There are numerous scientists who have positively impacted the field of Chemistry; from Robert Bunsen to George Washington Carver, chemists have and continue to shape the publics knowledge of Chemistry. However, one chemist stands out from all the rest because of his historical, societal, and person significance: George Claude Pimentel. Pimentel’s life, work, and contribution to Chemistry have shaped this field and impacted it in ways that other scientists have not.
Background
George Claude Pimentel was born on May 02, 1922 in Rolinda, California. Pimentel grew up with a love for science and knew as a young boy that he wanted to learn as much as he could about the subject. In 1943, Pimentel earned his Bachelor of Arts degree from the University of California at Los Angeles (UCLA) (Bancroft Library Staff, 2010). After graduation, Pimentel worked on the Manhattan Project at UC Berkley as well as with the Navy. He then returned to UC Berkeley to complete his graduate work and earned his PhD in 1949. George Claude Pimentel became part of the faculty at Berkeley and achieved the rank of professor after ten years. Dr. Pimentel served as the head of the Chemistry department at Berkeley from 1966 to 1968. After a battle with cancer, Dr. Pimentel died on June 18, 1989 in Kensington, California (General Chemicals, n.d.). Pimentel’s Work While Pimentel was knowledgeable in many aspects of Chemistry, his main focuses in the field were infrared spectroscopy, chemical lasers, molecular structure, free radicals, and hydrogen bonding. Pimentel impacted the subject of Chemistry because of his invention of the chemical laser, his modern technique of matrix isolation in low-temperature chemistry, and his three-center four-electron bond model. Pimentel’s chemical laser works on energy obtained by chemical reactions; these lasers can have a continuous wave output and are high powered, sometimes reaching megawatt levels. The most common uses for the chemical laser are cutting and drilling (General Chemicals, n.d.). Another one of Pimentel’s major contributions to the field of Chemistry was his “development and exploitation of the matrix isolation method for the spectroscopic detection of unstable molecules;” this method led to the discovery of highly reactive molecules that scientists would not have been able to identify under other circumstances (Bancroft Library Staff, 2010). Dr. Pimentel was adamant about sharing his love and knowledge of chemistry with the public which lead to him writing and publishing numerous books and journal articles. Some of his most …show more content…
Pimentel’s perceived duty to society of educating them about the advances in chemistry allowed him to impact a vast range of people during his life and even after his death.
Pimentel also has made a personal impact. His knowledge and love of chemistry motivates many students, those who were his students as well as students that did not/do not know him, to do well in chemistry and find passion for the subject. Pimentel also teaches students that a little knowledge and hard work can impact the world of science which is also a motivator to do well.
Of all the chemists to impact this field of science, George Claude Pimentel has made one of the greatest impacts. Through his life, work, and contribution to chemistry, Pimentel has become significant in the lives of many as well as impacted the field of chemistry in ways that no one else could have
Background
George Claude Pimentel was born on May 02, 1922 in Rolinda, California. Pimentel grew up with a love for science and knew as a young boy that he wanted to learn as much as he could about the subject. In 1943, Pimentel earned his Bachelor of Arts degree from the University of California at Los Angeles (UCLA) (Bancroft Library Staff, 2010). After graduation, Pimentel worked on the Manhattan Project at UC Berkley as well as with the Navy. He then returned to UC Berkeley to complete his graduate work and earned his PhD in 1949. George Claude Pimentel became part of the faculty at Berkeley and achieved the rank of professor after ten years. Dr. Pimentel served as the head of the Chemistry department at Berkeley from 1966 to 1968. After a battle with cancer, Dr. Pimentel died on June 18, 1989 in Kensington, California (General Chemicals, n.d.). Pimentel’s Work While Pimentel was knowledgeable in many aspects of Chemistry, his main focuses in the field were infrared spectroscopy, chemical lasers, molecular structure, free radicals, and hydrogen bonding. Pimentel impacted the subject of Chemistry because of his invention of the chemical laser, his modern technique of matrix isolation in low-temperature chemistry, and his three-center four-electron bond model. Pimentel’s chemical laser works on energy obtained by chemical reactions; these lasers can have a continuous wave output and are high powered, sometimes reaching megawatt levels. The most common uses for the chemical laser are cutting and drilling (General Chemicals, n.d.). Another one of Pimentel’s major contributions to the field of Chemistry was his “development and exploitation of the matrix isolation method for the spectroscopic detection of unstable molecules;” this method led to the discovery of highly reactive molecules that scientists would not have been able to identify under other circumstances (Bancroft Library Staff, 2010). Dr. Pimentel was adamant about sharing his love and knowledge of chemistry with the public which lead to him writing and publishing numerous books and journal articles. Some of his most …show more content…
Pimentel’s perceived duty to society of educating them about the advances in chemistry allowed him to impact a vast range of people during his life and even after his death.
Pimentel also has made a personal impact. His knowledge and love of chemistry motivates many students, those who were his students as well as students that did not/do not know him, to do well in chemistry and find passion for the subject. Pimentel also teaches students that a little knowledge and hard work can impact the world of science which is also a motivator to do well.
Of all the chemists to impact this field of science, George Claude Pimentel has made one of the greatest impacts. Through his life, work, and contribution to chemistry, Pimentel has become significant in the lives of many as well as impacted the field of chemistry in ways that no one else could have