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What wartime projects did Linus Pauling work on during World War II?
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Linus Pauling
Theoretical physical chemist Linus Pauling, photograph by Yousuf Karsh.
During World War II, Linus Pauling shifted his focus from theoretical research to practical scientific contributions for the war effort. His primary wartime projects included:
- The development of an artificial substitute for blood serum to assist wounded soldiers.1
- The creation of an oxygen detector designed for use in submarines and airplanes.1
Although J. Robert Oppenheimer invited Pauling to lead the chemistry section of the Manhattan Project, Pauling was unable to accept the position due to health issues related to glomerulonephritis. For his significant contributions to the war effort, he was later awarded the Medal for Merit.1