Hans Goldschmidt


Johannes Wilhelm "Hans" Goldschmidt was a German chemist.

Biography

He was born in Berlin on January 18, 1861. He was a student of Robert Bunsen. His father, Theodor Goldschmidt, was the founder of the chemical company Chemische Fabrik Th. Goldschmidt which eventually became part of the modern company Degussa, and Hans and his brother Karl Hering managed this company for many years.
He is principally noted as the co-inventor of sodium amalgam and the initial patent holder of the thermite reaction. The thermite reaction is one in which aluminum metal is oxidized by an oxide of another metal, usually iron oxide, producing great heat in the process. Goldschmidt was originally interested in producing very pure metals by avoiding the use of carbon in smelting, but he soon realized the value in welding, a process known as thermic welding. It is also used in incendiary devices. This process is sometimes called the "Goldschmidt reaction" or "Goldschmidt process", because he furthered its development and patented it in 1895. He would also go on to publish an extensive paper on it in 1898.
He died on May 21, 1923.

Legacy

His grave is preserved in the Protestant Friedhof I der Jerusalems- und Neuen Kirchengemeinde in Berlin-Kreuzberg, south of Hallesches Tor.