Chemistry Department, University of Toronto
Date: 1956-7
Artifact No.: CSTM 1991.0395

John C. Polanyi and Ken Cashion used this equipment to produce chemical reactions between hydrogen atoms and chlorine molecules and to then determine the distribution of energy in the products resulting from the reaction. These experiments gave insight into the nature of the forces operating in chemical reactions when chemical bonds break and new ones form. This field of research is called reaction dynamics.

John C. Polanyi was awarded the Nobel Prize in Chemistry in 1986.
He is one of the members of the Canadian Science and Engineering Hall of Fame, where the reaction cell may be found in our Innovation Canada exhibition.