Walter Nernst was a German physical chemist born on June 19, 1864, and he is best known for his contributions to thermodynamics and electrochemistry. He formulated the Nernst equation, which describes the relationship between the concentration of ions in a solution and the voltage of an electrochemical cell. His work laid the foundation for many modern scientific principles in chemistry and physics. In 1920, Nernst was awarded the Nobel Prize in Chemistry for his research on the behavior of matter at high temperatures. He also contributed to the development of the Nernst lamp, an early type of incandescent lamp. Nernst's legacy continues to influence various fields, including chemistry, physics, and engineering.