Irving Langmuir

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Irving Langmuir

Irving Langmuir, American chemist and physicist

Born	January 31, 1881
Birth place	Brooklyn, New York, United States
Died	August 16, 1957
Place of death	Falmouth, Massachusetts, United States
Nationality	American
Known for	Surface chemistry, Langmuir isotherm, Langmuir waves
Awards	Nobel Prize in Chemistry (1932)

Irving Langmuir (January 31, 1881 – August 16, 1957) was an American chemist and physicist who made significant contributions to the field of surface chemistry. He was awarded the Nobel Prize in Chemistry in 1932 for his work in surface chemistry, particularly for his investigations of adsorption phenomena.

Early Life and Education

Langmuir was born in Brooklyn, New York, and was the third of four sons of Charles Langmuir and Sadie Comings. He attended Columbia University, where he earned his Bachelor of Science degree in metallurgical engineering in 1903. He then pursued further studies at the University of Göttingen in Germany, where he received his Ph.D. in 1906 under the supervision of Walther Nernst.

Career and Research

Langmuir joined the General Electric Research Laboratory in Schenectady, New York, in 1909, where he spent the majority of his career. His research at General Electric led to numerous innovations and discoveries.

Surface Chemistry

Langmuir's most notable work was in the field of surface chemistry. He developed the concept of the Langmuir isotherm, which describes the adsorption of molecules on solid surfaces. This work laid the foundation for the modern understanding of catalysis and surface reactions.

Plasma Physics

Langmuir also made significant contributions to plasma physics. He introduced the term "plasma" to describe ionized gases and studied Langmuir waves, which are oscillations in the electron density of a plasma.

Other Contributions

Langmuir's work extended to various other fields, including thermodynamics, chemical kinetics, and cloud seeding. He was involved in the development of the tungsten filament for light bulbs, which greatly improved their efficiency and lifespan.

Awards and Honors

In addition to the Nobel Prize in Chemistry in 1932, Langmuir received numerous other awards and honors throughout his career. He was elected to the National Academy of Sciences and was a member of several other prestigious scientific organizations.

Personal Life

Langmuir married Marion Mersereau in 1912, and they had two children. He was known for his curiosity and enthusiasm for science, as well as his ability to communicate complex ideas clearly.

Legacy

Langmuir's work has had a lasting impact on the fields of chemistry and physics. The Langmuir Laboratory for Atmospheric Research in New Mexico is named in his honor, reflecting his contributions to the study of atmospheric phenomena.

Also see

• Surface chemistry
• Langmuir isotherm
• Plasma physics
• Nobel Prize in Chemistry
• General Electric