Mária Telkes was a Hungarian-American scientist and inventor.

Mária Telkes was a Hungarian-American scientist and inventor who made significant contributions to the field of solar energy. She is best known for her work on the development of the first solar-powered heating system for homes, which used a system of mirrors to concentrate the sun's rays and generate heat. Telkes was a pioneer in the field of renewable energy and her work laid the foundation for many of the solar energy technologies in use today.

Telkes was born in Budapest, Hungary in 1900. She studied chemistry at the University of Budapest and later earned a PhD in physical chemistry from the University of Munich. She immigrated to the United States in 1924 and began working as a researcher at the Westinghouse Electric Corporation.

In the 1930s, Telkes became interested in the potential of solar energy as a renewable and clean source of power. She began conducting research on the use of solar energy to heat buildings, and in 1947 she developed the first solar-powered heating system for homes. The system used a system of mirrors to concentrate the sun's rays and generate heat, which was then stored in a tank of water.

In addition to her work on solar energy, Telkes also made significant contributions to the field of cryogenics. She developed a system for the storage of blood plasma at low temperatures, which was used during World War II to help treat wounded soldiers. She also worked on the development of a portable oxygen generator for use in space travel.

Throughout her career, Telkes received numerous awards and honors for her work. She was the recipient of the American Institute of Chemists Award and the American Chemical Society Award for Creative Work in Applied Chemistry. She was also inducted into the National Inventors Hall of Fame.

Mária Telkes passed away in 1995, but her work continues to be celebrated and remembered as a pioneering contribution to the field of renewable energy. She was a true innovator and her work paved the way for many of the solar energy technologies in use today.

Mária Telkes (1900-1995) was a Hungarian-American scientist and inventor known for her work in solar energy and cryogenics

She studied chemistry at the University of Budapest and earned a PhD in physical chemistry from the University of Munich

Immigrated to the United States in 1924 and worked as a researcher at Westinghouse Electric Corporation

In the 1930s, became interested in solar energy and began researching its use for heating buildings

In 1947, developed the first solar-powered heating system for homes, using mirrors to concentrate the sun's rays and generate heat

Also made significant contributions to the field of cryogenics, including developing a system for storing blood plasma at low temperatures and a portable oxygen generator for space travel

Received many awards and honors for her work, including the American Institute of Chemists Award and induction into the National Inventors Hall of Fame

Telkes' work laid the foundation for many modern solar energy technologies and her innovations continue to be celebrated.