What secrets lie within these walls? The Abteilung Chemische Physik stands before us. It is a place where scientific breakthroughs and historical turning points intertwine.
The Abteilung Chemische Physik traces its origins back to the Kaiser-Wilhelm Institute for Physical Chemistry and Electrochemistry. It was founded in 1911. This institute was one of the first two of the Kaiser-Wilhelm Society. Leopold Koppel, a wealthy industrialist, provided a generous endowment. His contribution made the institute possible.
Ernst von Ihne, His Majesty’s Chief Architect, designed the buildings. He aimed to blend aesthetic appeal with scientific needs. He chose Thuringian slate for the roofs. He gave the facade a gray color. This was so colored light would not disturb experiments. Construction finished quickly. A research building opened just 11 months after construction began.
Fritz Haber became the institute’s first director. He was recommended by Svante Arrhenius. Haber’s personality and scientific achievements were ideal for leading this new institute. The focus was basic research in physical chemistry. The institute aimed to boost the German chemical industry.
During World War I, the institute shifted its focus. It became a center for war-related research. A serious explosion occurred in 1914 during experiments with explosives. Otto Sackur, a promising young physicist, died.
Haber directed the first large-scale deployment of chemical weapons in 1915. He believed this would end trench warfare quickly. The institute developed chemical weapons and protective measures. Richard Willstätter, Haber’s colleague, developed the respiratory filter for gas masks. The staff grew to over 1,000 people.
After the war, Haber returned to basic research. He developed methods to extract gold from seawater. This effort proved economically impractical. James Franck directed a Department of Atomic Physics. He won the Nobel Prize in 1925. Michael Polanyi led a second Department of Physical Chemistry. He studied reaction kinetics.
The Abteilung Chemische Physik became a hub for talented scientists. Haber’s bi-weekly colloquium fostered discussions on the latest developments. The institute became a scientific mecca.
In 1933, the National Socialists took over. Haber resigned as director. He refused to dismiss racially undesirable staff. Other department heads also resigned. Haber emigrated to England. He died in 1934.
Otto Hahn became director after Haber. However, Gerhart Jander was appointed temporary director. Peter Adolf Thiessen later became director. During World War II, the institute again focused on military projects.
After the war, the institute faced challenges. Robert Havemann became head of the institute. Iwan N. Stranski, Kurt Molière, and Kurt Ueberreiter resumed their work.
In 1953, the institute joined the Max-Planck Society. It was renamed the Fritz-Haber-Institut. Max von Laue became chief director. He rebuilt the institute.
Under Heinz Gerischer, the institute studied electrochemistry and surface science. Alexander Bradshaw focused on surface physics. Gerhard Ertl researched chemical reactions at surfaces.
In 1986, Ernst Ruska won the Nobel Prize for his work on electron microscopy. New departments were added. These included theory and inorganic chemistry. The institute continued to adapt and innovate.
Today, the Abteilung Chemische Physik remains a center for groundbreaking research. It explores the dynamics of elementary processes at surfaces. It drives scientific progress. This institute continues a legacy of discovery. It shapes our understanding of the physical world.