RSC NEWS FEBRUARY 2013 www.rsc.org

Bang for the buck How chemistry sparked the birth of a fireworks business

FORGING SYNTHETIC LINKS WITH BIOLOGY AFRICA DEBATE p10 p12 The RSC supported 2012 Royal Institution Christmas Lectures were delivered by Peter Wothers, a lecturer at the University of Cambridge, who performed some of the most visually enticing and intellectually stimulating chemistry experiments. From the burning of phosphorus in air (below) to blowing up a Christmas tree made of gun cotton (top right) and messing with a million-volt Tesla coil that causes chemical reactions among the components of air (top left). All lectures are now available online at http://www.richannel.org/christmas-lectures READERSHIP SURVEY WEBSITE We would like to improve our communications Find all the latest news at with you. Help us by fi lling out our readership www.rsc.org/rscnews survey: http://rsc.li/rscnews-survey

contents FEBRUARY 2013

Editor: Jon Edwards REGULARS Deputy Editor: Akshat Rathi 04 4 Snapshot Assistant Editors: Lynsey Thorpe, Chiara Ceci The latest news from the RSC Annika Schüller, Emma Stoye 6 Production: One to One Dale Dawson, Jenny Silventoinen What is CPD and why it is important for you Vivenne Brar Contact us: 7 Profile RSC News editorial office Romeela Mohee—environmental chemist Thomas Graham House Science Park, Milton Road and engineer Cambridge, CB4 0WF, UK 14 07 Tel: +44 (0)1223 432460 Editorial Email: [email protected] Editor’s note and letters on RSC activities Burlington House, Piccadilly and issues London W1J 0BA, UK Tel: +44 (0)20 7437 8656 FEATURES Photography: © Royal Society of Chemistry 8 © Paul Wilkinson (p2 top) Fireworks business © T Mitchell (p2 bottom) The founder of the biggest UK fireworks © iStock (p5, p6) manufacturer talks about the business © Shutterstock (p1, p8, p12) © Science Photo Library (p10) 10 Partnering for success How the PACN is helping forge links with and between African chemists 12 Synthetic biology debate What are the implications of engineering life 10 DIARY

15 Conferences Upcoming meetings and events 16 Events © Royal Society of Chemistry 2013 Your guide to events by region and section Registered charity number 207890 21 People and notices Including admissions and vacancies for Council, boards and Divisions 12

FEBRUARY 2013 RSC NEWS 3 snapshot A look at the latest news from around the world

A Croatian PhD student won Mpemba the worldwide competition to find the best explanation for the announces Mpemba Effect At a ceremony that took place on 10 January in London, the RSC declared Nikola Bregović’s submission as the best of 22,000 received after the competition was set up in 2012. competition The entries were to explain the Mpemba effect: why hot water freezes faster than cold water. The announcement was made by Erasto Mpemba himself, winner the Tanzanian who discovered the effect when he was a student. His discovery was scorned by classmates at first, but he pressed his case with Denis Osborne, a British physics lecturer in Tanzania, and they went on to co-write a paper on the effect that was published in 1969. A team of postgraduate students based at Imperial College London initially chose the hot-cold water topic as a challenge for young international researchers who were due to travel to Britain for Hermes 2012, a summer school sponsored by the RSC. When, ahead of that event, the RSC asked the public for explanations, emails and letters poured in from 122 countries, and a vigorous debate was triggered on social media and the web. With the help of an international panel of expert judges and a public peer review system, the deluge of submissions was narrowed down to a shortlist of eleven entries. Bregović, who will receive a £1,000 prize, is currently studying supramolecular chemistry at the University of Zagreb, Croatia. Speaking via a live video link, he explained how the question sparked his curiosity: “My friend sent me an e-mail with the link about the contest. I was immediately intrigued and started to read about the Mpemba effect and soon conducted the first experiments. I was very lucky to be in a very open and friendly environment and I am thankful to my mentor Professor Tomisic, who encouraged me to proceed with the investigations along with my other work.” Osborne, who also attended the ceremony, said, “It is terrific that Hermes and the Royal Society of Chemistry have drawn attention to this effect, 50 years after it was first noticed by Mpemba. Many have challenged and modified early attempts to explain it and the competition results have brought great advances, while demonstrating the enormous complexity of seemingly simple everyday situations.” “Mpemba’s story shows the dangers of an authoritarian, Erasto Mpemba outside arrogant approach to science and how advances in what we Burlington House in London know require open, inquisitive minds,” Osborne added.

