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Eugene Anatole DemarcayFrench chemist
Date of Birth: 01.01.1852
Country:  France |
Content:
- Eugène Demarçay, the Discoverer of Europium
- Academic Career
- Contributions to Chemistry
- Discovery of Europium
- Contribution to the Study of Radium
Eugène Demarçay, the Discoverer of Europium
Early Life and EducationEugène Demarçay was a French chemist born in 1852 in France. Little is known about his early life, and the exact date of his death remains disputed. Some sources suggest he passed away in December 1904, while others claim 1903. According to the research of James and Virginia Marshall, Demarçay died on March 5, 1903, in Paris.
Academic Career
In 1874, Demarçay graduated from the École Polytechnique in Paris. He subsequently worked at the institution as a colleague and friend of the renowned couple, Marie and Pierre Curie.
Contributions to Chemistry
Demarçay's primary research focused on both organic and inorganic chemistry, with a specialization in spectroscopy. His early work in the 1870s involved studying essential oils and unsaturated acids.
Later, in the 1880s, he shifted his attention to the volatility of metals at low pressures and temperatures. During this period, he designed a highly effective apparatus for producing extremely low temperatures based on the principle of expanding gas cooling.
Discovery of Europium
In 1890, Demarçay's research led to a breakthrough in the field of rare earth elements. He improved methods for separating these elements, enabling him to isolate a new substance known as "samarium earth" in 1896. In 1901, after meticulous spectroscopic analysis, he determined that this element was actually europium, a discovery that earned him widespread recognition.
Contribution to the Study of Radium
Demarçay also contributed to the understanding of radium. Through spectroscopic analysis, he provided evidence of the presence of radium in uranium waste by identifying a new spectral line. This discovery helped solidify the existence of the newly discovered radioactive element.
