, also known as a hydrogen bomb. Hans Kronberger's work on separating lithium isotopes was very important for building the first warheads. These were tested at Christmas Island in 1957.

He received many promotions within the UK Atomic Energy Authority. In 1962, he became the Scientist in Chief of the Reactor Group. In 1969, he became the Member for Reactor Development of the UKAEA. Some of his work is still secret today. Many people praised his inspiring leadership. He also worked to promote the peaceful uses of atomic energy. He was part of the Scientific Advisory Committee of the International Atomic Energy Agency. He studied how to remove salt from seawater and gave talks on a process called hydrostatic extrusion.

Personal Life

Hans Kronberger became a British citizen in 1946. In 1951, he married Joan Hanson. She was a scientific assistant at Harwell and had a young son named Paul. Together, Hans and Joan had two daughters, Zoë and Sarah. Sadly, Joan was diagnosed with a brain tumor in 1952 and passed away in 1962.

Hans Kronberger's mother and sister died during World War II. His father survived being held in a concentration camp called Theresienstadt.

Hans was a very talented piano player. He also enjoyed climbing mountains and skiing.