Electro-chemistry — Antoine César Becquerel
Antoine César Becquerel explored the chemical and physical dimensions of the new realm that opened up with the discovery of electricity. Immediately after graduation from the Ecole Polytechnique in 1809, Becquerel joined the army and was decorated by Napoleon Bonaparte for heroism in the war with Spain. However, after Napoleon’s defeat in 1815, Becquerel sought out the more sedate adventures of scientific research at the Muséum National d’Histoire Naturelle. Some credit Antoine Cesar Becquerel as being the first to describe electricity generated by light acting on a material, which is the process at work in photovoltaic cells, the active component of solar panels. Others attribute this discovery to his son, Edmond.
Beginning in the 1820s, Becquerel focused on electrical phenomenon related to the composition and chemical transformation of matter, while Ampere and Arago took up the investigation of mechanical aspects of electricity and magnetism. Following Haüy’s investigation of the electrical properties of Iceland spar (a crystalline form of calcite), Becquerel found that other crystalline materials exhibit same phenomenon, which is know as the piezoelectric effect. He discovered the related phenomenon of electric charge arising from a change in temperature. Becquerel broadened his investigations to include the phenomenon involved in the operation of Volta’s electric pile and electrolysis. This led to the design for a battery capable of sustaining a constant current over a long period of time.
Antoine César Becquerel also had the distinction of founding a scientific dynasty that extended over four generations. His son, Alexandre-Edmond is known for work on luminescence and phosphorescence. His grandson, Antoine-Henri, shares the distinction for the discovery of radioactivity with Marie Curie and her husband Pierre. And his great-grandson, Jean, was the last in the line, beginning with Antoine-Cesar to occupy the chair in physics at the Muséum National d’Histoire Naturelle, where he worked on optical and magnetic properties of crystal.
Antoine César Becquerel is one of the 72 scientists and engineers named on the Eiffel Tower.
