// Workers AI · dad joke modeIs Mihkel Veiderma a great runner? He's a veider fast guy.
Mihkel Veiderma | |
|---|---|
 Veiderma in 2008 | |
| Born | 27 December 1929 Tallinn, Estonia |
| Died | 25 October 2018 (aged 88) Tallinn, Estonia |
| Citizenship | Estonian |
| Known for | Research on apatites, phosphorus compounds, phosphorite and oil shale |
| Awards | Order of the White Star, 3rd Class National Science Prize (2006) Mente et Manu medal (2008) |
| Academic background | |
| Alma mater | Tallinn University of Technology |
| Thesis | Research into processing obolus phosphorites into phosphorus fertilisers and feed phosphates (1972) |
| Academic work | |
| Discipline | Chemistry |
Sub-discipline | Inorganic chemistry, chemical technology |
| Institutions | Tallinn University of Technology |
Mihkel Veiderma (27 December 1929 – 25 October 2018) was an Estonian chemist and academic whose work focused on inorganic chemistry, especially the chemistry and technology of phosphorus compounds, apatites, phosphorite and related mineral resources.[1][2] He spent most of his career at Tallinn University of Technology, became a member of the Estonian Academy of Sciences in 1975, and later served as the academy's vice-president, secretary-general and board member.[1][3] From 1992 to 1994 he was director of the Office of the President of Estonia.[1]
Early life and education
[edit]Veiderma was born in Tallinn, the son of the educator and politician Aleksander Veiderma.[1][4] He began his schooling at J. Westholm Gymnasium and graduated from Tallinn Secondary School of Science in 1948 with a gold medal.[4][2] In 1953 he graduated cum laude from the Department of Chemistry of Tallinn Polytechnic Institute.[1][2]
He continued his specialist training in Moscow at the Research Institute of Fertilizers and Insectofungicides, where he defended a Candidate of Sciences dissertation in 1965 and a doctoral dissertation in 1972. His doctoral work dealt with the processing of obolus phosphorites into phosphorus fertilisers and feed phosphates, and he was awarded a professorship in 1973.[1][2]
Career and research
[edit]After graduating from university, Veiderma worked for seven years at the Maardu Chemical Combine, including as its chief engineer from 1956 to 1960.[1][5] He then moved to Tallinn Polytechnic Institute, where he served as associate professor of chemical technology, scientific supervisor of the Laboratory of Mineral Fertilisers, professor and head of the Department of Inorganic and Analytical Chemistry, and dean of the chemistry faculty. He became professor emeritus in 1997.[1][2]
Veiderma's research centred on the chemistry and technology of inorganic phosphorus compounds. According to the academy's biographical yearbook, he studied the composition, properties and reactions of natural apatites, phase transitions and thermal processes in phosphate-containing systems, as well as new technologies for the use of phosphates and the neutralisation and reuse of industrial waste.[1] The science portal Novaator similarly described his work as helping to advance methods for rendering industrial emissions less harmful and for reusing industrial waste.[6]
An external evaluation of Estonian chemistry research published in 2001 described the Veiderma–Kuusik group as having achieved notable results in sulphur dioxide removal from fuel gases, thermogravimetric analysis of apatite at high temperatures, infrared analysis of transition-metal-doped apatite structures, and the use of apatite as a sorbent for hazardous metals.[7] The present-day Laboratory of Inorganic Materials at Tallinn University of Technology traces its origins to the Laboratory of Mineral Fertilizers that Veiderma established in 1965.[8]
He was also active in research and public discussion concerning Estonia's mineral resources and energy policy, particularly phosphorite and oil shale.[1][2] Over the course of his career he authored or co-authored more than 230 scientific articles, compiled or edited 12 books and collections, and supervised numerous doctoral theses and diploma papers.[1]
Academic and public service
[edit]Veiderma was elected a member of the Estonian Academy of Sciences in 1975 in the field of inorganic chemistry.[3][1] Within the academy he served as vice-president from 1988 to 1999, secretary-general from 1999 to 2004, and a member of the board from 2004 to 2009.[1] He was also long associated with the academy's Energy Council and took part in national science-policy and energy-policy bodies.[1][2]
From 1992 to 1994 he served as director of the Office of the President of Estonia.[1][4] He was additionally a member of the Academic Council of the President of the Republic, the Estonian Science Foundation and several national and international scientific committees.[2]
Veiderma was an honorary member of the Estonian Chemical Society and the Estonian Naturalists' Society, a foreign member of the Finnish Academies of Technology, and a corresponding member of the Finnish Chemical Society.[1] In later life he also wrote on the history of Estonian science and education and remained active in cultural organisations.[1][4]
Honours and recognition
[edit]Veiderma received the Order of the White Star, 3rd Class, in 1998.[9][1] In 2001 he was awarded the Medal of the Academies of the Baltic States for promoting cooperation between academies, and in 2006 he received Estonia's National Science Prize for long-standing achievements in research and development.[1][10] Tallinn University of Technology awarded him its Mente et Manu medal in 2008.[11]
Selected works
[edit]References
[edit]- 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 Estonian Academy of Sciences Yearbook 2009 (PDF). Estonian Academy of Sciences. 2010. pp. 74–75. Retrieved 26 March 2026.
- 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 "Mihkel Veiderma 27.12.1929–25.10.2018" (PDF). Estonian Academy of Sciences. 25 October 2018. Retrieved 26 March 2026.
- 1 2 "Academy". Estonian Academy of Sciences. Retrieved 26 March 2026.
- 1 2 3 4 "In memoriam akadeemik Mihkel Veiderma, hea kolleeg ja suure kultuuriga sõber". Under and Tuglas Literature Centre of the Estonian Academy of Sciences. 25 October 2018. Retrieved 26 March 2026.
- ↑ "Mihkel Veiderma 27. XII 1929 – 25. X 2018". Sirp. 2 November 2018. Retrieved 26 March 2026.
- 1 2 "Suri Eesti maavarade kasutamist uurinud akadeemik Mihkel Veiderma". Novaator. ERR. 25 October 2018. Retrieved 26 March 2026.
- ↑ Pekka Pyykkö; Karl Jug; Jean-Claude Charpentier; Krzysztof Rzyman (2001). Evaluation of Estonian Research in Physical, Inorganic and Analytical Chemistry (PDF) (Report). Estonian Higher Education Accreditation Center. p. 18. Retrieved 26 March 2026.
- ↑ "Laboratory of Inorganic Materials". Tallinn University of Technology. Retrieved 26 March 2026.
- ↑ "Recipients of national orders". Tallinn University of Technology. Retrieved 26 March 2026.
- ↑ "National Science Prize : [in 2006 : for long-term achievements in research and development : was awarded to Mihkel Veiderma]". TalTech Research Portal. Retrieved 26 March 2026.
- ↑ "University acknowledges". Tallinn University of Technology. Retrieved 26 March 2026.
- ↑ Veiderma, Mihkel (2001). Eestile mõeldes. Vabariigi Presidendi Akadeemiline Nõukogu 1994–2001. Tallinn: Teaduste Akadeemia Kirjastus. ISBN 9985503252.
- ↑ Veiderma, Mihkel (2009). Tagasivaade eluteele. Tallinn: Eesti Keele Sihtasutus. ISBN 9789985792841.
- ↑ Tõnsuaadu, Kaia; Gross, Kārlis Agris; Plūduma, Liene; Veiderma, Mihkel (2012). "A review on the thermal stability of calcium apatites". Journal of Thermal Analysis and Calorimetry. 110 (2): 647–659. doi:10.1007/s10973-011-1877-y.