Otto Hahn

Otto Hahn was born on March 8, 1879, in Frankfurt am Main, Germany. He was a German chemist who pioneered in the fields of radioactivity and radiochemistry. Hahn is considered one of the most influential chemists of the 20th century and has been called the father of nuclear chemistry. His work in discovering nuclear fission, alongside Lise Meitner, laid the foundation for the development of nuclear energy and atomic science.

In 1921, Otto Hahn became the director of the Department of Chemistry at the Kaiser Wilhelm Institute for Chemistry in Berlin. During his tenure, he conducted significant research in the field of radioactivity and the discovery of new radioactive isotopes. Under his directorship, the institute became a center for excellence in chemistry research, attracting many talented scientists and facilitating groundbreaking experiments that furthered scientific understanding of atomic science.

On December 17, 1938, Otto Hahn, along with Fritz Strassmann, conducted experiments that led to the discovery of nuclear fission, a process where the nucleus of an atom splits into smaller parts. This discovery was made while working with uranium and was noted to produce barium as a byproduct, which was unexpected. This monumental discovery was key in the development of nuclear energy and significantly impacted the course of history in the 20th century.

Otto Hahn was awarded the Nobel Prize in Chemistry in 1944 for his discovery of nuclear fission of heavy nuclei, an achievement realized through his exceptional work with Fritz Strassmann. Despite the circumstances of World War II, in which the presentation of the prize was delayed, the award recognized Hahn's groundbreaking work which laid the foundation for the atomic age, including the development of nuclear power and atomic weapons.

Otto Hahn passed away on July 28, 1968, in Göttingen, West Germany. Throughout his life, Hahn was well-regarded for his scientific achievements, especially the discovery of nuclear fission. His contributions have had a lasting impact on the field of chemistry and nuclear physics. He was also an advocate for the peaceful use of nuclear energy following the destructive use of atomic bombs in World War II.