Nikolai N. Semenov (1896–1986) was a physical chemistry scientist and educator, one of the founders of chemical physics. He made a significant contribution to the development of chemical kinetics. He was an Academician of the USSR Academy of Sciences (1932; corresponding member since 1929). He was the sole Soviet Nobel Prize Winner in Chemistry (awarded in 1956 jointly with Cyril Hinshelwood for the development of the theory of chain reactions), twice Hero of Socialist Labor.
His most widely known developments are works in the theory of chain reactions, the discovery (in 1928) of chain branching in chemical reactions characterized by exponential acceleration and subsequent inflaming.
In 1963, N. Semenov in collaboration with A. Shilov defined the role of energy processes (resulting from energy transfer from high-energy products to the initial molecules) in the evolution of chain reactions at high temperatures.
The postal stamp provides a N. Semenov’s portrait, his formula and a branching chain reaction.
| Paper |
Printing method |
Perforation |
Format of the stamp |
Edition |
| Chalk surfaced |
Offset + security system |
Comb 11¾ |
32,5 × 32,5 mm |
135 thousand stamps |