CINTACS Newsletter of the Cincinnati Section of the  American Chemical Society  Vol. 38, No. 8 - April 2001

CINTACS is published nine times a year (September through May) by the Cincinnati Section of the American Chemical Society. All changes of address should be sent to Emel Yakali at Raymond Walters College, 9555 Plainfield Road, Cincinnati, OH 45236, phone 745-5686, FAX 745-5767, or email mc.acs@uc.edu.

SUBMISSION DEADLINES

The submission deadline for the May issue is March 30, 2001. Electronic submission is strongly preferred, except for original photos. All materials should be sent to:

Dr. Bruce Ault
Department of Chemistry
University of Cincinnati
Cincinnati, OH 45221
Phone: 513-556-9238
FAX: 513-556-9239
E-mail: bruce.ault@uc.edu

This month, Professor C. Marvin Lang, Department of Chemistry, University of Wisconsin - Stevens Point, will present, “The Elements of Leadership”, Chemical Demonstrations with a Theme. While being a full Professor at University of Wisconsin – Stevens Point, Marvin has probably held every office in the American Chemical Society at the local, regional and National levels. His chemical interest and activities range from  application of electron spin resonance spectroscopy to the study of macromolecular aspects of fluids, semi-empirical molecular orbital calculations, chemical demonstrations, and chemistry as portrayed on postage stamps. I would say that is a pretty diversified interest.  He has been the recipient of many distinguished awards as well as a member of many prestigious Chemical Organizations.

One of his main projects is to present the science of chemistry to the public-at-large through chemical demonstrations and science workshops. He has made these types of invited presentations at Ira Joe Fisher TV Show, in Cincinnati; U.S. Chemical Educator Exchange to the Soviet Union; Museum of Science and Industry, Chicago; Newton's Apple TV Show; Kamehameha Schools, Honolulu; Smithsonian Institution's National Museum of American History; Disney Land, Anaheim; Walt Disney World's EPCOT Center, Orlando; and many other places to numerous to mention.

This months meeting at Northern Kentucky University, will be sponsored in part by the Cognis Corporation. We look forward to having many students and teachers joining us for our education awards presentations. I would like to thank John Williams, Richard Sunberg, Tim Cassady, Rebecca Stricklin and others once again for doing a great job accepting nominations, administering the tests and the awards, and other coordination efforts. It will be our last technical meeting of the 00/01 year so I hope you will make every effort to join us. We thank Jim Niewahner for making all the arrangements again this year and I know it will prove to be an active evening. Fittingly, after the chemical demonstration, dinner, and awards presentation, we will finish with a social get together that will provide another opportunity to thank our membership for their very active participation this year.

Our congratulations to all our education awardees this year. Five students, 12 years of age and under will receive awards and will attend our April meeting with their (teachers): Jon Imeson (Mrs. Brautigan); Laqueen Gordon (Mrs. Hardin); Melvin Black (Kamlesh Jindal); Jasmine Pierce (Mrs. Call); and Rose Barrett (Mr Keller). Our teachers of the year are Regina Hoffman, Williamsburg Elementary School, Elementary School Science educator of the year 2001 and Paula Williams Butler, Cincinnati Country Day School, High School chemistry Teacher of the Year 2001. As in past years, High School student awards will be presented at our meeting by John Williams.

Please note that we will hold our third board meeting of the year from 5:30 to 6:15 and this is always good opportunity to bring up any key issues. Please contact me to put any item on our agenda.

We had Plans A, B, C and D for party night. Plan A didn’t work out, but Plan B became the winner. So on May 24th, Thursday evening, we are going to the Museum Center for a social and banquet followed by a new featured presentation on “Journey into Amazing Caves” at the Omnimax. The cost will be $30 per person and reservations can be made at our usual answering line at (513) 622-3353 or e-mail cintacs.im@pg.com. Try to include this event in your schedule. It is important to register early for this Party night event in particular. I look forward to celebrating another successful year with the section at that event.

See you at Northern Kentucky University!