4 RSC NEWS FEBRUARY 2013 SCORE voices concerns over Making sense post-16 funding of scents On 10 January the Chemistry Centre opened its doors for a ‘scent-sational’ evening of Q&A with fragrance experts. The event featured a panel of six scientists, entrepreneurs and fragrance industry professionals. It was chaired by John Bailey, president of the British Society of Perfumers. The perfume industry in the UK alone is worth an estimated £640 million annually, but even without that fragrances can make an impact on our lives. They can rehabilitate and trigger reactions and memories. Yet our sense of smell is the least understood of the five senses. During the question time, A change to post-16 funding could have adverse experts were quizzed on everything from the neuroscience of smell to the effects of effects on science A-level provision in schools the internet on the fragrance industry, and the reasons behind regulations restricting The Science Community Representing “Rather than cutting funding for science the use of certain essential oils. The audience Education (SCORE), of which the RSC is A-levels, we have increased funding for the also learned about the years of training a member organisation, has written to other A-levels that were funded at a lower required to become a master perfumer, as the UK’s Minister of State for Schools rate,” it reads. “All schools provide a mix of well as some of the more unconventional outlining its concerns. Under the current A-level subjects, and the overall impact on applications of scents, including their schools’ funding of this change is very small.” funding formula, science A-levels receive potential medicinal use as memory triggers 12% more funding than other subjects due SCORE has said that the situation remains for patients suffering from dementia. to the costs of maintaining laboratories, unclear and has called for further modelling The session was recorded and is now purchasing specialist equipment and to assess the potential impacts on schools available to watch online: employing technicians. But from and students. http://rsc.li/making-sense-of-scents September all subjects will receive the same level of funding, which effectively means a cut for the sciences. NEW YEAR’S HONOURS LIST In a letter addressed to David Laws The following RSC members received awards in the Queen’s New Year’s Honours List MP, Graham Hutchings, SCORE Chair, published on 31 December 2012: said that this change could reduce the DBE OBE provision and uptake of science A-levels, Professor Dame Carol Vivien Dr Keith David Griffiths CChem or have negative impacts on students’ Robinson CChem FRSC Director of Therapies and Health experience of science education: “On a Professor of Biological Chemistry, Sciences, Betsi Cadwaladr purely financial basis, the removal of University of Oxford University Health Board the 12% weighting for science academic For services to Science and Industry For services to the NHS in Wales qualifications is likely to discourage schools and colleges from offering these OBE MBE more costly subjects.” Professor Susan Elizabeth Gibson Dr June McCombie CChem CChem FRSC Senior Research Officer, A response was received on 8 January from Professor of Chemistry, University of Nottingham Matthew Hancock MP, Minister for Skills. Imperial College London For services to Science It denied that programme weightings were For services to Chemistry and removed from the funding formula, but Science Education did say that they have been revised.

READERSHIP SURVEY | We would like to improve our communications with you. Help us by filling out our readership survey | http://rsc.li/rscnews-survey FEBRUARY 2013 RSC NEWS 5 onetoone Take advantage of a wide range of member services

2013 is off to a good start, January has passed and hopefully all your New Year’s resolutions are still in place. What would be a better goal for 2013 than to develop yourself and your career?

Continuing Professional Development (CPD) is the means by which professionals maintain, improve and broaden their knowledge and skills. Through CPD they develop the personal qualities required in their working lives. For many scientists this also includes keeping up to date with new developments in their field. CPD is, or ought to be, part of everyone’s career goals, whether you are content in your job and organisation or looking for something new. So what does CPD involve and why should you do it? CPD could be anything from formal training or qualifications at work, or even attending conferences as part of work or study. It can also include reading journals or trade publications such as Chemistry World or writing articles and material for publication. How can the RSC support what’s going on in chemistry the revalidation of our Chartered through our surveys and reports, Chemist Status (CChem), it If you are into social media, then you in continuing your RSC News, Chemistry World, soon became apparent that this using Twitter, reading or writing professional development? MyRSC and you can access 30,000 tool could be useful for all of blogs and contributing to groups Whether you currently record books and 2,000 journals through our members. Designed to be and forums all count. You can these activities formally through our library. intuitive and quick to use, the blur the line between formal and an appraisal process in your CPD tool allows you to create informal CPD. And if you prefer current role, or fill in a CPD record You may not officially call an objective and link it to your a face-to-face approach, then for us or another professional these activities “professional activities, all within 10 minutes. networking also contributes. body, there are things the RSC development”, you may consider it You don’t need to count hours of can do to support you. In 2013 Your career can also benefit from as being part of your job or “giving work or attend meetings for this. we are running events through the activities you do outside something back”; you may just do It is a process entirely based on our interest groups, covering work, so CPD can also include it because you enjoy it – as long reflecting upon your work and almost every area of chemistry. community activities such as as you are developing yourself your activities. We have specific sessions on mentoring or volunteering. that’s exactly what CPD is. It is getting chartered status and Many people develop their part of everything you do and it is

maintaining your CPD. There are ▲ skills while on a career break or applicable at every stage of your also opportunities to get involved MORE INFORMATION having retired. For the retired, development. with chemistry at a local and even For more information on community activities may play national level through our Local During 2012 the careers team Career and Professional a bigger part in their CPD cycle Sections or supporting members got involved with a project Development visit than for someone in full time through the Benevolent Fund. to create an online CPD tool. work or education. www.rsc.org/cpd You can keep up to date with Originally developed to support

