Antoine Csar Becquerel
Becquerel, Antoine César (1852-1908), a French electrochemist, conducted groundbreaking work on voltaic cells, in which he solved the problem of how electricity in the cell is produced. He showed that electricity is generated by the contact of dissimilar bodies when they are rubbed together, differ in temperature, or react together, and that every chemical reaction is capable of producing electricity. He also performed experiments that led to the synthesis of mineral substances. These findings proved useful in several industrial applications, such as the extraction of potassium chloride from salt water.
Becquerel's earliest investigations were in mineralogy, and in 1819, he identified a crystalline form of calcium phosphate that had been unknown up to that time. In addition, he invented a number of instruments, including an electromagnetic balance, a differential galvanometer, and the first constant-current electric pile.
Following graduation from the École Polytechnique, Becquerel joined the Corps of Engineers, where he earned the rank of captain in 1812. He returned to active duty, fighting in the Battle of Waterloo, but left the corps after Napoleon's demise in 1815. From that point on, Becquerel focused on scientific pursuits. He was a member of the French Academy of Sciences and the first occupant of the chair of physics at the Museum of Natural History in Paris. In 1837, he was awarded the Copley Medal of the Royal Society of London.
Becquerel, married Aimée-Cécile Darlui. Their sons, Louis Alfred and Alexandra Edmond, became respected scientists. Alexandre served as his father's assistant, inheriting the physics chair at the museum. Becquerel's grandson, Antoine Henri Becquerel, also was a physicist and is best known for his discovery of radioactivity. Becquerel continued to work and take part in proceedings at the Academy until his death.