Transcript Snímek 1 - Ning.com

Otto Wichterle
David Boháček
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Prof. Ing. RTDr. Otto Wichterle,
DrSc.
He was born on 27 th October 1913
in Prostějov
He was a famous world scientist
and inventor
was particularly known for his
discoveries and inventions which
lead to improvement worldwide
expansion of contact lenses
These results were based on his
original scientific work in the
field of hydrogels.
He also discovered synthetic
polyamide fiber – silon.
He was the youngest child from
ten children and did´t have many
friends.
When he was six years old, he
nearly drowned in the pond of
slurry.
He studied at home and
consequently, despite his young
age (nine years) came to the
State High School.
• Otto filed an aplication
to the Faculty of
Chemical Technology
Engineering (ČVUT). And
he was admitted to the
college.
• Since 1940, he was
employed at a research
institute of Bata factory
in Zlin, where he led a
group dealing with
research polyamides.
• After a series of
complications related to
secrecy before the German
occupiers and then with
the problems of post-war
industry, the industrial
production of polyamides
bearing Nylon started for
ten years.
• Since 1952 he started
working on synthesis
hydrophilic gel which
reacts with water in
order to find suitable
material for ocular
implants.
• He managed to prepare
(HEMA) gel, which
absorbs water to 40
percent, it had the
appropriate mechanical
properties and was
transparent.
• In 1958 professor
Wichterle was fired
from school. And
research of intraocular
lenses were discarded.
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At Christmas 1961 he drew up with children's metal kits Merkur
first prototype of the centrifugal casting equipment powered
from a bicycle dynamo. On it he cast a very regular first four
lenses to eye irritant.
He was an author or coauthor of about 150 patents and over 200
publications, died on 18 August 1998 in the Strážisku v
Prostějově.
He had two sons - also chemists.