Rick Fayter - Cognis Corporation - (513) 482-3156 - Rick.fayter@cognis-us.com

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Abstract

When someone asks what you do for a living and you answer,

 Why would anyone put up with seemingly negative comments of that nature?  What are the essential ingredients to lead a group of students through a rigorous discussion on a particular chemical topic?  What techniques might be used to cause a group of people to reach to a consensus decision?  Professor Lang will allude to these topics and punctuate his presentation with a series of chemical demonstrations that are fun to watch, but are not merely entertainment.  The purpose of such a presentation is to show that a dramatic demonstration makes the observer pay closer attention and graphically illustrates an otherwise abstract theory.  The observer can more easily remember the theory after he/she has seen it explicitly performed.  In this way, Professor Lang will show that a person can learn a lot of science, make direct application to various styles of leadership and have fun at the same time.  Perhaps, in some small way the "fear factor" associated with chemistry will be diminished.

The presentation will be suitable to all age groups ... from 7 to  70!  The only requirement for attendance is that you have an inquiring mind and like to have fun.
 

About the Speaker

C. Marvin Lang is a native of Chicago, Illinois.  He earned a Bachelor of Science degree at Elmhurst College (1961), a Master of Science in Chemistry at the University of Wisconsin - Madison (1964) and a Ph.D. in Physical Chemistry at the University of Wyoming - Laramie (1970).  Dr. Lang has been on the faculty of the University of Wisconsin - Stevens Point since 1964 where he is currently Professor of Chemistry.

 Dr. Lang has long been active in the affairs of the American Chemical Society at the local, regional, and national level including six years service as an elected member of its Board of Directors (19891-94.  He was named recipient of the 1997 ACS national Helen M. Free Award in Public Outreach for his long-time efforts of interpreting science to the public.

 It has been one of Dr. Lang's special interests to present the science of chemistry to the public-at-large.  Through chemical demonstrations and science workshops, he has presented the allure of visual reactions to the classroom of colleges, high schools, grade schools, to civic groups and senior citizen centers as well.  In addition, he has made many invited presentations, including on the Ira Joe Fisher TV Show here in Cincinnati (November 1986, November 1987).  Dr. Lang also frequently lectures on the development of science through CHEMICAL PHILATELY: A Perforated History of Chemistry.
 
 

Congratulations to Ms. Paula Williams Butler as the Cincinnati Section's High School Chemistry Teacher of the Year 2001. Ms. Butler has been teaching Chemistry and other science activities at Cincinnati Country Day School. Her Chemistry and Science teaching skills are reflected by the consistently high scores that her students receive on A.P. and SAT II tests in Chemistry. In fact several of her top students have received awards, honors, and recognition at the National level. Paula has provided special programs such as special holiday labs, a Big Mole Day celebration, riddle of the week, and many other unique programs, which make Chemistry fun for her students. She has presented and co-presented many science workshops, was invited to Trevor Day School in NYC to represent her school and exchange ideas with their teachers, and developed a rather interesting elective course for seniors with the Chair of the English Department entitled: “Science, Technology, and the Meaning(s) of Life”. She has continued to stregthen her teaching skills by attending many chemical education conferences, working with industrial chemists through a Partners for Terrific Science Industrial Internship, serving on special ACS Chemistry Examination Committee, and other numerous leadership activities. We congratulate Paula Butler for this well deserved award.

The awards committee is pleased to announce that it has selected Ms. Regina Hoffman as the Elementary School Science Educator for the Year 2001. Ms. Hoffman has served as a teacher in the Williamsburg Local School District in Williamsburg, Ohio for the past ten years. She has been nominated for the Ashland Teacher of the Year award and the Clermont County Teacher of the Year and also recognized as Clermont County Environmental Teacher of the Year. Ms. Hoffman has participated in both Clermont County’s Lead Science Teacher Program and Curriculum Committee. Her students have been involved in nature trail development, sponsoring animals at the Cincinnati Zoo, a “clean up our school project”, the Planetarium, and many more science activities. Ms. Hoffman is also certified as a teacher of the QUEST program, which is directed to the development of self-esteem in young people. Please join us in extending our hearty congratulations to Regina Hoffman for this award.

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Urgent - Email Addresses Needed

Okay, folks, what's the big deal with e-Mail addresses?  We've been asking for e-mail addresses for over 5 years, probably longer.  I suspect that by now, over 90% (maybe even as many as 99%) of the active members of ACS have an e-mail address.  However, a recent list we received from ACS HQ has e-mail addresses listed for less than 60% of the members.  And, of the 800 or so listed, over 190 came back as undeliverable, so we have only 600 "good" e-mail addresses on our mailing list.

