Ronald F. Probstein facts for kids

Ronald F. Probstein (born March 11, 1928 – died September 19, 2021) was a brilliant engineer and professor. He taught at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT). He made important discoveries in many fields. These included how spacecraft re-enter Earth's atmosphere and how to make fresh water from salty water. He also studied comets and new types of fuel.

Early Life and Education

Ronald F. Probstein was born in New York City on March 11, 1928. He went to Stuyvesant High School. He studied engineering at night school while working during the day. In 1952, he earned the first Ph.D. from the Aeronautical Engineering department at Princeton University.

Career at Brown and MIT

In 1954, Probstein started working at Brown University. He had a joint role in Applied Mathematics and Engineering. Two years later, he became a tenured professor. In 1962, he moved to MIT as a Professor of Mechanical Engineering. He stayed at MIT until he retired in 1996. He became a Ford Professor of Engineering Emeritus.

Key Engineering Discoveries

Probstein's work helped solve many complex problems. He wrote a key book called Hypersonic Inviscid Flow. This book is still used today to understand how things fly very fast.

Spacecraft and Missile Design

Probstein used his theories to help design early American spacecraft. He also worked on ballistic missiles. His work helped these vehicles re-enter Earth's atmosphere safely. Without his ideas, they might have burned up from the extreme heat of high speeds.

Understanding Comets

In the late 1960s, Probstein developed a theory about comets. He predicted why comets sometimes have fan-shaped tails. These tails are made of dust that follows the comet.

Water Purification and Desalination

In the early 1970s, Probstein started focusing on water. He worked on ways to remove salt from ocean water. This process is called desalination. He also studied how to clean up water that was polluted.

Developing New Fuels

In 1982, he co-wrote a book called Synthetic Fuels. This book explained how to make fuels that could replace natural ones. It was the first book to bring all these ideas together. It is still the only book that covers the basic science of making new fuels.

Cleaning Up Soil

In the 1990s, Probstein introduced a new way to clean up dirty soil. This method is called electrokinetic soil remediation. It uses electricity to remove harmful substances from the ground. His method was patented and is now used and studied around the world. He explained the science behind it in his book, Physicochemical Hydrodynamics: An Introduction. This field studies how liquids move and interact with physical and chemical processes.

Other Works and Recognition

In 2009, Probstein wrote a book for everyone to read. It was called Honest Sid: Memoir of a Gambling Man. The book tells stories about his father's adventures. It is set in Depression-era New York City.

Probstein received many honors for his work. He was elected to important groups like the United States National Academy of Sciences. He also received an honorary doctorate degree from Brown University. He earned many awards, including a Guggenheim Fellowship.

Ronald F. Probstein passed away on September 19, 2021, at the age of 93.