Wilhelm Hankel (17.05.1814-17.02.1899) — German physicist. Born in Ermsleben. Graduated from the University of Halle (1840), where he worked. In 1849 —87 he was a professor at the University of Leipzig.
His research concerned electricity, electromagnetism, the study of pyro-, piezo- and photoelectric phenomena, and the construction of measuring instruments. He detected pyroelectricity in calcite, feldspar, gypsum and other minerals. In 1845 he established that the electrical conductivity of liquids increases with rising temperature.