Tom W. Bonner

Tom Wilkerson Bonner (19 October 1910, Greenville, Texas – 6 December 1961 Houston, Texas) was an American experimental physicist who developed important instruments and techniques for neutron physics and nuclear physics (Bonner sphere).

[1][2] Bonner earned his bachelor's degree in physics from SMU in 1931 and his PhD from Rice University in 1934.

At Rice University, he became an instructor in 1936, a professor in 1945, and chair of the physics department in 1947.

He did important work in the development of high-pressure cloud chambers for the study of neutrons produced by accelerators.

[2] On 6 December 1961, at the age of 51 Bonner died in Houston, Texas of acute myocardial infarction.