February is Black History Month, a time for celebrating the significant contributions of African Americans to the history of the United States. From the civil rights movement to the fight for racial justice, African Americans have inspired and created a lasting impact on the nation.
In recent years, the celebration of Black History Month has extended to recognize the achievements of African Americans in energy research, oil and gas development, and related fields.
Energy Research
Black Americans have made significant contributions to energy research since the early twentieth century. One of the earliest African American energy researchers was Dr. Ernest Everett Just, a biologist who conducted research on the fertilization of sea urchin eggs in the 1920s. Just’s work formed the basis for modern-day studies in cell biology, and his work was among the first to demonstrate the role of calcium in the fertilization process. Just received the Spingarn Medal in 1937 for his scientific achievements.
In the 1940s, African American chemist Percy Julian became renowned for his work in synthesizing steroids from plant sources. He developed a process for producing steroid hormones, including cortisone and other hormones used to treat a variety of medical conditions. His research was groundbreaking and helped pave the way for modern-day pharmacology.
In the 1950s, African American chemist George Washington Carver developed a process for synthesizing rubber from soybeans. Carver’s work was instrumental in developing a renewable source of rubber for tire production, which had previously relied heavily on imported rubber from Asia and South America.
Carver also developed methods for producing a variety of organic products, such as plastics and detergents, from agricultural sources.
Dr. Lonnie Johnson is a former nuclear engineer for the Oak Ridge National Laboratory and a United States Air Force veteran, he also worked in the Jet Propulsion Laboratory at NASA where he had a hand in sending spacecraft to Mars, Jupiter and Saturn. He also has more than 100 patents and invented the top-selling water toy of all time – The Super Soaker.
Kétévi Assamagan is a physicist at the Department of Energy’s Brookhaven National Laboratory, he also started the African School of Physics, funded by the Brookhaven Lab. Additionally, he explores huge quantities of data from the Large Hadron Collider at CERN in Europe in search of new physics.
Dr. Novella Bridges is named one of the “Most Distinguished Women” in chemistry and chemical engineering by the American Chemical Society and a recipient of the Pacific Northwest National Laboratory Fitzner-Eberhardt Award for outstanding contributions to science and engineering education; she also worked with the Department of Energy’s PNNL.
She has extensive experience with leading research in radioisotope composites for cancer, reduction of diesel emissions in vehicles, production of hydrogen for fuel cells, and more.
Oil and Gas Development
Black Americans have also made significant contributions to the development of oil and gas resources. In the 1950s, African American engineer William Henry Jackson developed a process for producing oil from shale. Jackson’s work, which was the first of its kind in the United States, made it possible to extract oil from shale in a cost-effective manner.
In the 1960s, African American engineer Alonzo Fields developed a technique for producing gas from coal. Fields’ work revolutionized the gas industry and allowed for the production of natural gas from underground coal deposits. This process is still used today and is one of the most cost-effective ways of producing natural gas.
In the 1970s, African American engineer Edward W. Thomas developed a process for producing oil from sand. Thomas’ work demonstrated that it was possible to extract oil from sand, which had previously been thought to be an impractical source of oil. Thomas’ work made it possible to produce oil from sand in a cost-effective manner, and his work revolutionized the oil industry.
Conclusion
Black History Month is an important time for celebrating the achievements of African Americans in energy research and oil and gas development. From Ernest Everett Just to Alonzo Fields, African Americans have made significant contributions to the energy industry.
Their work has revolutionized the way we produce and use energy and has opened the door to a more sustainable energy future. As we celebrate Black History Month, it is important to recognize the contributions of African Americans to the energy industry and to celebrate their achievements.
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