Robert Brattain

R. Robert Brattain
Born(1911-05-21)May 21, 1911
DiedNovember 17, 2002(2002-11-17) (aged 91)
U.S.
NationalityAmerican
Other namesRoss Robert Brattain
Alma materWhitman College,
University of Washington,
Princeton University
OccupationPhysics
EmployerShell Development Company
Known forSpectrophotometry, Instrumentation
RelativesWalter Houser Brattain (brother)

R. Robert Brattain (May 21, 1911 – November 17, 2002) was an American physicist at Shell Development Company. He was involved in a number of secret projects during World War II. He is recognized as one of America's leading infrared spectroscopists for his work in designing several models of spectrophotometer, and for using the infrared spectrophotometer to determine the β-lactam structure of penicillin. His instrumentation work was essential to the subsequent study and understanding of structures in organic chemistry.[1]

  1. ^ Morris, Peter J. T., ed. (2002). From classical to modern chemistry : the instrumental revolution ; [from a conference on the history of chemical instrumentation: "From the Test-tube to the Autoanalyzer: the Development of Chemical Instrumentation in the Twentieth Century", London, in August 2000]. Cambridge: Royal Society of Chemistry in assoc. with the Science Museum. pp. 16–18, 62. ISBN 9780854044795. Retrieved 9 April 2015.