6 RSC NEWS FEBRUARY 2013 A closer look at our members and their interests 60 Romeela Mohee seconds of life in farming communities. African soils are with... How did you first become interested in Q known to be nutrient-poor and usually have to be environmental engineering? amended with fertilisers to promote plant growth A In the late 1980s when I was studying chemical and produce good crops. In most countries in Africa engineering at Institut National des Sciences these synthetic fertilisers have to be imported and Appliquées de Lyon, Mauritius was facing several this can be very costly. environmental problems, particularly with the management of waste and wastewater generated My research aims to develop a low-cost solution by the rapidly developing tourism industry. to that problem. The idea is to build effective Being a small island developing state, it had to organic fertilisers that can be produced from the respond to growing international pressure on rising amounts of waste produced in urban areas of global environmental issues. I wanted to work on Africa to deliver organic matter, humus and useful finding solutions to these kinds of challenges, so I nutrients to soils. chose to do my final year degree project on waste management, along with six months’ training in a Q What is your greatest achievement so far? wastewater treatment plant. ROMEELA MOHEE A I recently developed low-cost solutions for Professor of Chemical and organic waste management on the island of What are you working on at the moment? Environmental Engineering Q Rodrigues, which empowered many of the farmers A My current research investigates ways of there. My work over the years on resource recovery Romeela is an environmental transforming waste products into useful outputs, from waste and enrichment of compost has chemist whose research such as compost and energy. Mauritius generates succeeded in changing the attitudes of Mauritians focuses on solid waste around 1,200 tons of waste every day, the majority and policymakers to introduce composting as an management, composting of which is disposed of as landfill. But the island’s appropriate waste treatment technology. and bioenergy production. capacity to store landfill is rapidly decreasing. She is also the Dean of the Furthermore, Mauritius is an agricultural country Another achievement I feel very proud of is helping Faculty of Engineering at that is heavily dependent on imported chemical to increase female enrolment in the four-year the University of Mauritius, fertilisers for soil productivity and on the chemical engineering undergraduate course at the and is the first woman combustion of fossil fuels for energy. University of Mauritius. The ratio of women to in Mauritius to hold this men is now more than 60%. One of my greatest position. She has authored My research into composing waste involves challenges was becoming accepted in a male or contributed to over 70 looking at the best ways to enrich compost, using world as the first woman to become a Professor international publications, chemical and microbiological means to match of Engineering and as the first female Dean of including four books. the nutrients present in chemical fertilisers as the Faculty of Engineering at the University of closely as possible. I am also looking into ways to Mauritius. maximise energy recovery from advanced pyrolysis of non-compostable waste, and am investigating Q What advice do you have for young “Mauritius a by-product of this process – biochar – which researchers that want to make a difference to can be used as a soil amendment to increase the society? generates 1,200 sequestration of carbon in soil. This carbon-sink Young scientists need to stay committed to technology may turn out to be a useful product in A tons of waste their research interests and pursue their dreams, mitigating climate change. everyday. The irrespective of problems they will face during difficult times. Today we live in a highly advanced How does your research contribute to island’s capacity Q scientific and technological world and a steady agriculture in Africa? to store it in supply of up-and-coming research talent is A The research leads to innovative solutions for needed to provide solutions to the challenges our landfills is rapidly proper waste disposal and, at the same time, useful world faces. Their research will contribute to the decreasing.” products that can be used to enhance the quality development of knowledge and society as a whole.

READERSHIP SURVEY | We would like to improve our communications with you. Help us by filling out our readership survey | http://rsc.li/rscnews-survey FEBRUARY 2013 RSC NEWS 7 Sparked by chemistry The founder of Kimbolton Fireworks, Reverend Ronald Lancaster, shares how his interest in chemistry led to a lifetime in manufacturing fireworks “Ex luce lucellum – out of light a little profit”

Reverend Ronald Lancaster was a chemistry teacher for 25 years and is the author of a textbook on fireworks. He was awarded an RSC fellowship for his popular public lectures and received an MBE in 1992 for his services to the fireworks industry. In 2009 he received an honorary degree in chemistry from Durham University. Kimbolton Fireworks is now the UK’s market leader in fireworks production and operator-fired displays; the company stages numerous large firework displays, and it was involved in putting together the spectacular display at the London 2012 Olympics. However, it originated from humble beginnings and a keen interest in chemistry. Ronald’s interest in chemistry started at the beginning of the Second World War. He was intrigued by his cousin reading chemistry at Cambridge and was encouraged by a local pharmacist to pursue his curiosity. Instead of his initial passion to read medicine, an interest in teaching and the church took over. His experience teaching at a prep school during the holidays, while working towards his ordination, led Ronald to move to a parish in Kimbolton, where he taught chemistry, divinity and psychology, became the college chaplain and eventually founded Kimbolton Fireworks UK Ltd.

