Orion June 2015 | Page 21

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june 2015

image source

alltheragefaces.com

scarc.library.oregonstate.edu

www.fysik.dtu.dk

santabanta.com

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Scientist of the Month

The scientist of this month is ROBERT S. MULLIKEN! He was born in Newburyport, Massachusetts, on June 7, 1896 under Samuel Parsons Mulliken, Professor of Organic Chemistry. He was always an interest in molecular structure and valence theory. He established a theoretical systematization of the electronic states of molecules, isotopes, and diatomic band spectra. Mulliken also conducted work on electronegativities, valence-state energies, and dipole moments.

Mulliken published a subsequent series of papers on the theoretical interpretation of absolute intensities of electronic spectra that led him to computation on conjugated organic molecules. From there, he also came up with quantum-mechanical questions underlying molecular-orbital theory and on the use of interatomic overlap integrals as measures of bond energies. He also studied structure and spectra of molecular complexes and small molecules.

Mulliken accomplished many achievements. He was a National Research Council Fellow from both University of Chicago and Harvard University, He also received honorary degrees at Columbia University in 1939, University of Stockholm in 1960, Marquette University in 1967, and Cambridge University in 1967. He is a Member of the American Academy of Arts and Sciences, American Chemical Society, American Philosophical Society, National Academy of Sciences, Cosmos Club, and Quadrangle Club. His recreational interests include oriental rugs, driving cars, and art.

sources

cliodynamics.info

www.bachmans.com