Batteries were the primary electricity source before electric grids. Timeline includes Voltaic Pile, Daniell Cell, and rechargeable batteries.
The history of solar cells dates back to the 1800s, with significant milestones in efficiency and technology development. From the 7th Century B.C. to the 1200s A.D., solar technology has evolved through scientific discovery and invention.
Alessandro Volta was a pioneer of electricity, inventor of the electric battery, and discoverer of methane. His voltaic pile invention in 1799 revolutionized the field of electrochemistry. Volta's work was admired by Napoleon Bonaparte, and he held the chair of experimental physics at the University of Pavia for 40 years. The SI unit of electric potential, the volt, is named after him.
Muhammad ibn Musa al-Khwarizmi, known as al-Khwarizmi, was a Persian scholar who made significant contributions to mathematics, astronomy, and geography. He is considered the father of algebra and introduced the decimal-based positional number system to the Western world.
Plastic development started with natural materials. Modern synthetic plastics invented around 100 years ago. PVC patented in 1913 by Friedrich Klatte. Timeline of key discoveries and impacts.
Lab-grown diamonds timeline: 1954 first created, 1971 first gem-quality, 1980s CVD method developed. GE made first batch in 1954.
The Standard Model describes fundamental forces and particles, developed in the 20th century. It predicts properties accurately but falls short in explaining certain phenomena like dark matter and neutrino oscillations.
Gunpowder originated in China as an alchemical product. It evolved into firearms and artillery. Used for various purposes since the 10th century CE.
MERS is caused by MERS-CoV, with symptoms ranging from mild to severe. First identified in 2012, most cases are in the Arabian Peninsula. Spread is through camels, with close human contact required for transmission. No specific vaccine exists, but treatments are in development. Previous MERS infection may provide partial protection against COVID-19.
Internal Combustion Engine applies force to engine components using high-temperature gases from combustion, converting chemical energy into kinetic energy. First successful engine by Étienne Lenoir in 1860, modern Otto engine by Nicolaus Otto in 1876. Used in vehicles like cars, aircraft, and boats, powered by fuels like natural gas, gasoline, and ethanol.
Nylon is a versatile synthetic polymer family with various properties and applications, such as in fabric, fibers, molded parts, and food packaging films. It can be modified by blending with additives for different uses.
The Human Genome Project aimed to map and sequence all human genes. It started in 1990 and was completed in 2003, involving international collaboration and government funding.
The history of the periodic table spans over two centuries, from the discovery of elements like Phosphorus in 1649 to the creation of the modern table by Dmitri Mendeleev in 1869. Key milestones include the halogen triad, alkali metals, and the identification of isotopes.
Hermann Minkowski developed geometry of numbers and Minkowski spacetime, contributing to special theory of relativity.
Johns Hopkins University, founded in 1876, is known for integrating teaching and research. It has campuses in Italy, China, and Washington, D.C. The university was named after its benefactor, Johns Hopkins, and has been a leader in research and development expenditures in the U.S. It consists of various divisions and schools across Maryland, with notable faculty and alumni including Nobel laureates and political figures.
The Space Race of the 1950s led to the launch of the first artificial satellite, Sputnik-1, by the Soviet Union on October 4, 1957. This marked the beginning of the space age.
Superconductivity is a phenomenon where materials exhibit zero electrical resistance and expel magnetic fields. Discovered in 1911, it is characterized by a critical temperature below which resistance drops to zero. The Meissner effect, observed during transitions into the superconducting state, is a key feature. High-temperature superconductors, with critical temperatures above 90 K, were discovered in 1986, enabling practical applications at higher temperatures.
The development of lasers began with Albert Einstein's theory of stimulated emission in 1917. The first semiconductor laser was designed in 1972, and the technology evolved over the years to include quantum well lasers.
Edwin Hubble's discoveries in extragalactic astronomy revolutionized our understanding of the universe. He proved galaxies beyond the Milky Way and established Hubble's law, showing the universe's expansion. The Hubble Space Telescope was named in his honor.
Denis Papin, a French inventor, is famous for creating the steam digester, a precursor to the pressure cooker and steam engine. He was born on August 22, 1647, and passed away on August 26, 1713.