8 RSC NEWS FEBRUARY 2013 WORDS Fascinated by fireworks Most of the chemicals found in fireworks have been RONALD LANCASTER used for several hundred years, although some, like When I was young I lived quite close to two or three toxic arsenic compounds or expensive chemicals, have firework factories and I remember seeing a display for been dropped from fireworks production. Others, like the coronation in 1937. I became fascinated by the titanium, have only become part of fireworks in the last displays and by the idea of creating new individual fifty years. Some new, complex organic materials are fireworks and explosions. prohibitively expensive, which means that their use in In the late 1960s the industry was in steep decline fireworks likely remains a long way away. because of adverse publicity, and a number of companies went out of business. While teaching I lived on-site at an Keeping the business at the forefront independent school. Along with like-minded colleagues, In the early days the fireworks business was profitable. I built workshops and stores so that I could put in a In fact, I was able to set money aside and build a new few hours of enjoying my hobby and manufacturing factory without having to borrow much from the bank. fireworks. Firework displays filled a niche at that time, and the team My first ever display took place in St Neots, at a was still behaving more like academics than businessmen. time when we were not even thinking of doing public I doubt that anyone makes a sensible profit today, because firework shows. I mainly held displays at the end of the it is easy to purchase materials from China and because summer term, in early September and during a short of the large number of people in this business. period in November. The only time I had to ask for time off during term time was to carry out a display outside Buckingham Palace for the 25th anniversary of the “Chemistry plays a small but coronation in 1978. important part in the manufacture I believe that the enjoyment of a firework display depends very much on the situation and the state of of fi reworks. Most of the chemicals mind. For example, I recall a small firework display on found in fi reworks have been used a beach on the East coast on a balmy night after a nice meal and a glass or two of wine. It did not cost very much, for several hundred years, although but it was delightful. My feeling about it might have been different had I witnessed it eating a soggy hot dog some, like toxic arsenic compounds, on a wet, foggy night on Salisbury Plain. I also recall a fantastic display on the sea off La Croissette in Cannes, have been dropped from fi reworks for which we were awarded the Vestale D’Or prize. production.” An important stage for the company was the introduction of technology. I regard myself as a fireworks It was during my time as a teacher that I was able to do a maker and this is very important to me, but I have to great deal of research, which has been enormously useful leave it to the next generation to stage the new shows today. We used to do trials at dusk and the students that that require computers, complex firing systems and boarded were used to it. musical accompaniment. By making use of these Starting as a small operation, with two or three other latest developments some amazing things have been schoolmasters, the core business has now grown to accomplished. Many of the new spectacles need huge include about 20 people in a factory that spans five acres. sums of money and very expensive equipment, which is We also have a very large number of trained part-time very different to the box of fireworks that used to give display assistants, because many of the displays are children so much pleasure back in the sixties. clearly seasonal. Competition from China has severely dented the Western fireworks industry both in the Using chemistry to create fireworks European Economic Community and the US. As a result Chemistry plays a small but important part in the we manufacture items that are either competitive or manufacture of fireworks. A small number of chemicals distinctive, which gives us an edge over the universal are used, along with a number of natural gums and Chinese fireworks display. resins. Naturally some chemicals react with each other, There is a marked decline in the number of fireworks while certain metals like magnesium or iron can corrode manufacturers and the people with the specialist and change their reactivity. Most of these reactions are knowledge required for the industry. As the last well understood and experiments over the years and significant manufacturer of display fireworks in the UK, our experience have shown which components make I have often been asked if I would do it all again. Being the best fireworks. someone who loves fireworks, my answer is yes. However, Much has been written about the chemistry involved if the idea was purely to create a profitable business, then in fireworks in recent years, but it is not surprising that the answer would have to be no. Ronald Lancaster is one of the RSC’s 175 some of the new experts have no practical experience. Today Kimbolton Fireworks remains a family-owned Faces of Chemistry – For example, many people seem to think that we business with a commitment to deliver the highest celebrating diversity use strontium nitrate to create red colours. It is used quality products and services. My original motto was in science: in military flares but not in fireworks, because it is “Ex luce lucellum – out of light a little profit”, now it is http://rsc.li/175-faces hygroscopic. “Unrivalled in quality and service”.

