Jesse Beams
Encyclopedia
Jesse Wakefield Beams was an American
physicist at the University of Virginia
.
Beams completed his undergraduate B.A. in physics at Fairmount College in 1921 and his master's degree the next year at the University of Wisconsin–Madison
. He spent most of his academic career at the University of Virginia, where he received his Ph.D. in physics in 1925. He spent the next three years in a physics fellowship at Yale University
, where he performed research on the photoelectric effect
with Ernest Lawrence
. Beams was appointed a professor of physics at the University of Virginia in 1929. During World War II, he worked on the Manhattan Project
, where his ultracentrifuge was used to demonstrate the separation of the uranium isotope U-235 from other isotopes. Officials in charge of the atomic bomb project concluded, however, that Beams's centrifuges were not as likely as other methods to produce enough highly enriched uranium for a bomb in the time available, and the centrifuge program was abandoned. After World War II, centrifuge separation of uranium isotopes was perfected by German scientists and engineers working in the Soviet Union. In 1953 Beams was appointed the Francis H. Smith Professor of Physics at the University of Virginia. Beams was awarded the National Medal of Science
in 1967 for his work on the ultracentrifuge. He retired from the University in 1969.
Beams' contributions include the first linear electron accelerator, the magnetic ultracentrifuge, and the application of the ultracentrifuge to the separation of isotopes and to the separation of viruses from liquids. He held many patents in magnetic bearing
s and ultracentrifuges. In addition to the National Science Medal, he was awarded the American Physical Society
's John Scott Medal, the Lewis Prize of the American Philosophical Society
, and the University of
Virginia's first annual Thomas Jefferson Award.
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
physicist at the University of Virginia
University of Virginia
The University of Virginia is a public research university located in Charlottesville, Virginia, United States, founded by Thomas Jefferson...
.
Beams completed his undergraduate B.A. in physics at Fairmount College in 1921 and his master's degree the next year at the University of Wisconsin–Madison
University of Wisconsin–Madison
The University of Wisconsin–Madison is a public research university located in Madison, Wisconsin, United States. Founded in 1848, UW–Madison is the flagship campus of the University of Wisconsin System. It became a land-grant institution in 1866...
. He spent most of his academic career at the University of Virginia, where he received his Ph.D. in physics in 1925. He spent the next three years in a physics fellowship at Yale University
Yale University
Yale University is a private, Ivy League university located in New Haven, Connecticut, United States. Founded in 1701 in the Colony of Connecticut, the university is the third-oldest institution of higher education in the United States...
, where he performed research on the photoelectric effect
Photoelectric effect
In the photoelectric effect, electrons are emitted from matter as a consequence of their absorption of energy from electromagnetic radiation of very short wavelength, such as visible or ultraviolet light. Electrons emitted in this manner may be referred to as photoelectrons...
with Ernest Lawrence
Ernest Lawrence
Ernest Orlando Lawrence was an American physicist and Nobel Laureate, known for his invention, utilization, and improvement of the cyclotron atom-smasher beginning in 1929, based on his studies of the works of Rolf Widerøe, and his later work in uranium-isotope separation for the Manhattan Project...
. Beams was appointed a professor of physics at the University of Virginia in 1929. During World War II, he worked on the Manhattan Project
Manhattan Project
The Manhattan Project was a research and development program, led by the United States with participation from the United Kingdom and Canada, that produced the first atomic bomb during World War II. From 1942 to 1946, the project was under the direction of Major General Leslie Groves of the US Army...
, where his ultracentrifuge was used to demonstrate the separation of the uranium isotope U-235 from other isotopes. Officials in charge of the atomic bomb project concluded, however, that Beams's centrifuges were not as likely as other methods to produce enough highly enriched uranium for a bomb in the time available, and the centrifuge program was abandoned. After World War II, centrifuge separation of uranium isotopes was perfected by German scientists and engineers working in the Soviet Union. In 1953 Beams was appointed the Francis H. Smith Professor of Physics at the University of Virginia. Beams was awarded the National Medal of Science
National Medal of Science
The National Medal of Science is an honor bestowed by the President of the United States to individuals in science and engineering who have made important contributions to the advancement of knowledge in the fields of behavioral and social sciences, biology, chemistry, engineering, mathematics and...
in 1967 for his work on the ultracentrifuge. He retired from the University in 1969.
Beams' contributions include the first linear electron accelerator, the magnetic ultracentrifuge, and the application of the ultracentrifuge to the separation of isotopes and to the separation of viruses from liquids. He held many patents in magnetic bearing
Magnetic bearing
A magnetic bearing is a bearing which supports a load using magnetic levitation. Magnetic bearings support moving machinery without physical contact; for example, they can levitate a rotating shaft and permit relative motion with very low friction and no mechanical wear...
s and ultracentrifuges. In addition to the National Science Medal, he was awarded the American Physical Society
American Physical Society
The American Physical Society is the world's second largest organization of physicists, behind the Deutsche Physikalische Gesellschaft. The Society publishes more than a dozen scientific journals, including the world renowned Physical Review and Physical Review Letters, and organizes more than 20...
's John Scott Medal, the Lewis Prize of the American Philosophical Society
American Philosophical Society
The American Philosophical Society, founded in 1743, and located in Philadelphia, Pa., is an eminent scholarly organization of international reputation, that promotes useful knowledge in the sciences and humanities through excellence in scholarly research, professional meetings, publications,...
, and the University of
Virginia's first annual Thomas Jefferson Award.
Patents
| Inventor(s) | Year | Patent No. | Invention Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| Trotter, Woodstock, Beams | 1935 | Air Conditioning | |
| Beams, Holmes | 1941 | Suspension of Rotatable Bodies | |
| Masket, Snoddy, Beams | 1949 | Projectile Testing Machine | |
| Beams | 1950 | Method and Apparatus for Separating Fluids by Thermal Diffusion | |
| Beams | 1950 | Valve | |
| Beams, Snoddy, Hoxton | 1950 | Thermal Flowmeter | |
| Beams, Morton | 1954 | Transmission Line Kerr Cell | |
| Beams | 1954 | Magnetically Supported Rotating Bodies | |
| Beams, Snoddy | 1956 | High Altitude Burner Simulator | |
| Beams, Snoddy | 1960 | Centrifuges | |
| Beams | 1962 | Apparatus for Rotating Freely Suspended Bodies | |
| Beams | 1962 | High Vacuum Pump System | |
| Beams | 1965 | Magnetic Suspension System | |
| Goss, Porter, Roberts, Tuve, Beams, Selvidge | 1975 | Guided Missile |
Publications
- Beams, J. and Haynes, F., The Separation of Isotopes by Centrifuging, (Sept 1936) Phys. Rev., vol. 50, Issue 5, pp. 491-492.
- Beams, J., Production and Use of High Centrifugal Fields, (1954) Science, vol. 120, Issue 3121, pp. 619-625.