Walsh, Alan (1916-1998)

Field of activity
Chemical physicist
NLA Persistent Identifier
http://nla.gov.au/nla.party-1473299

Biographies

(Sir) Alan Walsh was the originator and developer of the atomic absorption method of chemical analysis, which has been described as 'the most significant advance in chemical analysis' in the twentieth century. Walsh claimed this breakthrough came about when he "managed to stop being stupid long enough to see something that should have been obvious all along". The first spectrometer based on his design was produced in Australia during the mid-1960s by Techtron Pty. Ltd. Atomic absorption provided a quick, easy, accurate and highly sensitive method of determining the concentrations of more than sixty-five of the elements, rendering traditional wet-chemical methods obsolete. The method has found important application world-wide in areas as diverse as medicine, agriculture, mineral exploration, metallurgy, food analysis, biochemistry, the wine industry and environmental control. Alan Walsh was leader of the Spectroscopy Section of the CSIRO Division of Chemical Physics from 1946-57 and Assistant Chief of the Division from 1958-76. Taken in part from http://www.science.org.au/academy/memoirs/walsh2.htm

  • c. 1935 - c. 1937 Education - Bachelor of Science (BSc) completed at the University of Manchester, UK
  • 1938 Career position - Postgraduate studies in the Physics Department of the Manchester College of Technology
  • 1939 - 1944 Career position - Investigator in the Physics Section of the British Non-Ferrous Metals Research Association
  • 1944 Career position - Deputy Chief Chemist at the Metal and Produce Recovery Depot, Ministry of Aircraft Production in Durham, UK (secondment)
  • 1944 Education - Master of Science (MSc Tech) completed at the University of Manchester
  • 1945 - 1946 Career position - Chief Spectroscopist at the British Non-Ferrous Metals Research Association
  • 1947 - 1958 Career position - Leader of Spectroscopy Section of the CSIR (Council for Scientific and Industrial Research) Division of Industrial Chemistry in Fisherman's Bend, Victoria
  • 1958 - Award - Fellow of the Australian Academy of Science (FAA)
  • 1958 - 1976 Career position - Chief Research Scientist and Assistant Chief (1962c) of the CSIR / CSIRO (Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation) Division of Chemical Physics
  • 1960 Education - Doctor of Science (DSc) received from the University of Manchester
  • 1966 Award - Britannica Australia Science Award received
  • 1966 - 1969 Career position - Council member of the Australian Academy of Science
  • 1967 Award - Einstein Memorial Lecturer presented to the Australian Institute of Physics
  • 1967 - 1968 Career position - President of the Australian Institute of Physics
  • 1969 - Award - Fellow of the Royal Society (FRS)
  • 1969 - Career position - Foreign member of the Royal Academy of Sciences, Stockholm
  • 1969 Award - Royal Society of Victoria Research Medal received
  • 1969 Career position - Honorary member of the Society of Analytical Chemistry, London
  • 1970 Education - Doctor of Science honoris causa (Hon DSc) received from Monash University in Victoria
  • 1972 - Career position - Honorary Fellow of the Chemical Society of London
  • 1975 - Career position - Honorary member of the Royal Society of New Zealand
  • 1975 Award - James Cook Medal received from the Royal Society of New South Wales
  • 1976 Award - Knight Bachelor (Kt cr)
  • 1976 Award - Torbern Bergman Medal received from the Swedish Chemical Society
  • 1977 - Career position - Honorary Fellow at Monash University
  • 1977 - Career position - Consultant to Perkin-Elmer Corporation in the USA
  • 1980 Award - Matthew Flinders Medal received from the Australian Academy of Science
  • 1982 - Award - Fellow of the Australian Academy of Technological Sciences and Engineering (FTSE)
  • 1982 Award - Robert Boyle Medal received from the Royal Society of Chemistry
  • 1986 Education - Doctor of Science honoris causa (Hon DSc) received from the University of Manchester

