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From 1821, for the next twenty years, Faraday made one scientific discovery after another, both in chemistry and electricity. In 1823, he worked on the liquification of gases. His first major contribution to chemistry, the discovery of benzene, followed two years later. He discovered the laws of electrolysis in 1832 and the laws of electrochemistry the following year. He devised new scientific words like "electrolysis," "cathode" and "anode."
He was thirty years old when he discovered the principle of electromagnetic rotation; forty years old when he discovered the law of electromagnetic induction, which allowed him to produce the first electrical generator and transformer; and fifty-four years old when he discovered the magneto-optical effect and diamagnetism.
In 1824, Faraday was elected a fellow of the Royal Society. Davy opposed his election but was overruled. Davy nominated him for the position of secretary of the newly founded club the Athenaeum. As soon as the club had become well established, Faraday resigned the office of secretary while remaining an ordinary member. In the mid-1820's, Faraday, an excellent and eloquent lecturer, established the Royal Institution Christmas Lectures, a celebrated series for young people. From 1829 to 1852, he was professor of chemistry at the Royal Military Academy at Woolwich. He was in demand to give practical advice, commercial analysis, expert testimony, and public service. For example, in 1836 he became chief scientific adviser to Trinity House, the foundation responsible for the maintenance of coastal installations such as lighthouses and buoys.
In 1832, Faraday received honors for his major contributions to science and an honorary degree from Oxford University. In February, 1833, he became Fullerian Professor of Chemistry at the Royal Institution. Further honors, such as the Royal Medal and the Copley Medal from the Royal Society, followed. In 1836, he was made a member of the Senate of the University of London.
Extremely overworked, Faraday had a nervous breakdown in 1839. As soon as he regained his health in 1845, he resumed work on magnetism as a follow-up of William Thomson's mathematical treatment of his ideas on "lines of force." This led to Faraday's discovery of diamagnetism. By the mid-1850's, Faraday was spent but continued to deliver his Christmas lectures. He gave lectures on various forces of matter and on the popular chemical history of the candle. In 1864, he declined the presidency of the Royal Society, and he resigned all remaining duties the following year. Queen Victoria gave him a Grace and Favour House at Hampton Court, a tribute to his distinction. As his mental faculties declined, Faraday gracefully retreated from the scientific world he dearly loved.
Faraday is considered one of the greatest experimental scientists in history, best remembered for his work in electricity. His discoveries and inventions have become viable for use in technology.
Electricity generation in large powered stations and portable generators use Faraday's principle of electromagnetic induction. His electromagnetic rotary device formed the foundation of the electric motor. Televisions, computers, radios, washing machines, vacuum cleaners, CD-players, food mixers, and myriad domestic appliances rely on transformers, the first of which was invented by Faraday.
In chemistry, Faraday is remembered for his discovery of benzene, an aromatic chemical compound that has been used in various types of medicines, perfumes, and dyes. He discovered toluene and the xylenes, starting materials for a wide range of consumer products. Transport relies on components made from aromatic-based products. For example, a car's body, bumpers, lighting, dashboard, seats, upholstery, and underbonnet components are all derived from aromatics. Some derivatives of benzene are key ingredients of aspirin and penicillin. Plastic, acrylic, and nylon are reliant on aromatics.
Faraday's groundwork for the magnetic field concept was extended to form the basis of the first full mathematical description of the nature and interaction of electricity and magnetism, known as the electromagnetic theory. After his death, work was taken up by James Clerk Maxwell, whose theory of the electromagnetic field was built on the foundations laid by Faraday.
Faraday's final series of lectures were published and became classics. The Royal Institution Christmas Lectures, established by Faraday in the mid-1820's, continue to this day and reach a wide audience through television.
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