Wiesław Ptak

Wiesław Stanisław Ptak (16 September 1941 – 11 April 2004) was a Polish chemist, professor of chemical sciences, professor at the AGH University of Science and Technology in Kraków and Dean of the Faculty of Materials Science and Ceramics at AGH (1993–1996). Ptak was a member of the Polish Chemical Society and the International Society for Theoretical Chemical Physics (ISTCP).

Wiesław Ptak
Born(1941-09-16)September 16, 1941
Bieńczyce, (now part of Kraków), Poland
DiedApril 11, 2004(2004-04-11) (aged 62)
Kraków, Poland
CitizenshipPolish
EducationJagiellonian University
OccupationChemist, Dean

Early life

On September 16, 1941, Ptak was born in Bieńczyce, a suburban village near Kraków, Poland. Ptak's grandfather was Franciszek Ptak (1859-1936), an innkeeper and a peasant movement activist. Ptak's grandmother was Marcjanna (née Szafrańska) Ptak. Ptak's father was one of 12 siblings.[1]

Education

Ptak graduated from the Faculty of Mathematics and Physics-Chemistry of the Jagiellonian University. In 1963, Ptak worked at the Department of Ceramics of Silicate at the Faculty of Ceramics of the AGH Academy of Mining and Metallurgy (present day known as AGH University of Science and Technology).[2]

Ptak obtained Ph.D. in chemistry in 1968 on the basis of the dissertation Vibratory spectra in the structure of the serpentine mineral (Widma wibracyjne w strukturze minerału serpentynu) promoted by Roman Pampuch. Ptak held a six-month research internship at the University of Liège. In 1980, Ptak obtained habilitation degree.

Career

In 1991, Ptak was awarded with the title of professor of chemical sciences.[3] In 1996, Ptak assumed the position of full professor at AGH. In 1981–85 and 1991–93, Ptak was the Vice-Dean for Didactics at the AGH and in 1993–1996 he was the Dean of the Faculty of Materials Science and Ceramics. From 1993 until 2004, Ptak was the head of the Department of Refractory, Precious and Technological Ceramics (renamed in 2002 to the Department of Refractory Materials and High Temperature Processes). Ptak specialized in theoretical chemistry and solid-state physics.[4] He dealt with the theory of chemical bonding and interatomic interactions, and worked on the theoretical basis of crystallization from the gas phase. Ptak uthored or co-authored more than 100 publications and several patents,[2] one script and two monographs. He repeatedly appeared at scientific conferences by referring research results.

Ptak taught silicate chemistry and spectroscopic methods for MS and doctoral students; he held lectures on physical chemistry and physics and solid chemistry for Pedagogical School students in Kraków, and lectures on the theory of chemical bonding for doctoral students. His main teaching activity was, however, courses on materials for AGH MS students.[5] Ptak has promoted more than twenty masters of sciences (at AGH and Pedagogical School) and 8 doctors.

Personal life

Ptak had an incurable disease and he was active until his last months. On April 11, 2004, Ptak died in Kraków, Poland. Ptak was buried at the cemetery in Raciborowice,[2] in the family tomb. A stone plaque placed on the grave commemorates him.

Commemoration plaque at the cemetery in Raciborowice.

Ptak was awarded the Gold Cross of Merit and the Medal of the National Education Commission.[2]

See also

References
  1. Franciszek Ptak (1859-1936). XXIX/2. Polish Biographical Dictionary pp287-288.
  2. "Wiesław Stanisław Ptak" (in Polish). historia.agh.edu.pl. Retrieved 30 June 2017.
  3. Kto jest kim w ceramice. Kraków: Wydział Inżynierii Materiałowej i Ceramiki Akademii Górniczo-Hutniczej w Krakowie. 1999. pp. 122–123. ISBN 9788391188903.
  4. "Wiesław Ptak w bazie Ludzi nauki" (in Polish). nauka-polska.pl. Retrieved 30 June 2017.
  5. Ptak, Wiesław. "Wykłady z nauki o materiałach dla ceramików" (in Polish). agh.edu.pl. Retrieved 30 June 2017.
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