READERSHIP SURVEY | We would like to improve our communications with you. Help us by fi lling out our readership survey | http://rsc.li/rscnews-survey FEBRUARY 2013 RSC NEWS 9 Partnerships for success Key to a strong science base in Africa is collaboration through forging links between governments, universities, industry and the public

Collaboration is essential, particularly in Africa – a together to discuss their research and share knowledge continent where local challenges may make it more is through conferences, with speakers from leading difficult for researchers to share their knowledge and research institutes in Africa and beyond. Here, young to develop research collaborations. By facilitating scientists can share the stage with established academics interactions across and beyond Africa, the Pan Africa and it is often the first time that many will have met Chemistry Network (PACN) seeks to foster a prosperous fellow researchers from other African countries. research environment, practised at finding innovative solutions to global challenges. Each year the PACN Annual Congress brings together over 150 scientists and policymakers from a diverse Networking across and beyond Africa range of backgrounds, both in terms of geography and For the past five years the PACN has carried out a research. These annual congresses have addressed a rich number of initiatives to promote scientific networking variety of themes – from biodiversity and water waste WORDS both within Africa and between Africa and the rest of to agricultural productivity – that reflect the challenges AMY STYRING the world. One of the key ways of bringing researchers facing Africa.

10 RSC NEWS FEBRUARY 2013 Increasing Africa’s Agricultural Productivity

The RSC launched a report on Africa’s agricultural productivity at the World Academy of Sciences general conference in China in September 2012. It summarises the conclusions and recommendations that emerged from the 2011 PACN congress, representing the discussions involving 150 scientists and practitioners from 16 countries across four continents, and the detailed input of a group of experts who attended a post-congress workshop.

Effective communication The PACN also recognises the importance of good communication skills, which are essential for disseminating scientific developments and raising the profile of African research. This is vital in attracting investment, thus ensuring a sustainable science base within Africa. Flash presentations, which are three-minute teasers of a poster, are a fantastic way of providing an opportunity for younger scientists to showcase their research. Participants appreciate the chance to present their work in front of internationally acclaimed academics and industrialists. Post-congress workshops, organised in collaboration with the International Network for the Availability of Scientific Publications (INASP), provide training in Many of the research projects presented at the PACN scientific writing skills, specifically focused on some of congress demonstrate the interconnectedness of these the key elements of writing a scientific paper, preparing challenges and how a diversity of knowledge and skills poster presentations and writing a grant proposal. Such will be needed to find solutions. workshops are invaluable opportunities for researchers As is so often the case, it is the coffee breaks which to acquire the skills necessary to communicate their provide the key networking opportunities at conferences. research and improve their publication record. It is a joy to see researchers from opposite ends of the At the 2012 congress in Ethiopia, the scientific writing continent – people who otherwise may never have met workshop was followed by a Train-the-Trainer course, – discussing their research ideas. Sometimes it is these involving more experienced academics from Cameroon, snatched conversations between talks that pave the way Nigeria, Kenya, Sudan, Morocco, Ethiopia, South Africa to successful research collaborations. and Ghana, who could in turn share their knowledge with Take the example of Johannes Awudza, of Kwame younger researchers at their institutes. This helps develop University of Science and Technology in Ghana, who a self-sustaining community, where capacity building is met Paul O’Brien, of the University of Manchester. Both self-perpetuating and can be tailored to specific needs. worked in similar areas of inorganic chemistry and Peter Blenkiron, of The RSC and PACN are planning more activities across GlaxoSmithKline, talks since then have collaborated in many research projects, Africa, particularly a follow-up congress in Addis Ababa to Funmilayo Ajayi, of co-supervising a number of PhD students in the UK and in December in response to the Wealth not Waste report’s Proctor & Gamble, at Ghana. Professor Awudza says: “The PACN is a fantastic recommendations. We will also continue to support the PACN conference in opportunity to break barriers between institutions so the Centres of Excellence in Nigeria, Ethiopia, Kenya Nigeria in July 2012 that more people work together.” and Ghana. Indeed collaboration is increasingly becoming a “The PACN is requirement of grant applications, such as for the Royal a fantastic Society–DFID Africa Capacity Building Initiative, which Become an AuthorAID mentor is a funding scheme for the development of research opportunity to consortia between scientists in Sub-Saharan Africa and One way scientists can contribute to capacity break barriers research institutions in the UK. building is to become an AuthorAID mentor. Another advantage of the PACN meetings is the This can take the form of refining the writing between institutions opportunity to draw on the expertise of members of the style of a manuscript to advising on the appropriate journal for a particular article. so that more people network to produce reports that highlight ways in which the chemical sciences can contribute to tackling some of Visit www.authoraid.info for more information. work together.” Africa’s key challenges.

