Jaap Kistemaker and uranium enrichment
Description
Summary of the lecture 'Jaap Kistemaker and uranium enrichment in the Netherlands 1945 - 1962'
Already immediately after the war, Jaap Kistemaker started research into uranium enrichment in Amsterdam. In nature, this yellowish substance occurs in several isotopes. However, only one of these isotopes was considered suitable for atomic weapons and energy production. Expectations were therefore very high.
Kistemaker was appointed within the Foundation for Fundamental Research on Matter, initially under the professor Cornelis Jan Bakker. Later, he was given his own laboratory at his disposal - the Laboratory for Mass Spectrography in Amsterdam. Today, this laboratory is called AMOLF (FOM Institute for Atomic and Molecular Physics).
How was the desire for uranium enrichment shaped in post-war Netherlands? Where did this desire actually come from? And what was subsequently done with it? What role did the Cold War, with all its secrecy sentiments, espionage and US hegemony, play? And how did a scientist in a white lab coat, who liked to present himself as a simple farmer's son, position himself in these big issues?
To ensure the smooth running of the meeting, people need to register in advance, by Saturday 6 January at the latest. Preferably via email to phtlmvanwoerkom@gmail.com stating 'Registration for lecture 13 January with (number of) guests' or by phone 070-3070275
Speaker(s)
Dr A.H. Streefland:
Abel Streefland studied physics and then history of science at Utrecht University. Last September, he received his PhD from Leiden University for a thesis on Jaap Kistemaker and the history of uranium enrichment in the Netherlands between 1945 and 1962. In between, he wrote a booklet on the Haarlem years of theoretical physicist Hendrik Antoon Lorentz for Teylers Museum in Haarlem.
Since November 2016, he has been working as a university historian at the Library of Delft University of Technology
Location
Mijnbouwstraat 120, 2628 TX Delft
Organiser
History of Technology
Association Histechnica
Name and contact details for information
dr P.Th.L.M. van Woerkom