Liesegang Prize

Raphael Eduard Liesegang (November 1, 1869 – November 13, 1947) studied chemistry in Freiburg, but he did not complete his academic training properly. Although he was not successful at university, he published numerous scientific articles as a student, e.g. on light-sensitive organic silver salts. During this time he also wrote a book on fundamental problems of electric television. Liesegang began his career in his father’s company, which manufactured various articles for photographic processes. Liesegang invented new light-sensitive paper and photographic developing baths. In 1896 he discovered periodic precipitations in gels and he observed ordered structures later called “Liesegang rings” (dissipative structures). After the death of his father, he sold part of his factory, which later became a mainstay of the Agfa company. In the following years, Liesegang worked in various academic positions, e.g. in a museum, a hospital, a paper factory, and in institutes of biophysics and colloid chemistry. Liesegang’s scientific work is wide and includes more than 500 scientific articles, 13,000 short communications and he has edited more than 50 books. In addition to these scientific works, he also wrote 14 dramas!