READERSHIP SURVEY | We would like to improve our communications with you. Help us by fi lling out our readership survey | http://rsc.li/rscnews-survey FEBRUARY 2013 RSC NEWS 11 Life engineered Highlights from the RSC’s public discussion on the science and ethics of synthetic biology

What is synthetic biology? Synthetic biology takes a rigorous engineering approach to biological systems. It is a rapidly expanding multidisciplinary field that aims to design, model and construct new biologically based parts and devices, and to redesign existing systems to perform novel functions. Work in this area could offer societal, medical and environmental benefits, and potential applications include the production of drugs, vaccines, fine chemicals, fuels and new crop varieties. Scientists from engineering, physics, chemistry and biology are increasingly engaged in this emerging field, and the UK is in a strong position to develop a thriving synthetic biology sector. Last year the UK’s first synthetic biology roadmap was published with recommendations to invest in the expansion of training and research infrastructure.

12 RSC NEWS FEBRUARY 2013 Synthetic biology has been hailed by many as a miracle machines using genetic components, and has seen cure to almost all of mankind’s problems. In a recent several success stories. speech at the Royal Society the UK Chancellor George Public acceptance is also crucial, and it is well known that Osborne said that synthetic biology will “heal, heat unpopularity can stop a new technology in its tracks. and feed us” while giving the UK economy a much For example, strong public opposition has long hindered needed boost. But there are considerable ethical and the production of genetically modified foods in Europe. social implications, and many critics doubt that current Robert Edwards, chief scientist at the Food Environment regulations are sufficient to address potential risks. The Research Agency, said: “The synthetic biology public RSC recently teamed up with the Biochemical Society dialogue launched in 2012 gave a very categorical answer and think tank BioCentre to host a panel discussion to that people are very suspicious of the food industry and explore some of these issues. did not want their food monkeyed around with.” Hope vs. hype There was general consensus among the panel that more The panel was chaired by Ehsan Masood, editor of needs to be done to inform and engage the public about Research Fortnight, who introduced synthetic biology: the science involved, and maintain open channels of “The promises are extraordinarily impressive. New communication. kinds of medicines, vaccines, new kinds of fuels and each intended to meet the needs of a rising, longer-living and Risky business more demanding population.” One of the biggest concerns from critics is that some But the scientists on the panel were quick to stress that of the potential commercial applications of synthetic claims about the world-saving potential of synthetic biology may present significant risks to human health biology are often overhyped. Dek Woolfson, of Bristol or the environment. Early on in the discussion, Masood University, explained that the aims of synthetic biology – posed the question: “Should we be commercialising a to apply engineering principles to biological systems – are technology which perhaps risks creating a new problem extraordinarily difficult: “Cells, genes and proteins exist for each one that it solves?” in interconnected systems that are very complex. It’s Lionel Clarke, chairman of the Department of Business going to be a tough job to try and deconvolute those and Innovation and Skills UK Synthetic Biology Roadmap Co- build them back up again.” ordination Group, argued that existing conventions and legislations, along with a culture of responsibility among “The promises are extraordinarily scientists, are sufficient to mitigate the greatest risks. He said: “There is always considerable scrutiny applied impressive. New kinds of medicines, in these areas. Nothing is going to move rapidly forward vaccines, new kinds of fuels and each without complying completely.” But Helena Paul, of research organisation EcoNexus, intended to meet the needs of a rising, advocated precaution: “We risk being dragged along by longer-living and more demanding technology, with technology leading and regulation and discussion lagging behind. We cannot allow political population.” expediency to take precedence over good science.” In practice, current synthetic biology techniques all Despite concerns, the continued growth of synthetic involve modifying existing organisms or systems. biology research in the UK seems inevitable, with the Although we can use engineered parts (usually modified government having pledged millions of pounds in DNA) and devices to build simple systems, we are a long funding and plans to develop more major synthetic way away from being able to engineer novel organisms biology research centres. One of the themes emphasised from scratch, which according to Daisy Ginsberg, a in the 2012 UK synthetic biology roadmap was the designer, is a novel concept from a design perspective. importance of collaboration across disciplines to develop multidisciplinary approaches to funding and training. “Using biology as a material to construct things is not This is also one of the priorities of the RSC’s Chemistry- something we have quite mastered,” she said. “Biology Biology Interface Division, which has undertaken doesn’t behave like concrete or silicon – here the material various initiatives to support interdisciplinary research, evolves, it responds to its context, and those kinds of for example in human health (see Opinion, RSC News, questions really change how you design something.” January 2013). We will continue to strengthen links with Power to the public our collaborators to deliver joint activities throughout The issues surrounding ownership and intellectual 2013 and beyond. property were also discussed. The idea that engineered biological parts should be made ‘open access’ proved Get involved controversial. On the one hand this could open the door to amateur scientists whose potentially dangerous y If you missed the discussion you can find more activities are not subject to the stringent regulations of information and watch the full recording online via academia or industry. But many argue that innovation http://rsc.li/synthbio through crowdsourcing and citizen science should be y For more information on the RSC’s activities to encouraged. The international Genetically Engineered advance the chemical sciences visit http://rsc.org/ WORDS Machine (iGEM) competition, for example, sees roadmap or email [email protected] EMMA STOYE student teams compete to design and engineer

