James Thomson (engineer)

James Thomson ( born February 16, 1822 in Belfast, † 8 May 1892 in Glasgow ) was an Irish engineer, physicist and inventor whose meaning is outshone by his younger brother William Thomson, who is known as " Lord Kelvin ".

He was born in Belfast but grew up most of his time in Glasgow. His father was a mathematics professor since 1832 at the University of Glasgow. The son went to the University of Youth and made ​​even as a teenager an excellent conclusion. Then he made several short practical training for engineers from different disciplines and engaged after long periods with theoretical and mathematical studies, often with his brother in Glasgow. Late twenties he became an independent engineer with the special direction of water transport. In 1855 he became Professor of Civil Engineering at Queen's University of Belfast, where he remained until 1873, when he was appointed to Glasgow to the Chair of Civil Engineering and Mechanics, where he was a predecessor of the influential William Rankine. He was retired in 1889 and died in 1892.

James Thomson is known for his work on the improvement of water wheels, water pumps and turbines, as well as for his innovations in the study of refreezing, the influence of pressure on the freezing point of water. He also studied in glaciology the movement of glaciers, where he expanded the work of James David Forbes. Furthermore, he studied the experimental work of his colleague Thomas Andrews on continuity of liquid and gaseous matter, and strengthened the understanding, by applying his good knowledge of thermodynamics. He also provided contributions to the field of flow dynamics of rivers and geology.

James Thomson's most important research publications in physics and engineering were re-released in a 500-page collection after his death. This is freely available (see below ) online. This also includes a longer ( 80 pages) and a shorter biography (10 pages). It also says that Thomson was the first to radian the words, has used interface and apocentric in English, although he also related numerous neologisms that do not sat down.

His inventions include a diffuser for Francis turbines and the Thomson weir. He also is associated with preparatory work on the invention of the refrigerator in connection that may be more to his brother William, however, are attributable.