Hanns Malissa
Encyclopedia
Hanns Malissa was an Austrian analytical chemist
and environmental chemist
who published about 250 scientific papers and several books.
in March 1939, and studied chemistry first at the Prague University of Technology
but earned his doctorate at the Graz University of Technology
in December 1943. Subsequently he became an assistant at the institutes for food chemistry
and geochemistry
. From July 1948 to February 1949 he was a guest scientist at Uppsala University
. From 1953-1959 he worked at the Max Planck Institute for Iron Research GmbH
and then became a full professor for analytical chemistry at the Vienna University of Technology
, a position which he would hold for the next 30 years.
(which he greatly advanced as an microanalytical method, under the name "electron beam analysis") to analyze samples as varied in origin as the Allende meteorite
and flame retardant
materials. About 10 papers which he authored or co-authored dealt with applications of dithiocarbamate
reagents.
In addition Malissa published some 20 papers on systems theory
and Information theory
in analyical chemistry, and some 15 more on automation in organic analysis. His work on particulate matter in the atmosphere (about 30 papers) took him into the emerging field of environmental chemistry
. When the first Conference on Carbonaceous Particles in the Atmosphere was held in 1978 at Berkeley, California Hanns Malissa presented the first paper titled “Some analytical approaches to the chemical characterization of carbonaceous particulates."
and international collaboration in analytical chemistry, two fields where he made a lasting impact at his university. In addition to his strong ties with the Western countries—particularly Germany, Switzerland, Great Britain, and the United States—he established and maintained excellent relations with the academic establishments in communist Eastern Europe, organizing visits of scientists from this region in spite of the travel restrictions during the Cold War period.
Malissa was a founding member of the European Federation of Chemical Societies (later absorbed into the European Association for Chemical and Molecular Sciences
) in 1971, and chaired its Working Party on Analytical Chemistry (WPAC) for 10 years. He contributed to the work of IUPAC
for 20 years, including 4 years as President of the Division of Analytical Chemistry. The Finnish Academy of Science and Letters
made him a foreign member in 1992.
(1988), and the chemical societies of Finland (1984) and Germany (1989).
Analytical chemistry
Analytical chemistry is the study of the separation, identification, and quantification of the chemical components of natural and artificial materials. Qualitative analysis gives an indication of the identity of the chemical species in the sample and quantitative analysis determines the amount of...
and environmental chemist
Environmental chemistry
Environmental chemistry is the scientific study of the chemical and biochemical phenomena that occur in natural places. It should not be confused with green chemistry, which seeks to reduce potential pollution at its source...
who published about 250 scientific papers and several books.
Academic career
Malissa completed high school in his home town Bruck an der MurBruck an der Mur
Bruck an der Mur is a city of some 13,500 people located in the Austrian state of Styria. It is located at the confluence of the Mur and Mürz Rivers. Its manufactures include metal products and paper; Bruck is an important rail junction in the region located on the Graz to Vienna main...
in March 1939, and studied chemistry first at the Prague University of Technology
Czech Technical University in Prague
Czech Technical University in Prague is one of the largest universities in the Czech Republic, and the oldest institute of technology in Central Europe....
but earned his doctorate at the Graz University of Technology
Graz University of Technology
The Graz University of Technology is the second largest university in Styria, Austria, after the University of Graz. Austria has three universities of technology – in Graz, in Leoben, and in Vienna. The Graz University of Technology was founded in 1811 by Archduke John of Austria. TUG, as the...
in December 1943. Subsequently he became an assistant at the institutes for food chemistry
Food chemistry
Food chemistry is the study of chemical processes and interactions of all biological and non-biological components of foods. The biological substances include such items as meat, poultry, lettuce, beer, and milk as examples...
and geochemistry
Geochemistry
The field of geochemistry involves study of the chemical composition of the Earth and other planets, chemical processes and reactions that govern the composition of rocks, water, and soils, and the cycles of matter and energy that transport the Earth's chemical components in time and space, and...
. From July 1948 to February 1949 he was a guest scientist at Uppsala University
Uppsala University
Uppsala University is a research university in Uppsala, Sweden, and is the oldest university in Scandinavia, founded in 1477. It consistently ranks among the best universities in Northern Europe in international rankings and is generally considered one of the most prestigious institutions of...
. From 1953-1959 he worked at the Max Planck Institute for Iron Research GmbH
Max Planck Institute for Iron Research GmbH
The Max Planck Institute for Iron Research GmbH is a research institute of the Max Planck Society located in Düsseldorf. The institute was founded as Kaiser Wilhelm Institute for Iron Research in Aachen 1917 and moved 1921 to Düsseldorf.-External links:* *...
and then became a full professor for analytical chemistry at the Vienna University of Technology
Vienna University of Technology
Vienna University of Technology is one of the major universities in Vienna, the capital of Austria. Founded in 1815 as the "Imperial-Royal Polytechnic Institute" , it currently has about 26,200 students , 8 faculties and about 4,000 staff members...
, a position which he would hold for the next 30 years.
Fields of work
Malissa was most prolific in applying X-ray fluorescenceX-ray fluorescence
X-ray fluorescence is the emission of characteristic "secondary" X-rays from a material that has been excited by bombarding with high-energy X-rays or gamma rays...
