Henry T. Sampson

Biography

Born in Jackson, Mississippi, Henry T. Sampson received a Bachelor of Science degree from Purdue University in 1956. He went on to the University of California, Los Angeles where he graduated with an MS degree in engineering in 1961; University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, MS in Nuclear Engineering in 1965, and a PHD in 1967.

On 6 July 1971, Dr. Sampson invented the gamma-electric cell, which pertains to nuclear reactor use. This invention produces stable high-voltage output and current to detect radiation in the ground. The gamma-electric cell converted nuclear radiation into electricity without the need for a heat cycle.

Henry T. Sampson worked as a research Chemical Engineer at the US Naval Weapons Center, China Lake, California, from 1956 to 1961. He then moved on to the Aerospace Corp, El Segundo, California. His titles include: Project Engineer, 1967-81, director of Planning and Operations Directorate of Space Test Program, 1981-, and Co-inventor of gamma-electric cell. He holds patents related to solid rocket motors and conversion of nuclear energy into electricity. He also pioneered a study of internal ballistics of solid rocket motors using high-speed photography.

In addition, Henry Sampson was a producer of documentary films on early black filmmakers and films and a technical consultant to Historical Black Colleges and Universities Program.