READERSHIP SURVEY | We would like to improve our communications with you. Help us by filling out our readership survey | http://rsc.li/rscnews-survey FEBRUARY 2013 RSC NEWS 13 editorial Letters and comments on RSC activities and issues

In a month where many On chemists in Westminster, will celebrate the Chinese New Year, we Christmas & Christmas lectures bring to you a feature on how Ronald Lancaster As the leader of a small group of chemists in a government department charged with implementing the major part of an built his successful EU Directive in the 1980s and 1990s, I was very pleased to see the fi reworks business (p8). “Chemists in Westminster” feature (RSC News, January 2013). Then we look at how RSC Mine was a satisfying and important job – especially the advisory is helping African connection with UK industry. However, the downside was that despite the fact that it was we who had the technical knowledge, chemists through its Pan Africa Chemistry we were basically subservient to the Department’s policymakers, Network (p10). We also dabble into the as it was them who represented the UK at the Brussels meetings of complexities of how the fi eld of synthetic Member States. After a few years some of us persuaded the EC that biology is being shaped, with a feature the Brussels meetings should be preceded by smaller gatherings of us ‘experts’, who would then forward our considered view to those looking at the recent debate organised by attending the Brussels meetings. the RSC (p12). JB Davis FRSC Harpenden, Hertfordshire Also, as promised, we are keeping I was in Peter Borrows’s (Letters, RSC News, January 2013) A-level up with the resolution to improve our chemistry class at Battersea Grammar School in 1972 and communications with our members. And I remember one of the first practical lessons we got. We had made you could help us in that process by filling a series of chlorides – in my case it was aluminium chloride made by out a five-minute readership survey via this passing chlorine gas over heated aluminium foil or powder (all on an open bench!). Then there was a titration of a solution of the chloride link: http://rsc.li/rscnews-survey against standard silver nitrate with potassium chromate indicator. We are keen, too, to get the views of those That was when Peter pointed out the importance of taking the funnel out of the top of the burette. I have not forgotten. Peter was who are not able to fi ll out the survey online. a brilliant teacher. If that is the case, please feel free to call the Clifford Wharton CChem MRSC RSC News admin team on Dr Peter Wothers has served chemistry well, especially in the recent +44 (0)1223 432276 Christmas lectures. The first one of three was the best introduction to the sense and use of the periodic system that I’ve ever seen. Here’s hoping that you greet the New Year How I wish that it had been there when I began chemistry in 1945. and encounter happiness. Or as one Chinese He will continue his splendid guidance for youngsters during the New Year greeting says: When wealth is Chemistry Week in Cambridge next March; something to look forward to. acquired, precious objects follow. John Steggles FRSC As a long-standing retired member, may I say how pleasant it is to receive a “Season’s Greetings” card (Christmas scene at Burlington House) from the local section, Bristol and District. Many thanks indeed, it really is appreciated. Philip Fowler MRSC

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14 RSC NEWS FEBRUARY 2013 YOUR GUIDE TO diary ALL IMPORTANT EVENTS

DATES AND Announcing Major conferences DEADLINES RSC India Roadshow ISACS11 5, 7 & 11 February 2013 Challenges in Chemical Biology Photo-initiated Quantum 23-26 July 2013 Molecular Dynamics IACS Kolkata, IISc Bangalore & Boston, USA (FD163) NCL Pune, India 15-17 April 2013 Registration – now open Call for abstracts - submit now Nottingham, UK http://rsc.li/india-roadshow Following a highly successful launch in 2010 and celebrated growth year-on-year, we are proud to confirm that the significant Poster abstracts & early bird – deadline 2nd UK-India MedChem International Symposia on Advancing the Chemical Sciences (ISACS) series will return in 2013 to include Challenges in 22 February 2013 Congress Chemical Biology (ISACS11). http://rsc.li/fd163 22-23 March 2013 This conference, to be held on 23-26 July in Boston (USA), Indian Institute of Chemical will bring together outstanding researchers from across the Challenges in Technology, Hyderabad, India globe to explore the following themes: Organic Materials & Registration – now open Supramolecular Chemistry • Immunology and Microbiology http://rsc.li/med-chem-2013 (ISACS10) • Chromatin Biology and Epigenetics 18-21 June 2013 • Cancer Biology

▲ • Systems Biology Kyoto, Japan in the diary • Neuroscience Oral abstracts – deadline 4 March 2013 Submit your abstract today for the opportunity to be a part of Conferences 15 the contributed talks and extensive poster sessions which will http://rsc.li/isacs10 complement this stimulating event. Events 16 Analytical Research Forum Visit http://rsc.li/isacs11 for more information. (ARF13) Scotland 16 8-10 July 2013 Wales 16 GlaxoSmithKline & the Fabrication, Structure and Reactivity of University of Hertfordshire, Midlands 17 Anchored Nanoparticles: Faraday Discussion 162 UK

