BACCELLI, LIBERATO. - Piarist physicist, born at Lucca on 18 Nov. 1772, died at Modena on 21 Oct. 1835. He taught physics at Correggio and at the University of Bologna, of which he was also rector during the Napoleonic period. After the Restoration of 1815, he returned to Correggio, then went to the University of Modena as professor of experimental physics. He was among the most distinguished physicists of his time. In 1821, a few months after Oerstedt’s communication, he published his researches on electromagnetic phenomena, rivaling Faraday, Ampère, and Arago. His studies and discoveries in chemistry, hydraulics, and optics were likewise noteworthy. He must be credited with the liquefaction of ammonia gas, which he achieved in 1811, twelve years before Faraday’s experiments.
BIBLI: L. Picanyol, Un grande scienziato, p. L. B. delle Scuole Pie, Roma 1936; G. Provenzal, Rivendicazioni scientifiche italiane. La liquefazione dei gas. L. B. Prof. di fisica sperimentale nella Università di Bologna (1772-1835). Nuove esperienze sullo stringimento e distendimento dei Buidi seriformi per virtù di aumentata e diminuita pressione atmosferica, Roma 1942. Leodegario Picanyol