Chemistry (Spring 2007)

Contents

Features

• Solar Solutions by Barbara Maynard
  Though solar cells have been around for more than 50 years, researchers are still hard at work trying to improve their efficiency and drive down the costs of making them.
• Nuclear Power Poised for Rebirth by Cynthia Washam
  “NO NUKES!” was once the battle cry of environmentalists, but with concerns about global climate change and new nuclear power plant designs, you’re more likely to hear today’s environmentalist holler, “MORE NUKES!”
• Can Coal be Clean? by Robin Sussingham
  With a 250-year supply of coal lying beneath U.S. soils, this cheap source of energy is an obvious choice of fuel for generating electricity. But only if ongoing research can solve major pollution issues.

Departments

• Editorial by Joe Alper (ACS '97)
  For the sake of our kids, it’s time we lead by example.
• Global Perspectives: Energy in Europe and Japan—More Efficient, More Renewable by Tom Burroughs
  Rising oil prices and calls for reduced carbon dioxide emissions are driving major efforts in Europe and Japan to improve energy efficiency and develop renewable energy sources.
• From the Desk of the Executive Director
  Building an Even Better ACS by Madeleine Jacobs (ACS ’96)
• Newsblast
  Trapping intermediates, magnetic hydrogen bonds, turning sound into light, a safe and savory food wrap, rapid and inexpensive gene detection, and taking the earth’s temperature.
• Chem.WWW by Kristin Kili Lay
  A place to talk science, reading suggestions from peers, historic chemistry, chemistry club for kids, backyard science, spying on carbon, molecule of the month, camels, protocols, fungi, chlorine, and more.
• CareerView: Chemistry for a Cause by Cynthia Washam
  For some chemists, doing what’s right, and not what’s easy, can lead to a rewarding career in public advocacy.
• Student Affiliates: Hooking Kids on Chemistry by Lucy Hood
  Every year at the ACS spring national meeting, Student Affiliates members help with innovative programs whose goal is to show kids that chemistry is cool.

Lifestyles

• Personal Health: The Sweet Slurp of Excess by Joan Stephenson
  Processed foods, from sodas to sports drinks, from dairy products to baked goods, are awash in high-fructose corn syrup. So what should we do about it?
• Personal Travel: ACS Expeditions by Karl Thiel
  In the mood for an adventure? An ACS expedition offers the opportunity to tour some of the world’s natural splendors with an experienced scientific expert.
• Quick Read: Grab a Wedge of Carbon by Randy Wedin (ACS ’77)
  Chemistry textbooks taught us to work with carbon and carbon dioxide in units of grams, moles, and parts per million. Over the next 50 years, however, the most important unit may be the “wedge,” or 25 billion tons of carbon.
• Crossword by Mark S. Lesney
  Try the Chemistry crossword, and check out the solution.
• Ask the Lab Rat by A. K. A. Muridae
  Experimental design, data analysis, and conclusions may form the heart of a scientific publication, but giving credit where credit is due is just as important—and difficult to do right.
• 2007 Membership Application

Inside ACS

A special section to keep members informed about the latest news and events unfolding at the world’s premier scientific organization.

• For Members Only
• Nucleus
  News from the Headquarters
• Catalyst
  Opportunities for You
• Mark Your Calendar
• For Closers: What’s in It for Me? by James F. Ryan You want to improve your employment prospects and challenge yourself intellectually. But your graduate adviser may have a different agenda in mind.

Copyright © 2007, ACS. All rights reserved. None of the contents of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted in any form or by any means without the prior written permission of the ACS. The ACS assumes no responsibility for the statements and opinions advanced by the contributors.