Hermann Sprengel
Encyclopedia
Hermann Sprengel FRS (29 August 1834 – 14 January 1906) was a German chemist
who discovered the explosive nature of picric acid
in 1873. He also invented a generic class of materials called Sprengel explosive
s. In addition, Sprengel is remembered for inventing a very robust and continuously operable device called the Sprengel Pump
which could reduce the amount of air in a chamber to one-millionth of its volume paving the way for the filament light bulb
.
Sprengel earned his degree at the university at Heidelberg in 1858, and moved to England in the following year. His scientific work was done largely in Oxford and London.
Chemist
A chemist is a scientist trained in the study of chemistry. Chemists study the composition of matter and its properties such as density and acidity. Chemists carefully describe the properties they study in terms of quantities, with detail on the level of molecules and their component atoms...
who discovered the explosive nature of picric acid
Picric acid
Picric acid is the chemical compound formally called 2,4,6-trinitrophenol . This yellow crystalline solid is one of the most acidic phenols. Like other highly nitrated compounds such as TNT, picric acid is an explosive...
in 1873. He also invented a generic class of materials called Sprengel explosive
Sprengel explosive
Sprengel explosives are a generic class of materials invented by Hermann Sprengel in the 1870s. They consist of stoichiometric mixtures of strong oxidisers and reactive fuels, mixed just prior to use in order to enhance safety...
s. In addition, Sprengel is remembered for inventing a very robust and continuously operable device called the Sprengel Pump
Sprengel pump
The Sprengel pump is a vacuum pump invented by Hanover-born chemist Hermann Sprengel in 1865 while he was working in London. The pump created the highest vacuum achievable at that time....
which could reduce the amount of air in a chamber to one-millionth of its volume paving the way for the filament light bulb
Incandescent light bulb
The incandescent light bulb, incandescent lamp or incandescent light globe makes light by heating a metal filament wire to a high temperature until it glows. The hot filament is protected from air by a glass bulb that is filled with inert gas or evacuated. In a halogen lamp, a chemical process...
.
Sprengel earned his degree at the university at Heidelberg in 1858, and moved to England in the following year. His scientific work was done largely in Oxford and London.