View the full record at Encyclopedia of Australian Science

Related people and organisations

Resources for Alan Walsh

Selected resources (8)

Encyclopedia of Australian Science

  1. Sir Alan WalshCSIROpedia : Sir Alan Walsh
    Ward, C.
    [2011]
    Series: http://csiropedia.csiro.au/display/CSIROpedia/Walsh%2C+Sir+Alan
  2. Alan Walsh 1916-1998Historical Records of Australian Science 13 2 179-206 : Alan Walsh 1916-1998
    Hannaford, Peter
    [2000]
  3. Alan Walsh and the First Atomic Absorption Spectometer
    Series: http://www.chemistry.nmsu.edu/Instrumentation/AAS_Walsh.html
  4. Surprise and Enterprise: Fifty Years of Science for Australia
    McKay, Andrew
    [1976]
    Published: CSIRO
  5. Albert Lloyd George Rees 1916-1989Historical Records of Australian Science 9 1 31-47 : Albert Lloyd George Rees 1916-1989
    Walsh, A. and Willis, J. B.
    [1992]
  6. Exhibition Papers
    [1997]
    Published: Australian Science Archives Project
    Series: http://www.asap.unimelb.edu.au/bsparcs/exhib/papers/exhib_papers.htm
  7. Optical Instruments in Australia in the 1939-45 War: successes and lost opportunitiesAustralian Physicist : Optical Instruments in Australia in the 1939-45 War: successes and lost opportunities
    Bolton, H. C.
    [1990]
    Series: http://www.asap.unimelb.edu.au/bsparcs/exhib/papers/bolton2.htm
  8. Technology in Australia 1788-1988
    Academy of Technological Sciences and Engineering
    [2000]
    Published: Australian Science and Technology Heritage Centre
    Series: http://www.austehc.unimelb.edu.au/tia/

Resources by Alan Walsh (2)

  1. The CSIRO Division of Industrial Chemistry 1940-1952 / by Ian W. Wark, preface by Alan Walsh
    Wark, Ian Sir, 1899-
    [ Book : 1979 ]
    This resource is very relevant to your query (score: 1.83)

    This resource is very relevant to your query (score: 1.83)

  2. A long shot that paid off
    CSIRO. Division of Applied Organic Chemistry
    [ Video : 1970 ]
    This resource is likely to be relevant to your query (score: 1.609)

    This resource is likely to be relevant to your query (score: 1.609)

Resources about Alan Walsh (1)

  1. Sir Alan Walsh : 19 December 1916-3 August 1998 / by Peter Hannaford
    Hannaford, Peter
    [ Book : 2000 ]
    This resource is very relevant to your query (score: 9.737)

    This resource is very relevant to your query (score: 9.737)

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  1. Spartacus (Australian context)
    Spartacus (Australian context)
    Created by NLAdance, 16 items.

    Laszlo Seregi's Spartacus was the first full-length ballet by a Central-European choreographer to be staged for an Australian company. Choreographed for the Hungarian State Ballet in 1968,...

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    DRAKE - Thomas Edward (1885-1947)
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    2620 Driver Thomas Edward DRAKE 8th Infantry Brigade, 30th Infantry Battalion, 5th Reinforcements WW1was known as Thomas Edward (Andrew) DRAKE to distinguish him from his Father who was also...

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  3. La Fille mal gardee (Australian context)
    La Fille mal gardee (Australian context)
    Created by NLAdance, 11 items.

    The Royal Ballet premiered Frederick Ashton's version of La Fille mal gardee at the Royal Opera House, Covent Garden, London, on 26 January 1960. The opening night cast was led by Nadia Ne...