People don't like getting "trash" e-mail, but seem eager to use e-mail for official stuff in which they're interested.  We've found that meeting attendance is increased when we send personalized e-mail messages to folks, informing them of upcoming meetings.  I get "replies of regret" from folks who can't make it to a meeting, asking that I send future announcements by e-mail.

PLEASE send your e-mail address to mc.acs@uc.edu.  We WILL send it along to ACS HQ for their database (we don't like to keep different records than they do, because it gets very confusing.).  But we (and HQ) WILL use it ONLY for official ACS business, such as meeting announcements, and the like.  We promise to use the list sparingly...

Hank Greeb
Chair Elect

Coming in April, the Center for Integrative Natural Science And Mathematics (CINSAM) at Northern Kentucky University will host talks by two noted scientists who will offer their perspectives on life in this world — and out of it.

On Tuesday, April 3, Dr. Mark Moffett will speak on “The High Frontier: Science at the Top of the Rainforest Canopy.”   A Harvard-trained ecologist and award-winning photographer, Moffet combines high adventure with a naturalist’s eye for a presentation that inspires insights and ideas.  His passion for science, exploration, and subject are combined in a vivid and comprehensive picture of the tropical rainforests, and the perilous challenges its research presents for scientists. He has shot more covers for National Geographic than any other photographer.   His presentation will give listeners  a fuller understanding of the  urgency of environmental preservation.

On Wednesday, April 25, Dr. Mario Livio will present  “Beauty in Physics and the Accelerating Universe.” One of the most surprising discoveries is  the expansion of our universe. This also implies that energy density in our universe is dominated not by luminous nor dark matter, but rather by the energy of the vacuum.  Dr. Mario Livio, head of the new Institute Science Division at the Space Telescope Science Institute,  focuses on supernova explosions and their use to determine the expansion of the universe; on the formation of black holes and the possibility to extract energy from them; on formation of planets around stars; and on emergence of intelligent life in the universe.  He combines his passions for science and art in a book, The Accelerating Universe.

Both lectures will be held in  the Business/Education/Psychology building in room 200 at 7 p.m.  A reception will follow each presentation in the University Center Lounge.  For more information, call (859) 572-6543, or visit the CINSAM web site, www.cinsam.org,

RESERVATIONS may be made and INFORMATION is available by telephoning RESC contacts at either (513) 231-7831 or (513) 751-8035.

Tuesday, Apr. 17         Egypt - Cruising Up the Nile
11:30 AM
 Fae Audre Rice & Harold Rice,  RESC members, retired Science teacher & electrical engineer respectively, will describe the wonders of ancient kingdoms along the Nile from Alexandria to Abu Simbel including Valley of the Kings and Valley of the Queens, and  many temples, as well as the Pyramids and Sphinx at Gizeh.

Tuesday, May  15         Trends in Medical Surgical Laser Therapy
11:30 AM  (at Quality Inn Central)
Judy Chamberlain, RN, MSN, Consultant and Lecturer on Laser Safety.   With a background as Nurse and the Laser Safety Officer at Christ Hospital, she will describe structure and function of lasers and tissue response, with examples of primary uses. Also, the hazards, and controls necessary for safety of patients and providers.

Wednesday, Apr. 18      Cintas - "The Uniform People"  -  Mason, OH
10:00 AM
Witness uniform tailoring and logo embroidering, warehousing, and order handling processes of this major uniform supplier.  Followed by lunch at Lone Star Steakhouse, Mason.

Wednesday, May 9        Fernald - EPA Clean-up Site   -  Ross, OH
10:30 AM
A bus tour of this project which includes structure and process facilities demolition, aquifer restoration, and low level nuclear waste handling and preparation for removal.  Followed by lunch at Bier Haus,  Miamitown.

This widely acclaimed 2-day ACS course will be offered at a substantial discount to what you would pay at Pittcon or at the ACS National Meeting (compare to $845/$945).  Check-in begins at 8:00 a.m. on the first day.  The course will be taught from 8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. each day.  If you have not already done so, please indicate your intent to register by e-mail to:  white.dr.2@pg.com. Course seating is limited to 30 people.

