Charles A. Kraus

{{Short description|American chemist}}

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| name = Charles August Kraus

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| birth_date = {{birth date |1875|08|15}}

| birth_place = Knightsville, Indiana

| death_date = {{death date and age |1967|06|27 |1875|08|15}}

| death_place = Providence, Rhode Island

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| workplaces = University of California
M.I.T.
Clark University
Brown University

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| education = Hayes City High School

| alma_mater = University of Kansas {{small|(B.S., 1898)}}
M.I.T. {{small|(PhD, 1908)}}

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| known_for = Pioneering work in Physical Chemistry of liquid ammonia systems, Metallo-organic compounds, and Conductance in non-aqueous solvents.

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| awards = William H. Nichols Medal {{small|(1924)}}
Theodore William Richards Medal {{small|(1935)}}
Willard Gibbs Medal {{small|(1935)}}
Franklin Medal {{small|(1938)}}
Navy Distinguished Public Service Award {{small|(1948)}}
Priestley Medal {{small|(1950)}}

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Charles August Kraus (August 15, 1875 – June 27, 1967) was an American chemist. He was professor of chemistry and director of the chemical laboratories at Clark University, where he directed the Chemical Warfare Service during World War I.

Later, he became professor of chemistry and director of the chemical laboratories at Brown University, and was a consultant to the Manhattan Project to develop the atomic bomb. His research contributed to the development of the ultraviolet lamp, to pyrex, and to the production of a leaded form of ethyl gasoline. He investigated the electrical conductance of liquid ammonia alkali metal solutions contributing to the development of the concept of solvated electron. He published more than 225 research papers.

He was a member of the National Academy of Sciences, American Academy of Sciences, American Philosophical Society, American Chemical Society, American Physical Society, American Association of University Professors, Faraday Society,

Washington Academy of Sciences, and an Honorary Fellow of the Franklin Institute.