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    This resource may only be vaguely related to your query: matching terms may only have been found in the full text contents of the resource (score: 0)

  1. Principles of atomic absorption, em...
    Walsh, Alan
    [ Photograph : 1979 ]
  2. Australian national team defeated b...
    Truscott, Alan
    The New York Times
    [ Poster, chart, other, Article : 1983 ]
  1. The dating potential of rock art in the Kimberley, NW Australia
    Morwood, M. J; Walsh, Grahame; Watchman, Alan L
    Rock Art Research
    [ Map, Article : 1994 ]
    View online (conditions apply)
    This resource may only be vaguely related to your query: matching terms may only have been found in the full text contents of the resource (score: 0.031)

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  2. Language and territoriality in Aboriginal Australia
    Rumsey, Alan
    Language and Culture in Aboriginal Australia
    [ Article, Map, Book : 904-2012 ]
    View online (access conditions)
    At AIATSIS Library
    This resource may only be vaguely related to your query: matching terms may only have been found in the full text contents of the resource (score: 0.031)

    This resource may only be vaguely related to your query: matching terms may only have been found in the full text contents of the resource (score: 0.031)

  3. The story of Lotus
    Sutcliffe, Stephen; Conway, Gavin; Cropley, Steve; Walsh, Mick; Frankel, Andrew; Crombac, Jabby; Henry, Alan; Arnold, Graham; Chapman, Colin; Burgess-...
    Autocar
    [ Poster, chart, other, Map, Article : 1998 ]
    This resource may only be vaguely related to your query: matching terms may only have been found in the full text contents of the resource (score: 0.011)

    This resource may only be vaguely related to your query: matching terms may only have been found in the full text contents of the resource (score: 0.011)

  1. Birdy and the ghosties / Jill Paton Walsh ; illustrated by Alan Marks
    Paton Walsh, Jill, 1937-
    [ Book : 1989-2008 ]
    At 21 libraries
    Birdy and the ghosties / Jill Paton Walsh ; illustrated by Alan Marks
    This resource may be of limited relevance to your query (score: 0.292)

    This resource may be of limited relevance to your query (score: 0.292)

  2. Campbell's urology / editor-in-chief, Patrick C. Walsh ; editors, Alan B. Retik ... [et al.]
    Campbell, Meredith F. (Meredith Fairfax), 1894-
    [ Book, Article : 1997-2002 ]
    View online (access conditions)
    At 30 libraries
    Campbell's urology / editor-in-chief, Patrick C. Walsh ; editors, Alan B. Retik ... [et al.]
    This resource may be of limited relevance to your query (score: 0.271)

    This resource may be of limited relevance to your query (score: 0.271)

  3. Thomas and the tinners / Jill Paton Walsh ; illustrated by Alan Marks
    Paton Walsh, Jill, 1937-
    [ Book : 1995-2008 ]
    At 18 libraries
    Thomas and the tinners / Jill Paton Walsh ; illustrated by Alan Marks
    This resource may be of limited relevance to your query (score: 0.268)

    This resource may be of limited relevance to your query (score: 0.268)

  4. Campbell-Walsh urology
    Campbell, Meredith F. (Meredith Fairfax), 1894-1968
    [ Book : 2007-2012 ]
    Possibly online
    At 27 libraries
    Campbell-Walsh urology
    This resource may be of limited relevance to your query (score: 0.252)

    This resource may be of limited relevance to your query (score: 0.252)

  1. Tom Walsh interviewed by Alan Musgrove in the Alan Musgrove collection
    Walsh, Tom, b. 1927
    [ Sound : 2006 ]
    At National Library
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    This resource may be of limited relevance to your query (score: 0.174)

  2. Tom Walsh interviewed by Alan Musgrove in the Alan Musgrove folklore collection
    Walsh, Tom, b. 1927
    [ Sound : 2006 ]
    At National Library
    This resource may be of limited relevance to your query (score: 0.162)

    This resource may be of limited relevance to your query (score: 0.162)