Fees (includes 2-day course, all materials, lunches, refreshment breaks)
ACS Members:   $500
Nonmembers:     $600

All registrations must be prepaid by check or money order (sorry, purchase orders and credit cards cannot be accepted).  Payment deadline is Wednesday, April 11.  Please send your check or money order (payable to Cincinnati Section-ACS) to the attention of:

D. Rick White
The Procter & Gamble Company
WH B1E24, Box 175
6210 Center Hill Ave.
Cincinnati, OH 45224

Who Should Attend This Course:  Researchers, practitioners, technicians, and others who are currently using LC, LC/MS, or plan to use LC/MS in the future, and those dealing with data produced by LC/MS.  Chromatographers just embarking on the technique will gain insight to select the appropriate instrument for different applications, and those currently using LC/MS and its data will develop an appreciation for, and an understanding of, the complexities of the data generated.

Key Topics You’ll Learn About

• Solvent delivery systems, columns, interfaces, ionization methods, and mass analyzers; methods; and data evaluation
• What types of instruments are available for various types of analytes
• What are the latest developments in instrumentation
• How to get structural information from LC/MS
• How to deal with multiple-charge ions
• What changes may have to be made when porting an LC method to an LC/MS method
• Types of mass analyzers, and which is most suitable for a given analysis by LC/MS
• Steps in the interpretation of collision-induced dissociation (CID) data
• How ions are formed in an LC/MS analysis
• Approaches to problem solving with LC/MS

Frederick E. Klink, currently a consultant in LC, LC/MS, and other scientific instrumentation  has worked with a variety of industrial clients.  He has 16 years of experience in the analytical instrument industry, where he held a variety of technical and management positions.

Research Assistant Wanted

To perform and document laboratory experiments.  To carry out duties associated with maintaining laboratory organization.  Full- time salaried position.  Required qualifications:  minimum Bachelors degree in chemical or biological sciences.  Desired qualifications: laboratory experience in molecular biology and biochemistry.  Send letter of application, résumé and list of three references to Brenda Blacklock, Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, Hughes Hall 244, Miami University, Oxford, OH 45056.  Screening of applications will begin immediately and will continue until the position is filled. Miami University is an equal opportunity employer.
 

Results-Oriented Chemist Sought

Cincinnati Specialties manufactures specialty organic chemicals including saccharin, corrosion inhibitors and chemical intermediates including ethyl anthranilate. We have a need for an experienced chemist. Varied assignments include:

1. New product formulation
2. Analytical method development for new products.  Methods: HPLC, GC, UV spectrophotometry, potentiometic titrations.
3. Customer technical service. Provide  recommendations on analytical methods and product uses.
4. Evaluate new products for corrosion by electrochemical and weight loss methods.
5. Measure physical properties and stability of new products.
6. Trouble shooting for manufacturing and customer problems.
7. Prepare concise written summaries of work done.

Qualifications include: At least a Bachelor's degree in chemistry and analytical experience. Good working knowledge of computer software and hardware needed. Experience in analytical method development especially valuable.  Need a self-starter with a "can do" attitude and good interpersonal skills.  Interested chemists please contact:

Bruce Strickland
(513)482-7312
BruceS@pmcsg.com

or

Michelle Espich
(513)482-7327
MichelleE@pmcsg.com

Call for Applications for Travel Awards

For postdoctoral, graduate and undergraduate women to make their first research presentation at a scientific meeting.  For more information and an application form, contact Cheryl Brown at (800) 227-5558, ext. 6123, or email her at wcc@acs.org

Deadlines:
Feb. 15, 2001 (meetings between 7/1/01 - 12/31/01)
Sept. 15, 2001 (meetings between 1/1/02 - 6/30/02)

 The 2002 National Chemical Technician Award will be presented to a chemical technician who has demonstrated an extremely high degree of professionalism as a chemical technician.  Criteria used to judge the award include technical skills, communication skills, safety, reliability, leadership, teamwork, publications and presentations.  Additional professional and community activities are also considered.  The award will consist of a trip to the 223rd American Chemical Society National Meeting, April 7-12, 2002 in Orlando, Florida for the awardee and guest.  $1000.00 and a plaque will be presented at the TECH National Chemical Technician Award Banquet at the National meeting.

