The American Chemical Society has recognized four companies for developing innovative therapies for various ailments, including eye disease and high cholesterol. These breakthroughs were made possible by the work of industrial chemists and chemical engineers who have led to commercially successful products that improve quality of life.
The National Science Foundation has renewed funding for the Center for Women's Careers and Sciences (CWCS) at Georgia State University. Over 450 educators from 280 institutions across 45 states have participated in CWCS workshops on various topics, including environmental chemistry and forensic science.
The Presidential Green Chemistry Challenge Awards have honored scientists who develop innovative chemistry to lower pollution. Two winners in 2004 developed "tunable" benign solvents from water and CO2 that host chemical reactions more cleanly and efficiently.
Top US high school students have been selected to serve as members of the 2004 US Chemistry Olympiad Team, including Emily Tsui, Eric Brown, Fan Zhang, John Leon Kiappes, Jr., Jeremy Hiatt and Allen Cheng. The team will represent the country at international events, following college-level training and competition in organic chemistry.
Boston University's CMLD program develops methodologies for diverse, high-quality chemical libraries needed for biological research and drug discovery. The e-lab notebook provides web-based access to protocols and tools for outside researchers to synthesize new compounds.
The exhibition features 12 thematic stations celebrating diversity in fields like genetic research, fashion, and environmental understanding, highlighting the impact of women chemists on our daily lives. Featured chemists include Marie Meurdrac and Susan Solomon.
The Research Corporation has awarded $2.8 million in grants to support research and teaching initiatives at primarily undergraduate institutions. The awards aim to encourage Ph.D.-granting institutions to excel in both teaching and research, with a focus on promoting faculty mentoring and communication.
Researchers create tholins in lab experiments to understand Titan's chemistry and potential for life. They analyze spectroscopic properties and react with molten water to form oxygenated compounds.
Catalina Achim, a Carnegie Mellon University chemist, has received the prestigious NSF CAREER award to support her research on incorporating metal ions into peptide nucleic acid (PNA). The grant will also enable her to develop an interdisciplinary course bridging inorganic chemistry and art.
Kansas State University will develop a 'green' chemistry course with a $500,000 NSF grant. The course aims to educate students on environmentally friendly chemical processes and develop chiral molecules critical for biologically active compounds like pharmaceuticals.
The 2003 Starting Salary Survey shows a shift in employment patterns among new chemistry Ph.D. graduates, with more taking lower paying academic positions. Median salaries were lower than previous classes, with bachelor's graduates still below the all-time high.
Jacobson's solid oxide fuel cell research has the potential to improve how electricity is generated, making it less expensive and more environmentally friendly. His goal is to investigate different materials used as components in fuel cells to make reactions work at lower temperatures.
Scientists have found that nighttime chemistry removes nitrogen oxides from the marine boundary layer off New England's coast, leading to reduced ozone production. This process can short-circuit some ozone formation and affects air quality forecasts.
Researchers at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute developed a software program that quickly identifies molecules with sound medicinal properties. The software uses shortcuts in chemistry and math to rapidly analyze vast molecular databases, predicting which compounds have the right chemical features for specific therapies.
A new web site, ChemCollective.org, has been launched to improve chemistry education by providing virtual labs and scenario-based learning activities. Instructors can supplement existing textbooks with these interactive resources to help students approach chemistry like practicing scientists.
Scientists have designed two-dimensional arrays of cadmium selenide nanoparticles, also known as quantum dots, to change their optical and light-emitting properties. These nanostructures can be used as waveguides or lasers.
Guohua Yang and Gang-yu Liu used scanning tunneling microscopy to study the behavior of thiols on gold surfaces, revealing up to 15 different structural phases. These findings shed light on the interaction between thiol molecules and the gold surface, potentially enabling the creation of patterns with other molecules.
Virgil Percec, a Penn chemist, has received an American Chemical Society award for his work in polymer chemistry. He is recognized for striking a balance among diverse disciplines and extending nature's solutions to design synthetic functional nanosystems.
Researchers have developed a new class of hyperbranched polymers with excellent mechanical properties and lower viscosities. These polymers can be easily processed and are suitable for various applications such as fuel cell materials, biocompatible elastomers and photo-curable adhesives.
Professor Sandra C. Greer was recognized for her dedication to encouraging women in chemistry, with over half of her Ph.D. students being female. She has supervised 14 Ph.D. dissertations and chaired the University of Maryland Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry.
