SS Connection

Robert Jemison Van de Graaff

Robert Jemison Van de Graaff was born on December 20, 1901 to January 16, 1967. He was an American physicist and taught on the Princeton University and MIT. Van de Graff designed the Van de Graff generator which produces high voltages. In 1929 he developed the first generator that produced 80,000 volts with Nicholas Burke. By 1931, Robert had constructed a larger generator with had 7 million volts. He was also a National Researcher Fellow from 1931-1934. He then was awarded with the Elliot Cresson Medal in 1931. In 1935 he received a patent for his invention. Van de Graaff also was director of the High Voltage Radio-graphic Project, during WWII. In 1946 he received the Duddel Medal of the Physical Society of Great Britain. In the 1950's, Van de Graaff invented the insulating-core transformer, and also developed tandem generator technology. In the late 1950's Van de Graaff invented the insulating core transformer. This insulating core transformer generated high voltage direct current using magnetic flux rather than electrostatic charging. He was also awarded the T. Bonner prize in 1966 for his development of electrostatic accelerators.

His invention consists of a high metal cylinder, with hollow metal shell at its upper end. A silk conveyor passes through the center of the cylinder. At the very bottom of this, the film brings positively charges move through the tape to the top of the cylinder. If the ribbon is longer the more positive charges are accumulated in the dome.