(which he greatly advanced as an microanalytical method, under the name "electron beam analysis") to analyze samples as varied in origin as the Allende meteorite
Allende meteorite
The Allende meteorite is the largest carbonaceous chondrite ever found on Earth. The fireball was witnessed at 1:05 a.m. on February 8, 1969, falling over the Mexican state of Chihuahua. After breaking up in the atmosphere, an extensive search for pieces was conducted and it is often described as...
and flame retardant
Flame retardant
Flame retardants are chemicals used in thermoplastics, thermosets, textiles and coatings that inhibit or resist the spread of fire. These can be separated into several different classes of chemicals:...
materials. About 10 papers which he authored or co-authored dealt with applications of dithiocarbamate
Dithiocarbamate
A dithiocarbamate is a functional group in organic chemistry. It is the analog of a carbamate in which both oxygen atoms are replaced by sulfur atoms. Sodium diethyldithiocarbamate is a common ligand in inorganic chemistry....
reagents.
In addition Malissa published some 20 papers on systems theory
Systems theory
Systems theory is the transdisciplinary study of systems in general, with the goal of elucidating principles that can be applied to all types of systems at all nesting levels in all fields of research...
and Information theory
Information theory
Information theory is a branch of applied mathematics and electrical engineering involving the quantification of information. Information theory was developed by Claude E. Shannon to find fundamental limits on signal processing operations such as compressing data and on reliably storing and...
in analyical chemistry, and some 15 more on automation in organic analysis. His work on particulate matter in the atmosphere (about 30 papers) took him into the emerging field of environmental chemistry
Environmental chemistry
Environmental chemistry is the scientific study of the chemical and biochemical phenomena that occur in natural places. It should not be confused with green chemistry, which seeks to reduce potential pollution at its source...
. When the first Conference on Carbonaceous Particles in the Atmosphere was held in 1978 at Berkeley, California Hanns Malissa presented the first paper titled “Some analytical approaches to the chemical characterization of carbonaceous particulates."
International cooperations and functions
Hanns Malissa was a fervent proponent of chemistry educationChemistry education
Chemistry education is a comprehensive term that refers to the study of the teaching and learning of chemistry in all schools, colleges and universities...
and international collaboration in analytical chemistry, two fields where he made a lasting impact at his university. In addition to his strong ties with the Western countries—particularly Germany, Switzerland, Great Britain, and the United States—he established and maintained excellent relations with the academic establishments in communist Eastern Europe, organizing visits of scientists from this region in spite of the travel restrictions during the Cold War period.
Malissa was a founding member of the European Federation of Chemical Societies (later absorbed into the European Association for Chemical and Molecular Sciences
European Association for Chemical and Molecular Sciences
The European Association for Chemical and Molecular Sciences is a European non-profit organisation which works on promoting collaboration between non-profit scientific and technical societies in the field of chemistry. EuCheMS is an Associated Organisation of IUPAC...
) in 1971, and chaired its Working Party on Analytical Chemistry (WPAC) for 10 years. He contributed to the work of IUPAC
International Union of Pure and Applied Chemistry
The International Union of Pure and Applied Chemistry is an international federation of National Adhering Organizations that represents chemists in individual countries. It is a member of the International Council for Science . The international headquarters of IUPAC is located in Zürich,...
for 20 years, including 4 years as President of the Division of Analytical Chemistry. The Finnish Academy of Science and Letters
Finnish Academy of Science and Letters
The Finnish Academy of Science and Letters is a Finnish learned society. It was founded in 1908 as a Finnish-language counterpart of the Swedish-language Finnish Society of Sciences and Letters, which had existed since 1838.- Members :The academy has a total of 328 seats for Finnish members...
made him a foreign member in 1992.
Honors
Among the many international honors which Malissa earned during his career were honorary memberships of the Midland Society for Analytical Chemistry (1952), the Hungarian Academy of SciencesHungarian Academy of Sciences
The Hungarian Academy of Sciences is the most important and prestigious learned society of Hungary. Its seat is at the bank of the Danube in Budapest.-History:...
(1988), and the chemical societies of Finland (1984) and Germany (1989).
Late life and death
When Malissa retired in 1989 he returned to his hometown Bruck an der Mur, where he became an active citizen and continued to publish on the more philosophical aspects of analytical chemistry and on building a fundamental theory of the field that would reflect its dynamic evolution under new paradigms. At an age of almost 90 years he died on June 22, 2010 after a brief terminal illness.Sources
- Grasserbauer M. A Tribute to Hanns Malissa. Editorial in Microchimica Acta 119(1-2), I-II, DOI: 10.1007/BF01244848
- Austrian Academy of Sciences clean air commission. Curriculum vitae Hanns Malissa. http://www.oeaw.ac.at/krl/mitglieder/Malissa_en.htm
- In memoriam Hanns Malissa. Eulogy written for the 10th International Conference on Carbonaceous Particles in the Atmosphere, June 26–29, 2011.http://aac.alpha.serverkit.de/iccpa/inmemoriam.html Archived