Cheng Kaijia
Encyclopedia
Cheng Kaijia (1918-), also known as Cheng Kai-jia or Cheng Kai Jia, is a Chinese
nuclear
physicist
and engineer
. He is a pioneer and key figure in Chinese nuclear weapon development.
) in 1918. He graduated from the Department of Physics, of Zhejiang University
in 1941. In 1946, he went to Britain
and studied at the University of Edinburgh
, and obtained a PhD
in 1948 (advisor: Max Born
). He then became a researcher in the UK.
Cheng returned to China
in 1950. He was an associate professor at Zhejiang University, he then went to Nanjing
, where he became an associate professor in Nanjing University
, and was later promoted to full professorship.
Cheng was a pioneer of Chinese nuclear technology and played an important role in the development of the first Chinese atomic bomb. He first calculated out the inner temperature and pressure for an antomic bomb blast in China. His calculation was an extremely heavy task and nearly manual, because during that time China didn't have any computer
or less calculator
. He also solved the mechanism of the inner explosion, which could support the design of the bomb. He was the chief director for many nuclear weapon test fields/bases and their explosion processes.
Cheng was elected to the Chinese Academy of Sciences
. He was also a Standing Member of the Science and Technology Committee, Chinese National Nuclear Industry Corporation. He was former Vice-President of the Nuclear Weapons Research Institute, and the Deputy Chief Director of the Nuclear Weapons Research Institute, People's Republic of China.
China
Chinese civilization may refer to:* China for more general discussion of the country.* Chinese culture* Greater China, the transnational community of ethnic Chinese.* History of China* Sinosphere, the area historically affected by Chinese culture...
nuclear
Nuclear physics
Nuclear physics is the field of physics that studies the building blocks and interactions of atomic nuclei. The most commonly known applications of nuclear physics are nuclear power generation and nuclear weapons technology, but the research has provided application in many fields, including those...
physicist
Physicist
A physicist is a scientist who studies or practices physics. Physicists study a wide range of physical phenomena in many branches of physics spanning all length scales: from sub-atomic particles of which all ordinary matter is made to the behavior of the material Universe as a whole...
and engineer
Engineer
An engineer is a professional practitioner of engineering, concerned with applying scientific knowledge, mathematics and ingenuity to develop solutions for technical problems. Engineers design materials, structures, machines and systems while considering the limitations imposed by practicality,...
. He is a pioneer and key figure in Chinese nuclear weapon development.
Life
Cheng was born in Wujiang, Jiangsu Province (currently SuzhouSuzhou
Suzhou , previously transliterated as Su-chou, Suchow, and Soochow, is a major city located in the southeast of Jiangsu Province in Eastern China, located adjacent to Shanghai Municipality. The city is situated on the lower reaches of the Yangtze River and on the shores of Taihu Lake and is a part...
) in 1918. He graduated from the Department of Physics, of Zhejiang University
Zhejiang University
Zhejiang University , sometimes referred to as Zheda, is a national university in China. Founded in 1897, Zhejiang University is one of China's oldest institutions of higher education...
in 1941. In 1946, he went to Britain
United Kingdom
The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern IrelandIn the United Kingdom and Dependencies, other languages have been officially recognised as legitimate autochthonous languages under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages...
and studied at the University of Edinburgh
University of Edinburgh
The University of Edinburgh, founded in 1583, is a public research university located in Edinburgh, the capital of Scotland, and a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The university is deeply embedded in the fabric of the city, with many of the buildings in the historic Old Town belonging to the university...
, and obtained a PhD
PHD
PHD may refer to:*Ph.D., a doctorate of philosophy*Ph.D. , a 1980s British group*PHD finger, a protein sequence*PHD Mountain Software, an outdoor clothing and equipment company*PhD Docbook renderer, an XML renderer...
in 1948 (advisor: Max Born
Max Born
Max Born was a German-born physicist and mathematician who was instrumental in the development of quantum mechanics. He also made contributions to solid-state physics and optics and supervised the work of a number of notable physicists in the 1920s and 30s...
). He then became a researcher in the UK.
Cheng returned to China
People's Republic of China
China , officially the People's Republic of China , is the most populous country in the world, with over 1.3 billion citizens. Located in East Asia, the country covers approximately 9.6 million square kilometres...
in 1950. He was an associate professor at Zhejiang University, he then went to Nanjing
Nanjing
' is the capital of Jiangsu province in China and has a prominent place in Chinese history and culture, having been the capital of China on several occasions...
, where he became an associate professor in Nanjing University
Nanjing University
Nanjing University , or Nanking University, is one of the oldest and most prestigious institutions of higher learning in China...
, and was later promoted to full professorship.
Cheng was a pioneer of Chinese nuclear technology and played an important role in the development of the first Chinese atomic bomb. He first calculated out the inner temperature and pressure for an antomic bomb blast in China. His calculation was an extremely heavy task and nearly manual, because during that time China didn't have any computer
Computer
A computer is a programmable machine designed to sequentially and automatically carry out a sequence of arithmetic or logical operations. The particular sequence of operations can be changed readily, allowing the computer to solve more than one kind of problem...
or less calculator
Calculator
An electronic calculator is a small, portable, usually inexpensive electronic device used to perform the basic operations of arithmetic. Modern calculators are more portable than most computers, though most PDAs are comparable in size to handheld calculators.The first solid-state electronic...
. He also solved the mechanism of the inner explosion, which could support the design of the bomb. He was the chief director for many nuclear weapon test fields/bases and their explosion processes.
Cheng was elected to the Chinese Academy of Sciences
Chinese Academy of Sciences
The Chinese Academy of Sciences , formerly known as Academia Sinica, is the national academy for the natural sciences of the People's Republic of China. It is an institution of the State Council of China. It is headquartered in Beijing, with institutes all over the People's Republic of China...
. He was also a Standing Member of the Science and Technology Committee, Chinese National Nuclear Industry Corporation. He was former Vice-President of the Nuclear Weapons Research Institute, and the Deputy Chief Director of the Nuclear Weapons Research Institute, People's Republic of China.
External links
- ChinaVitae - the biography highlight of Cheng Kaijia
- Holeung Ho Lee Foundation (HHLF) AWARDEE OF TECHNOLOGICAL SCIENCES PRIZE - CHENG KAIJIA (Abstract)
- 两弹一星功勋：核武器专家程开甲院士 Nuclear weapon pioneer - Academician Cheng Kaijia