Hou Debang's biography:
1. **Early Years Education**:
- On August 9, 1890, Hou Debang was born into an ordinary farming family in Minhou County, Fujian Province.
- From 1903 to 1906, he was sponsored by his aunt to study at Yinghua Academy in Fuzhou.
- From 1907 to 1910, he studied at the Minwan Railway College in Shanghai.
2. Early Career:
- After graduating, he worked as an intern on the British-funded Tianjin-Pudong Railway, during which he felt the exploitation and oppression of China by foreign forces, which inspired his patriotism.
3. **Study Abroad Experience**:
- In 1911, he was admitted to the Tsinghua Preparatory School for Studying in the United States in Beiping.
- In 1913, he was sent to the Massachusetts Institute of Technology to study chemical engineering.
- In 1917, after graduating with a bachelor's degree, he entered the Pratt College to study tanning, where he obtained a diploma as a tanning chemist.
- In 1918, he entered the graduate school of Columbia University to study tanning, and received his master's degree in 1919 and doctorate in 1921.
4. **Scientific and Industrial Contribution**:
- In the 20s, Hou Debang broke through the technology of ammonia-alkali method production and presided over the construction of the first soda ash plant in Asia.
- In the 30s, he led the establishment of China's first joint enterprise for the production of synthetic ammonia, nitric acid, sulfuric acid and ammonium sulfate.
- In the forties and fifties, a new process of combined alkali production for the continuous production of soda ash and ammonium chloride, as well as a new process for the production of ammonium bicarbonate fertilizer by carbonization process, was invented.
5. **Social Activities and Academic Contributions**:
- Actively participate in the activities of science and technology clubs, and serve as the director, executive director and chairman of several science and technology clubs.
- Most of his papers and books have been presented or published at academic meetings of scientific and technological societies.
6. **Later Life and Death**:
- In 1945, he succeeded as the general manager of Yongli Chemical Industry Co., Ltd. and led the resumption of production.
- In 1947, he was appointed as the Chief Engineer of the Tata Corporation of India.
- In 1948, he was elected as an academician of Academia Sinica.
- In January 1973, Hou Debang passed away, leaving behind a valuable scientific wealth and spiritual legacy.
7. **Remembrance & Honor**:
- The Department of Chemistry at Tsinghua University established the "Hou Debang Academic Excellence Award" to commemorate his academic achievements and contributions to science education.
Hou Debang's life was an unremitting pursuit of science and technology and the concept of industrial salvation, and his scientific research practice and spiritual wealth have a profound impact on future generations.
Hou Debang once studied in the United States. In 1911, he was admitted to the Tsinghua Preparatory School in the United States in Beiping, and was later sent to the Massachusetts Institute of Technology to study chemical engineering with excellent results. After graduating in 1917, he received a bachelor's degree and then entered the Pratt College to study tanning, where he obtained a diploma as a tanning chemist. In 1918, Hou Debang entered the graduate school of Columbia University, where he received a master's degree in 1919 and a doctorate in 1921. His academic achievements and contributions to tanning chemistry have led him to become a Fellow of the Sigma Xi Society of Sciences and a Fellow of the Phi Lambda Upsilon Chemical Society of the United States. Hou Debang's study abroad experience has laid a solid foundation for his future scientific research work and technological innovation.
Hou Debang is a well-known scientist and chemical expert in China, and is known as one of the pioneers of China's heavy chemical industry. His major achievements and contributions include:
1. Technological breakthrough and industrial development: Hou Debang broke through the technology of ammonia-alkali alkali production in the 20s of the 20th century and presided over the establishment of the first soda ash plant in Asia. In the 30s, he led the establishment of China's first joint enterprise capable of producing ammonia, nitric acid, sulfuric acid and ammonium sulfate at the same time. In the forties and fifties, he invented a new process for the continuous production of soda ash and ammonium chloride, as well as a new process for the production of ammonium bicarbonate fertilizer by carbonization process for ammonia synthesis, and realized the industrialization and popularization of these technologies in the 60s.
2. Education and Talent Training: Hou Debang has not only made outstanding achievements in the field of science and technology, but also actively disseminated and exchanged science and technology, and cultivated many scientific and technological talents.
3. Social Activities and Science and Technology Societies: Hou Debang actively participates in the activities of science and technology clubs, is one of the early members of the China Science Society, and holds important positions in many science and technology clubs, such as director, executive director and chairman. Through these platforms, he publicizes his research and supports the activities of the science and technology community.
4. Academic style: Hou Debang advocates diligent learning, emphasizing practice and innovation. He adheres to a scientific attitude, is rigorous and serious, encourages equal debate and pursues consensus in academic discussions.
5. Personal qualities: Hou Debang lived a frugal life, but he was very generous in cultivating scientific and technological talents. He donated to science and technology clubs, sponsored the children of relatives and friends to study abroad, and contributed to public welfare undertakings such as running schools in his hometown.
6. Remembrance and Influence: Hou Debang's scientific research spirit and contribution to the country are widely recognized. In order to commemorate him, the Department of Chemistry of Tsinghua University established the "Hou Debang Academic Excellence Award", referred to as the "Hou Debang Award", to encourage young students to learn from his spirit.
Hou Debang's life was an unremitting pursuit of science and technology and the concept of industrial salvation, and his scientific research practice and spiritual wealth have a profound impact on future generations.