 The ACS defines a chemical technician as a person whose training includes successful completion of a two-year post high school level chemistry curriculum leading to an Associate degree or the equivalent course work in a Baccalaureate program or the equivalent knowledge gained by experience.  The primary work of a chemical technician is conducting experimentation and/or correlating information to help solve chemical problems and/or discover new chemical knowledge.

Letters of nomination must be received by Christy Yembrick, AstraZeneca Pharmaceuticals LP, 1800 concord Pike, NLW2, PO Box 15437, Wilmington, DE 19850-5437, no later than September 30, 2001 (christy.yembrick@astrazeneca.com. phone: 302-886-4125, FAX: 302-886-5359).  Nominations, including seconding letters, must not exceed six pages.  The nominating letters should address the above criteria.  A current work address and phone number must be provided for the nominee and the nominator.  E-mail addresses are also requested.

A nominee must have worked as a chemical technician for a minimum of five years to be eligible for this award.  Nominees need not be a Technician Affiliate or an ACS member to be eligible for this award.  This award is administered by the Division of Chemical Technicians of the American Chemical Society and is sponsored by Corporation Associates.

If you need further information, contact Christy Yembrick at the above address.

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Chemical Educators' News

Twenty-three teachers gathered in Linda Ford’s laboratory at Seven Hills School on January 31st for a “Night of Demos”. Rudy Thomas from the University of Cincinnati started the ninety-minute session with three phase change demonstrations including the triple point of carbon dioxide on a large scale. Then twelve teachers shared with the group. Mike Geyer revisited thermite. Shirley Frey made LeChatelier’s Principle more visual. Out went the lights as Ed Escudero turned on the chemiluminescence. Vern Hicks vibrated some molecules while Ed Ledden mickey moused around with the polarity concept. Paula Butler put a dramatic swing to bonding. We all enjoyed the scary allure of the Will o’ the Wisp. Each of the presenters shared a handout so that everyone could take new ideas back to their classrooms. Thank you to all the presenters for contributing to a very successful evening.

 On March 10th, seven area high school teachers and three chemists from the Young Chemists’ Group gave a workshop of inquiry-based chemistry activities for twenty-three middle school teachers. This workshop replaced the regular March meeting of the Chemical Educators’ Discussion Group. Our next gathering will be at Cincinnati Country Day School in late October. Celebrate chemical education and the outstanding area chemistry students and teachers at the April meeting.

Remember these important professional development opportunities:

1. The Institute of Chemical Education (ICE) at the University of Wisconsin-Madison is hosting a Materials Science Workshop from June 25 to July 13. Application and information are available at www.chem.wis.edu/application.html.

2. ChemEd01 at York University in Toronto, Ontario is July 29 to August 2. Check out their web site: www.science.yorku.ca/chemed2001.

3. NSTA holds a regional convention in Columbus, Ohio in October 2001. Web site for info is at: www.nsta.org/conv.

 The Kalamazoo and Western Michigan Sections of the American Chemical invite you to participate in “2001:  A Grand Chemical Odyssey”.  You will join some of the best minds in Education and Industry at the more than 90 technical and poster sessions including symposia focused on Education, Food and Agricultural Chemistry, Pharmaceutical Chemistry, and Polymer Chemistry.  Keynote Speakers include US Representative Vernon Ehlers, Dr. Bassam Shakashiri, Dr. George Vande Woude, Dr. Paul Jones and Dr. John Giesy.

Jon Imeson, Tayor Mill Elem., Mrs. Brautigan, 859-356-2566, Covington, KY
Laqueen Gordon, Hays-Porter Washburn Elem., Mrs. Hardin, 513-357-8570, Cincinnati, OH
Melvin Black, Bond Hill Academy, Kamlesh Jindal, 513-482-4800, Cincinnati, OH
Jasmine Pierce, School for Creative and Performing Arts, Mrs. Call, 513-632-5900, Cincinnati, OH
Rose Barrett, Kilgour Elem., Mr. Keller, 513-533-6330, Cincinnati, OH
 
The five student winners, their parents, and teachers are invited to a Special Awards Dinner as guests of the Cincinnati Section of the American Chemical Society.  The Awards Dinner will be held at the Society’s Monthly Dinner meeting on Thursday, April 19, 2001 at Northern Kentucky University in Highland Heights, Ky.

