John D. Roberts: In His Own Words and Those of His Friends

In honor of the 97th birthday of Professor John D. Roberts, the author has assembled a collection of poignant quotes and anecdotes, mostly written by Roberts himself, which embody his philosophies of life and his wide‐ranging experiences and interests. A brief summary of Roberts’s major scientific accomplishments is also presented.     

William Henry: His Achievements and His Law

Henry is well-known name to all students of physical chemistry. Despite physical handicaps resulting from a childhood accident, he went on to a brilliant career in chemistry and medicine. The extensive and careful measurements that he made of the solubility of gases have given us the law that carries his name. Not many are familiar with his work on the steam sterilization of fabrics and other materials used as a medical tool to avoid spreading disease. He also did the basic work that proved that carbon is an element and not a compound.     

Professor Cristofor I. Simionescu on His 70th Birthday

Professor Cristofor I. Simionescu was born on July 17, 1920, in Dumbraveni-Suceava. His father was a high school teacher, and young Simionescu went to elementary school in his home town. After completing elementary school he went to Jassy and attended the prestigious “National Lyceum,” the roots of which stem from the “Michailean Academy.” He then began studies at the Polytechnic Institute of Jassy at the Faculty of Chemical Engineering. As a young student he was known for his enthusiasm and was recognized as an excellent young scientist. In 1944 Cristofor Simionescu graduated mugna cum lade from the Polytechnic Institute in Jassy. He obtained his first scientific degree in organic technology, i.e., Doctor of Technical Sciences, in 1948, and became Associate Professor at the Polytechnic Institute. In 1951 he was promoted to Full Professor and was appointed to the Chair of Natural and Synthetic Macromolecules. From 1953 until 1976 Professor Simionescu was Rector of the Polytechnic Institute of Jassy.     

Avogadro and His Constant

An account is given of the historical development of Avogadro's hypothesis, and of the principal methods of determining Avogadro's constant which have been used over the past 200 years. These include the kinetic theory of gases, Brownian motion, measurement of the electron charge, black‐body radiation, alpha particle emission, and X‐ray measurements.     

Special Issue Dedicated to Professor William H. Watson on His 70th Birthday

Structural Chemistry -     

法拉第与化学

我们缅怀法拉第,不仅因为他的发现引起了物理学革命和电气化时代的到来,同时他在化学领域里也做出了许多不可磨灭的重要贡献。