Martha J. B. Thomas

Martha J. B. Thomas, MBA (1926–2006) was an American chemical engineer and analytical chemist. She is particularly known for her work on phosphorus.

Life and education

Thomas was born in Boston in 1926. She graduated cum laude from Radcliffe College in 1945, after which she obtained a PhD in chemistry from Boston University in 1952, while working at Sylvania Electric Products.[1] Later in life, she received an MBA at Boston's Northeastern University in 1981.[2]

Thomas was married to George Thomas, a government scientist, and they had four daughters.

Career and research

Thomas began her professional career in 1945 at Sylvania Electric Products, where she became the head of the Phosphor Research and Development Section in 1970. During her time at Sylvania she established their first phosphor pilot plants. She also taught chemistry in Boston University's evening division between 1952 and 1970. She was a director of technical services at GTE Electrical Products Group in Danvers, Massachusetts, US.

Thomas held over 20 patents for improving lighting technology and manufacturing, covering, for example, fluorescent lamps and phosphor chemistry.[3][4][5][6][7] One of her most important contributions was the development of a white phosphorus powder coating for fluorescent tubes creating a much more daylight-like light.[8] She also developed a phosphor-based treatment that increase the brightness of mercury lamps by 10%.[9]

Awards and honours

Thomas was awarded the Achievement Award of the Society of Women Engineers 1965.[10][11] The award was given "in recognition of her significant contributions to the science of chemistry as an engineer, educator, and administrator, while fulfilling her duties as a wife and mother."[12]

In 1991 she was named the New England Inventor by the Museum of Science in Boston, an award given to individuals "whose application of science and technology, creativity, and independent thought has positively impacted society".[2]

She was the recipient of a Distinguished Alumni Award from Boston University.[13]

References
  1. 1933-, Stanley, Autumn (1995). Mothers and daughters of invention : notes for a revised history of technology. New Brunswick, N.J.: Rutgers University Press. ISBN 0813521971. OCLC 31782818.CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link)
  2. "Boston Museum Honors GTE Chemist With 1991 New England Inventor Award". The Scientist. Retrieved 2018-03-30.
  3. Fluorescent lamp, 1959-05-01, retrieved 2018-03-30
  4. Process for reclaiming yttrium orthovanadate phosphors, 1970-06-30, retrieved 2018-03-30
  5. Discharge lamp and phosphor, 1956-03-02, retrieved 2018-03-30
  6. Flame process for manufacturing phosphors, 1970-12-31, retrieved 2018-03-30
  7. High pressure mercury vapor lamp, 1956-03-02, retrieved 2018-03-30
  8. E., Hatch, Sybil (2006). Changing our world : true stories of women engineers. Reston, Va.: American Society of Civil Engineers. ISBN 0784408351. OCLC 62330858.
  9. "The Society of Women Egineers Achievement Award Booklet" (PDF).
  10. "Past Award Recipients - Achievement | Society of Women Engineers". societyofwomenengineers.swe.org. Retrieved 2018-03-30.
  11. Fowler, Elizabeth M. (1965-08-04). "Radcliffe Girl's Success Formula; A Chemist Since '45, She Has 7 Patents and 4 Children A WOMAN CHEMIST WITH SUCCESS KEY". The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved 2018-03-30.
  12. "PEOPLE". Chemical & Engineering News Archive. 43 (28): 118–122. 1965-07-12. doi:10.1021/cen-v043n028.p118. ISSN 0009-2347.
  13. "Distinguished Alumni Award Recipients | Arts & Sciences". www.bu.edu. Retrieved 2018-03-30.
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