CSIRO Division of Chemical Physics (1958 - 1987)

Summary

The CSIRO Chemical Physics Section was granted divisional status in the late 1958. The CSIRO Division of Chemical Physics conducted research into the techniques and instruments of Chemical Physics, such as spectroscopy and diffraction. On January 1, 1987, the Division was amalgamated with the CSIRO Division of Material Science to form the CSIRO Division of Materials Science & Technology.

Details

From "CSIRO research for Austrlalia" (1962) pdf pages 58-59
"The need for fundamental work was recognized from the outset and in 1944 a group equipped with modern physical facilities for the investigation of chemical problems was set up. This group, under the leadership of Dr. A. L. G. Rees, and now known as the Division of Chemical Physics, is concerned primarily with basic researches and these have yielded results of great practical importance. For example, spectroscopic studies led to two new techniques; one for producing light of high spectral purity; and the other for carrying out chemical analysis by means of atomic absorption measurements. Instruments based on these techniques are now manufactured under licence to C.S.I.R.O., by overseas instrument manufacturers and are widely used throughout the world.

Studies in the diffraction of light and of electrons have led to a major advance in physical optics, whilst X-ray methods have been used to determine the structures of several complicated molecules. Electron microscopy, applied to studies of such materials as muscle, plant chloroplasts, protein crystals and wool, has yielded important new biological knowledge.

A knowledge of the solid state is of basic importance in many industrial processes and, as a contribution to this knowledge, investigations have been made of some of the electronic processes involved in diffusion, oxidation, luminescence and the chemical reactions of solids.

In addition to its research programme, the Division of Chemical Physics has stimulated and assisted in the production of scientific instruments in Australia. "

Chronology

9 October 1958

Operational event - Granted CSIRO divisional status

1 January 1987

Operational event - Amalgamated the CSIRO Division of Materials Science to form the CSIRO Division of Materials Science and Technology

Related entries

Timeline

 1944 - 1958 CSIR/O Chemical Physics Section
       1958 - 1987 CSIRO Division of Chemical Physics
             1987 - 1997 CSIRO Division of Materials Science and Technology
                   1997 - 2002 CSIRO Division of Manufacturing Science and Technology

Archival resources

Adolph Basser Library, Australian Academy of Science

• Andrew Crowther Hurley - Records, 1944 - 1988, MS 174; Adolph Basser Library, Australian Academy of Science. Details

Published resources

Books

• CSIRO, CSIRO research for Australia: Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organization (Canberra: Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Organisation, 1962), 64 pp, https://www.eoas.info/bib-pdf/ASBS15940.pdf. pdf pages 54-55. Details
• McKay, Andrew, Surprise and Enterprise: Fifty Years of Science for Australia: CSIRO (Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation, Australia) (Melbourne: CSIRO, 1976), 48 pp, https://www.eoas.info/bib-pdf/ASBS00655.pdf. Details
• Schedvin, C.B; Trace, K., Historical Directory of Council for Scientific and Industrial Research and Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organization, 1926-1976 (Canberra: CSIRO, 1978), 101 pp. https://csiropedia.csiro.au/wp-content/uploads/2019/04/csiro_historical_directory_1926_1976.pdf. Details

Journal Articles

• Hannaford, Peter, 'Alan Walsh 1916-1998', Historical Records of Australian Science, 13 (2) (2000), 179-206. https://doi.org/10.1071/HR0001320179. Details
• Hannaford, Peter, 'Alan Walsh and the atomic absorption story: celebrating 60 years', Australian Physics, 50 (6) (2013), 188-94. Details
• Willis, J. B., 'The CSIRO Division of Chemical Physics, 1944-1986', Historical Records of Australian Science, 7 (2) (1988), 153-178. https://doi.org/10.1071/HR9880720153. Details
• Willis, J. B., 'Spectroscopic Research in the CSIRO Division of Chemical Physics, 1944-1986', Historical Records of Australian Science, 8 (3) (1991), 151-182. https://doi.org/10.1071/HR9910830151. Details
• Willis, J. B., 'Three Little Companies: the Birth of a Major Australian Scientific Instrument Company', Historical Records of Australian Science, 14 (4) (2003), 403-429. https://doi.org/10.1071/HR03007. Details

Resources

• Trove, National Library of Australia, 2009, https://nla.gov.au/nla.party-612394. Details

Resource Sections

• 'Primary description of agency CA 4529; CSIRO, Division of Chemical Physics. Registration of entity: 1 October 1987', in RecordSearch, National Archives of Australia, 2000, https://RecordSearch.naa.gov.au/scripts/AutoSearch.asp?Number=CA%204529. Details
• 'Primary description of agency CA 8067; CSIRO, Division of Materials Science and Technology. Registration of entity; 19 January 1995', in RecordSearch, National Archives of Australia, 2000, https://RecordSearch.naa.gov.au/scripts/AutoSearch.asp?Number=CA%208067. Details
• 'Primary description of agency CA 4529; CSIRO, Division of Chemical Physics. Registration of entity: 1 October 1987', in RecordSearch, National Archives of Australia, 2000, https://RecordSearch.naa.gov.au/scripts/AutoSearch.asp?Number=CA%204529. Details

See also

• Hannaford, Peter, 'Walsh, Alan' in New Dictionary of Scientific Biography, Koertge, Noretta, ed., vol. 7 (Detroit : Charles Scribner's Sons, 2008), pp. 228-233 . Details
• Moodie, A. F.; and Spence, J. C. H., 'John Maxwell Cowley, 1923-2004', Historical Records of Australian Science, 17 (2) (2006), 227-262, https://doi.org/10.1071/HR06012. Details