Strassmann began his formal education in chemistry at the Technical University of Hannover, where he earned his Ph.D. in 1929. Early in his career, he specialized in radiochemistry, an emerging field at the time. In 1934, he joined the Kaiser Wilhelm Institute for Chemistry in Berlin, where he collaborated with Otto Hahn and Lise Meitner. Their research initially focused on transuranium elements, but in 1938, they made their groundbreaking discovery of nuclear fission.
The identification of barium in the fission process was crucial because it contradicted prevailing scientific theories that suggested only minor changes in atomic nuclei were possible. Strassmann’s precise chemical techniques provided definitive proof that uranium atoms could split, releasing immense amounts of energy. This finding was further interpreted by Lise Meitner and Otto Frisch, who coined the term "nuclear fission."
Despite his scientific achievements, Strassmann remained an ethical scientist. During World War II, he and his wife helped hide a Jewish friend, risking their lives in Nazi Germany. His moral integrity was later recognized when he was honored as one of the "Righteous Among the Nations" by Israel’s Yad Vashem memorial.
After the war, Strassmann continued his scientific career, taking on academic positions at the University of Mainz and contributing to the development of nuclear chemistry. He became a leading advocate for the peaceful use of nuclear energy and received numerous accolades, including the prestigious Enrico Fermi Award in 1966.
Strassmann’s contributions to science had a lasting impact, shaping modern nuclear research and energy applications. He passed away on April 22, 1980, in Mainz, Germany, leaving behind a legacy of scientific innovation and humanitarian courage.
Fritz Strassmann: Pioneer of Nuclear Fission and Humanitarian Scientist