The Virginia Tech trio of Tom Ward, James McGrath, and Garth Wilkes has been awarded the Paul J. Flory Polymer Education Award by the American Chemical Society Division of Polymer Chemistry for their long-term efforts in educating students in polymer science and engineering. The award recognizes the trio's creation of an interdisciplin...
Researchers have discovered that halogen ions on the ocean's surface play a significant role in atmospheric chemistry, influencing ozone production and potentially exacerbating respiratory problems. The study found that iodide and bromide ions were more likely to react with other chemicals, leading to increased ozone formation.
Researchers at Hamilton College have found that atmospheric water clusters could play a key role in accelerating the Greenhouse effect. The team's calculations suggest that larger water clusters should be detectable in the lower troposphere.
Researchers suggest meteorites may have delivered essential elements and asymmetry that led to the development of specific protein and sugar structures on Earth. This theory could provide a plausible explanation for how non-life became ordered and specific chemistry.
A national study of 44 African-American Ph.D. chemists found that despite experiencing discriminatory practices and attitudes, most respondents had positive feelings about chemistry and built successful careers. The study highlights the importance of mentoring as a key factor in overcoming obstacles.
Companies like Gemesis and Apollo Diamond are creating lab-grown diamonds over a carat in size that match mined counterparts in terms of chemical and physical properties. Additionally, colored diamonds can be created by introducing controlled elemental impurities, such as nitrogen for yellow stones or boron for blue gems.
Rising star in chemistry, Jianpeng Ma, has made significant breakthroughs in understanding the structure-function relationship of biological molecules. His innovative approach uses computer simulation to explore this connection, paving the way for furthering our fundamental understanding of chemistry.
Researchers studied how microbes control chemistry on mineral surfaces and found that bacteria produce surface coatings made of iron sulfate and goethite. The results show a fundamental difference between individual organisms and groups in controlling the process.
The Royal Society of Chemistry hosted a plenary lecture on green and sustainable chemistry, featuring speakers from industry and academia. Key highlights include collaborations between sectors, innovative technologies for reducing waste and consumption, and the importance of information infrastructure.
A new study published in Analytical Chemistry challenges the idea that the Vinland Map is a medieval forgery, instead suggesting that its ink composition supports its authenticity. The research finds that the map's ink contains elements consistent with medieval production methods, raising doubts about the possibility of forgery.
Prof. Shaik, a renowned expert in organic chemistry, has been selected by the AAAS for his groundbreaking work on valence bond theory, which has recharted the mental map of chemistry. He is a recipient of numerous prestigious awards, including the Outstanding Young Chemist Award and the Lise Meitner-Alexander von Humboldt Research Award.
A new curriculum developed by Duke University's Pharmacology Education Partnership (PEP) has shown to significantly improve students' understanding of biology and chemistry. The approach uses real-world examples, such as nerve gas and drugs, to make science more relevant and engaging for students.
Researchers at Rutgers-Newark are developing new nanoparticle structures that combine organic and inorganic materials. The team's innovative approach may lead to more efficient solar-energy conversion cells and devices capable of detecting pollutants.
Researchers at Illinois and Rice University developed a new process to chemically select and separate carbon nanotubes based on their electronic properties. The process uses reaction chemistry to create handles that can selectively manipulate metallic and semiconducting nanotubes.
Researchers at Carnegie Mellon University have discovered a new Fe-TAML activator that works with oxygen to oxidize organic and inorganic chemicals. This discovery has the potential to extend the use of Fe-TAML activators for environmental remediation and modify industrial processes to make them more efficient.
Lee Marek, a renowned Chicago chemist, has been awarded the Helen M. Free Award by the American Chemical Society for his outstanding contributions to public outreach in chemistry. His work includes chemistry demonstrations on TV, radio, and stage shows, as well as leading workshops and courses around the world.
Researchers at Brookhaven National Laboratory isolated an important intermediate in a catalyst using reverse reactions, enabling the study of reaction mechanisms and potentially improving catalytic efficiency. The goal is to design new catalysts with enhanced reactivity and selectivity.
The Tensor Contraction Engine (TCE) is a new software that automatically generates computer code for complex molecules, reducing the workload for researchers. By generating efficient parallel programs, TCE can save time and computational resources for projects in computational chemistry and physics.
UGA researchers aim to expand understanding of 'metalloaromaticity' and explore new classes of aromatics with diverse backgrounds in organic, inorganic, and computational chemistry. The project has significant industrial applications, including superconductivity.