  3. Bringing out the best in people : how to enjoy helping others to excel / [Alan Loy McGinnis]
    McGinnis, Alan Loy
    Reader's Digest (Canadian)
    [ Book, Audio book, Article : 1985-2012 ]
    Languages: English, Panjabi, Chinese
    At 12 libraries
    Bringing out the best in people : how to enjoy helping others to excel / [Alan Loy McGinnis]
    This resource may be of limited relevance to your query (score: 0.119)

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  4. High Sierra
    Warner Bros. Pictures
    [ Video : 1941-2006 ]
    Languages: English, Multiple languages, Italian, [2 others]
    At 17 libraries
    High Sierra
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  1. AT THE HAMILTON GOLF LINKS.
    The Brisbane Courier (Qld. : 1864 - 1933) Saturday 9 June 1923 p 23 Article Illustrated
    ... AT THE HAMILTON GOLF LINKS. 'Some of the spectators on Thurs day afternoon, Mr. J. A. Walsh, Me sdames Wallis Hoare and Alan Jeffray, and others. ... 26 words
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  2. 'Coppelia' rehearsal [coming soon]
    The Canberra Times (ACT : 1926 - 1995) Saturday 2 June 1979 p 1 Article Illustrated
    ... 'Coppelia' rehearsal Picture: GERRIT FOKKEMA Alan Alder as Dr Coppclius and Christine Walsh as Swanhilda rehearse the Australian Ballet. production of 'Coppelia' yesterday. The season opens today at the Canberra Theatre ... 31 words
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  3. MORWELL PIG MARKET
    Morwell Advertiser (Morwell, Vic. : 1888 - 1954) Thursday 22 July 1937 Edition: morning. p 4 Article
    ... MORWELL PIG MARKET McLean & Little Ltd. report small yarding of pigs at Morwell 21st July. Principal prices-Walsh Bios. £4/ 14/6, Alan' McFarlane £4/6/6, A. T. Adam £4/4/6, Walsh Bros. £4/2/6, A. McFarlane, light weight, £3/15/6, others to £3//9/6; backfatters to £6/16/; stores to £1/5/6; calves ... 49 words
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  1. Website: Bright sparcs
    www.eoas.info
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    View 379 matching archived pages
    This resource is likely to be relevant to your query (score: 0.201)

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  2. Website: Statement by Alan Carpenter
    www.mediastatements.wa.gov.au
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    View 43 matching archived pages
    This resource may have relevance to your query (score: 0.013)

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  3. Website: The Hon Alan J Carpenter MLA
    www.mediastatements.wa.gov.au
    Matching pages:
    • Microsoft Word - Document2 - 4/9/2008
    • ... Central TAFE, Perth Graeme Walsh Central West TAFE, Geraldton John Forrest Challenger TAFE, Murdoch...
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  1. Alan Walsh 1916-1998
    Hannaford, Peter; Swinburne University of Technology. School of Biophysical Sciences and Electrical Engineering
    Historical Records of Australian Science
    [ Article : 2000 ]
    View online
    At Swinburne Uni Tech
    This resource is very relevant to your query (score: 1.562)

    This resource is very relevant to your query (score: 1.562)

  2. Alan Walsh 1916-1998
    Hannaford, Peter; Swinburne University of Technology. School of Biophysical Sciences and Electrical Engineering
    [ Article : 2000 ]
    View online
    At Swinburne Uni Tech
    This resource is very relevant to your query (score: 1.314)

    This resource is very relevant to your query (score: 1.314)

  3. Alan Walsh 1916-1998
    Hannaford, P
    Historical Records of Australian Science
    [ Article : 2000 ]
    View online (access conditions)
    At CSIRO Publishing
    This resource is likely to be relevant to your query (score: 0.547)

    This resource is likely to be relevant to your query (score: 0.547)

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    Campbell, Meredith F. (Meredith Fairfax), 1894-
    [ Book, Article : 1997-2002 ]
    View online (access conditions)
    At 30 libraries
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    This resource may have relevance to your query (score: 0.265)

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