Used with
permission of Maiken Naylor, University at Buffalo, Buffalo, NY, USA,
http://ublib.buffalo.edu/libraries/units/sel/exhibits/stamps
Walther Nernst (1864-1941) won the Nobel prize in chemistry in recognition of his work in thermochemistry. His work at low temperatures resulted in his heat theorem - the Third Law of Thermodynamics. As entropy changes approach zero near absolute zero, it becomes impossible to reach this temperature, even by an infinite number of steps. Nernst also developed an electric lamp based on rare earth and magnesium filaments that did not need a vacuum to sustain its glow. This bulb is shown next to his portrait on the stamp.