Category: Science
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Katherine Johnson
Katherine Johnson (1918–2020) was an American mathematician who played a crucial role in the early years of the United States space program, particularly during NASA’s Mercury and Apollo missions. Her work involved complex calculations of orbital mechanics, trajectory analysis, and other essential computations for space missions. Here are some key points about Katherine Johnson’s life…
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Henrietta Lacks
Henrietta Lacks (1920–1951) was an African American woman whose cells were taken without her knowledge or consent and used for scientific research. Her cells, known as HeLa cells, became one of the most important tools in medicine and biological research. In 1951, Henrietta Lacks was diagnosed with cervical cancer at Johns Hopkins Hospital in Baltimore,…
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Hedy Lamarr
Hedy Lamarr (1914–2000) was an Austrian-American actress and inventor. Born Hedwig Eva Maria Kiesler on November 9, 1914, in Vienna, Austria, she became a Hollywood star in the 1930s and 1940s, known for her beauty and talent. Lamarr appeared in numerous films, including “Algiers” (1938) and “Samson and Delilah” (1949). Beyond her successful acting career,…
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Alan Turing
Alan Turing (1912–1954) was a British mathematician, logician, and computer scientist who is often regarded as one of the fathers of modern computer science. Born on June 23, 1912, in Maida Vale, London, Turing made significant contributions to various fields, including mathematics, logic, cryptography, and artificial intelligence. Here are some key aspects of Alan Turing’s…
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Rosalind Franklin
Rosalind Franklin (1920-1958) was a British biophysicist and X-ray crystallographer who made significant contributions to the understanding of the molecular structures of DNA, RNA, viruses, coal, and graphite. She was born on July 25, 1920, in London, England. Franklin’s work on X-ray diffraction images of DNA played a crucial role in the discovery of the…
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Nikola Tesla
Nikola Tesla (1856-1943) was a Serbian-American inventor, electrical engineer, mechanical engineer, and futurist who made significant contributions to the development of alternating current (AC) electrical systems. Born on July 10, 1856, in what is now Croatia, Tesla immigrated to the United States in 1884 and became a naturalized citizen in 1891. Some of Tesla’s notable…
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scandium aluminum nitride
Scandium aluminum nitride (ScAlN) is a material composed of scandium (Sc), aluminum (Al), and nitrogen (N). It belongs to the family of III-nitride semiconductors, which includes materials like gallium nitride (GaN) and aluminum nitride (AlN). Scandium aluminum nitride is a relatively new material that has gained attention for its potential applications in electronics and optoelectronics…
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Superposition
Superposition is a fundamental concept in quantum mechanics that describes the ability of quantum systems to exist in multiple states or configurations simultaneously. It is one of the key principles that differentiates quantum physics from classical physics. Here are the key aspects of superposition: Multiple States: In quantum mechanics, particles and systems are not restricted…
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Wave-Particle Duality
Wave-particle duality is a fundamental concept in quantum mechanics that describes the dual nature of particles, such as electrons and photons. It suggests that these particles exhibit both wave-like and particle-like characteristics, depending on how they are observed or measured. This concept challenges classical physics, which often treats particles and waves as distinct and separate…
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Quantization of Energy
The quantization of energy is a fundamental concept in physics, particularly in the realm of quantum mechanics. It asserts that energy is not continuous but instead exists in discrete, quantized levels or packets. This concept was first introduced by Max Planck in 1900 when he was trying to explain the spectral distribution of blackbody radiation,…