Elementary students in the tri-state area, age 12 and under, were again challenged to learn that chemistry is fun.  This year our National Chemistry Week contest for elementary students centered around the Fall 1999 issue of WonderScience Magazine titled, “POLYMERS”.  WonderScience editor, James H Kessler, donated the magazines.

Students, 12 years of age and under, with the assistance of their parents and/or teachers, were afforded the opportunity perform one of four experiments designed to facilitate the study and understanding of polymers. Students entered the contest by submitting the results of their experiment along with their hypothesis to explain their observations. Potential experiments included a comparison of plastic films, a study of sodium polyacrylate in diapers, polymerization of Elmer’s Glue and properties of plastic bags.

The contest kits were packed in early September by volunteers who gathered at the farm of Bob and Joyce Smyth.  This community volunteer event included hayrides, a fall picnic and group singing around a bonfire.  Volunteers distributed the 800 contest packets to local schools.  This is the 13th year that this elementary school chemistry contest has been sponsored by the Cincinnati Section of the American Chemical Society as a National Chemistry Week activity.

Bob is one of Procter and Gamble’s premier technologists, being a member of the elite Victor Mills Society. He has been actively innovating and bringing products to market for many years now. Bob has conducted numerous talks and workshops globally on how innovation can be fully harnessed by individuals and organizations.

Abstract

As the author James Burke has so wonderfully illustrated in his books and articles, the evolution of technology follows a curious and unpredictable path. Developments in one arena seem to spur developments in others in ways that can only be understood in hindsight. But there is a rhyme and reason to the madness. And it is hidden in the process we call Research and Development. The secret to understanding the process is to envision it as a cycle, the cycle of Research and Development.  The intent of the talk is to improve the efficiency of applied and basic R&D by elucidating the cycle that underlies the process.

DIRECTIONS TO THE VENUE

From Downtown Cincinnati/Northern Kentucky: 1) Take I-75 North. 2) Take Exit 22 (Tylersville Road). 3) At exit ramp, go east. 4) At about 2.5 miles (immediately before the WLW tower), take a left on Snider Road. 5) The clubhouse is on the corner of Snider Road and Greenbrier Glen (which is the second street on the right). 6) To park, turn left into lot or on the street.

From Dayton: 1) Take I-75 South. 2) Take Exit 22 (Tylersville Road).  3) Follow directions above from Exit 22

From Indianapolis: 1) Take I-275 East. 2) Take I-75 North. 3) Take Exit 22 (Tylersville Road).  4) Follow directions above from Exit 22.

From Columbus: 1) Take I-71 South. 2) Take the Fields-Ertel Exit. 3) At exit ramp, go North (turn right) on Mason-Montgomery Road. 4) Turn left at Tylersville Road (the next street after Western Row). 5) Make a right on Snider Road (immediately after the WLW tower). 6) ) The clubhouse is on the corner of Snider Road and Greenbrier Glen (which is the second street on the right). 7) To park, turn left into lot or on the street.

The Women Chemists Committee of the American Chemical Society has established an award designed to recognize a woman from a two-year or four-year institution for her efforts in overcoming hardship to achieve success in chemistry. The award consists of a plaque, a monetary award of $250, and up to $500 in travel expenses to the fall ACS national meeting. The recipient will be recognized at the WCC Luncheon on Tuesday afternoon at that meeting.

Criteria:

• Awardee must be a woman currently enrolled in a two-year chemistry-related program or pursuing a major or minor in a four-year chemistry program in a school not granting a doctoral in chemistry.  The awardee must have completed one semester of college level chemistry.
• Applicants must demonstrate that they have overcome hardships (economic, personal, or academic) in pursuit of their education in order to be considered for the award.
• The jury will consider 4 categories: improvement, initiative, successes, and grades from the previous two semesters (not cumulative grade point average).

• Nominees must submit a letter requesting the award, one letter of recommendation, and school transcripts. The request should contain nominee name, address, telephone number, and email address as well as explain the hardships the student has overcome and her current successes.
• Submissions should be sent to: Women Chemists Committee, American Chemical Society, 1155 16th Street, NW, Washington DC 20036.

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Formatted and uploaded March 26, 2001, by acs@www.che.uc.edu