The American Chemical Society is honoring a high school chemistry teacher for his exceptional mentoring skills and commitment to the ACS Scholars Program. The program has provided scholarships to 28 students from Puerto Rico who took Mr. Fonseca's chemistry class, with some going on to win national awards.
Seyferth's research focuses on creating new molecules through the use of organometallic compounds. He has made significant contributions to the field of organometallic chemistry, including the development of methods for synthesizing complex compounds such as drugs and adhesives.
Researchers Robert Young, Robert J. Zamboni and Marc Labelle recognized for developing commercial products that improve children's health and wellness with Singulair asthma treatment.
The Pfizer Inc team won the Heroes of Chemistry award for developing Neurontin, a medication controlling seizures in children. This breakthrough led to improved quality of life for many children with epilepsy, demonstrating the valuable role chemists play in improving lives.
Dale J. Kempf, Daniel W. Norbeck, and Hing L. Sham receive award for developing Kaletra, the first HIV protease inhibitor approved for use in children as young as six months old.
Teams from Abbott, Merck, Pfizer, and Wyeth Pharmaceuticals have developed commercial products based on chemistry to improve children's health and wellness. These products include Kaletra, Singulair, Neurontin, and Prevnar, which have advanced the health and well-being of children worldwide.
A renowned chemist has won a prestigious award for his groundbreaking work on creating molecules found in nature, including lapidilectine B. He developed a new method to build nitrogen ring structures and successfully recreated the molecule step-by-step in the laboratory.
Element 110, darmstadtium, has been named by the International Union of Pure and Applied Chemistry after its discovery in Darmstadt, Germany. The element was synthesized through a fusion-evaporation experiment using a 62Ni beam on an isotopically enriched 208Pb target.
Researchers discover new method to produce acetic acid directly from methane, reducing production costs and environmental impact. The breakthrough uses a palladium-based catalyst, but further development is needed to achieve commercial viability.
The US team won a total of four medals, including two bronze and one silver each for Wei-Han Liu and Eric Brown. Benjamin Kaduk, Frances Hocutt also received two silvers respectively. The Chinese team earned the top spot with four gold medals.
Researchers found a major neurochemical deficit in patients with multiple system atrophy, a rare degenerative disease, which correlates with worsened sleep problems. The study suggests that brain chemistry disruptions may also be linked to other neurological diseases like Parkinson's.
A study by scientists at PNNL and UC-Irvine clarifies the role of sea salt in sulfur chemistry, enabling more accurate predictions of acid deposition and global climate. Sea salt particles can absorb substantial amounts of sulfur dioxide, converting it to sulfuric acid.
The American Chemical Society has selected four US students and two alternates to compete in the International Chemistry Olympiad. The team members, from various states across the country, will receive college-level training in organic chemistry through a series of lectures, problem-solving exercises, lab work, and testing.
A team of researchers from Michigan and Connecticut has received an award for their work on a new antibiotic, linezolid. The drug is the first of its kind to be approved in 35 years and shows promise in treating serious Gram-positive infections that are resistant to conventional antibiotics.
Mitchell, a veteran teacher, inspires students to engage in intellectual endeavors through events like Pi Day and Renaissance day. Her leadership in the Science Olympiad program grows the team from five students to over forty.
Germanium nanoclusters can now be coated with polymers, making them stable enough to be processed as plastics. This innovation expands the possible uses of semiconductor nanoparticles, including potential applications in displays and tiny building blocks.
Beardsley's dedication to innovative teaching methods and extracurricular programs has significantly impacted her students' enthusiasm for chemistry. Her achievements have been acknowledged by the American Chemical Society, which presents its High School Chemistry Teaching Award annually.
Matson's work on ultra-barrier coatings has the potential to replace glass in electronic displays, enabling flexible and cheaper alternatives for cell phones, TVs, laptops, and digital watches. The American Chemical Society's Industrial Innovation Awards recognize his contributions to commercial success and improved quality of life.
Haugland's work at Molecular Probes led to the creation of over 2,800 products for biomedical research. He holds 60 patents and authored Handbook of Fluorescent Probes and Research Chemicals.
Christopherson, a 18-year teaching veteran, wins regional award for her engaging chemistry instruction and commitment to technology integration. Her goal is to prepare students for success in a global community, fostering interest in science and learning.
Seventeen boys and three girls from across the US will participate in a two-week study camp at the US Air Force Academy, receiving college-level training in organic chemistry. The four-member US team that emerges from this preparation will compete against teams from over 50 countries in the International Chemistry Olympiad.