Sylwester Kaliski (19 December 1925 – 16 September 1978) was a Polish engineer, professor and military general. He was a member of the Polish Academy of Sciences (PAN). Born in Toruń, Kaliski was a specialist in the field of applied physics. He developed the theory of continuous amplification of ultra and hyper-sounds in semiconductive crystals and obtained plasma temperature of tens of millions of kelvins using laser impulse. He died in Warsaw, Poland in car crash. It has been speculated that Kaliski was killed by the Soviet KGB, as he headed the Polish clandestine program of developing thermonuclear devices intended for military use. The program began on orders from the highest levels of Polish communists and was reportedly opposed by the Soviet Union. Accolades Order of Builders of People's Poland - 1978 (posthumously) Order of the Banner of Labour 1st Class - 1968 Commander's Cross Polonia Restituta - 1973 Knight's Cross of the Order of Polonia Restituta - 1961 Gold Cross of Merit - 1957 People's Republic of Poland 30th Anniversary Medal - 1974 Gold Medal "Armed Forces in Service of the Fatherland" - 1970 Silver Medal "Armed Forces in Service to the Fatherland" - 1970 Bronze Medal "Armed Forces in Service to the Fatherland" - 1970 Gold Medal "For Meritorious Service to National Defence" - 1974 Silver Medal "For Meritorious Service to National Defence Bronze Medal "For meritorious service to national defence" Order of Friendship of Nations (Soviet Union) - 1973 Order of War Merit with a Great Star (Yugoslavia) - 1967 Entry in the "Honorary Book of Soldierly Deeds" - 1973 and others. References 1925 births 1978 deaths People from Toruń People from Pomeranian Voivodeship (1919–1939) Members of the Central Committee of the Polish United Workers' Party Government ministers of Poland Members of the Polish Sejm 1972–1976 Members of the Polish Sejm 1976–1980 Polish People's Army generals Nuclear engineers 20th-century Polish engineers 20th-century Polish physicists Gdańsk University of Technology alumni Members of the Polish Academy of Sciences Recipients of the Order of the Builders of People's Poland Recipients of the Order of the Banner of Work Commanders of the Order of Polonia Restituta Knights of the Order of Polonia Restituta Recipients of the Gold Cross of Merit (Poland) Recipients of the Order of Friendship of Peoples