Eastern 17 10-12 April 2013 Oral abstracts – deadline Seminaris CampusHotel, Berlin, Germany 15 February 2013 North East 18 http://rsc.li/arf13 Poster abstract and early bird deadline – 15 February North West 18 The last ten years have seen dramatic developments in our Advancing the Chemistry understanding of the surface science of nanoparticles grown South East 18 of the Actinides on solid surfaces. (DD14) South West 20 Come and join a discussion in this fast evolving area of science, 16-18 September 2013 which will focus on developments and points of controversy Edinburgh, UK Ireland 20 which inevitably develop within such a field. Oral abstracts – deadline Themes to be covered: 15 February 2013 International 20 • Novel chemical methods for anchored nanoparticle fabrication http://rsc.li/dd14 • The surface science of anchored nanoparticles • CO-oxidation on nanoparticles studied in-situ • Theoretical aspects of anchored nanoparticle structure/ reactivity MORE INFORMATION To find out more about any The speakers are among the key scientists behind the recent event on this page, see renaissance of interest in ion specific effects, so don’t miss this www.rsc.org/events People & Notices 21 opportunity to hear and network with the best in the field. Call +44 (0) 1223 43 2254/2380 22 Admissions Visit http://rsc.li/fd162 for more information. Or email [email protected]

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out three experiments. South East Wales Contact James Redman Marked on basis of Section t 02920876273 Events accuracy, manipulation e redmanje@cardiff. of data and answers Chemical Processing For ac.uk to comprehension FURTHER INFORMATION A Sustainable Society questions. Winning team - A New Golden Age For Alignment of Electronic The RSC News Diary this month lists RSC events goes on to compete in Industrial Catalysis? Energy Levels At from February to March that are held on the RSC National Final. 4 February at 16:00 Electrochemical conference database. Further details on any of these Contact Dilys Jeffrey- ID=112417 Interfaces meetings can be obtained from the named contact or Smith Cardiff University 4 March at 16:00 e rsc_adscotland@ from the conference website at zProf Lars Pettersson, ID=112464 djrsmith.plus.com www.rsc.org/ConferencesAndEvents/conference KTH Royal Institute of Cardiff University Technology. zProf Michiel Sprik, Type in the specific ID number for each event in the SuBiCat I – Sustainable Contact James Redman University of Cambridge. search box. You can also browse events by type, Catalytic Conversions of t 02920876273 Contact James Redman organiser or region. Renewable Substrates e redmanje@cardiff. t 02920876273 24-26 March ac.uk e redmanje@cardiff. ID=112659 ac.uk SCOTLAND Contact Scott Jackson University of St Andrews t 01324 475173 Molecular Editing with zProf Andy Smith Fluorine Inorganic Chemistry Edinburgh and South e scott.jackson@ineos. This meeting will provide 11 February at 16:00 Awards Symposium East Scotland Section com a snapshot of the current ID=112113 8 March at 13:00 state of the art in the use ID=112603 Annual General Meeting The Railway Chemists Cardiff University of renewable resources. z Cardiff University 1830-1923 Professor Véronique 5 February at 17:00 Contact Nicholas Contact Ben Ward 6 March at 18:30 Gouverneur, University of ID=112679 Westwood t 02920870302 University of Edinburgh ID=111783 Oxford. t 01334 463 800 Contact James Redman e [email protected] zThe meeting will begin Ineos Exhibition Centre, e njw3@st-andrews. Grangemouth t 02920876273 with a talk by Dick Lacey ac.uk Structure, Disorder and zA look at the largely e redmanje@cardiff. from the Centre for Dynamics in Silicates Applied Science and unrecognised but Analytical Division - ac.uk - Multinuclear NMR Technology at 17:00. nevertheless vital work Scottish and First-Principles This will be followed by of chemists in the Schools’ Analyst Organometallic Calculations light refreshments. The development of the Competition Heat 2 Chemistry in the Solid– 11 March at 16:00 business of the meeting railway system in Britain 25 March at 09:30 State ID=112416 will begin at 18:30. by John Hudson. ID=112020 18 February at 16:00 Cardiff University Contact Derek Wann Contact Mark Dennis University of Aberdeen ID=112415 z zDr Sharon Ashbrook, t 0131 6504817 t 01324 494622 Teams of three students, Cardiff University z University of St Andrews. e [email protected] e mark1_dennis@ usually 6th form, perform Prof Andrew Weller, hotmail.com three experiments, University of Oxford. Contact James Redman t 02920876273 Mid-Scotland marked on basis of Contact James Redman e redmanje@cardiff. Section Other accuracy, technique and t 02920876273 Events comprehension. It is e redmanje@cardiff. ac.uk Primary School Outreach hoped that the winners ac.uk 1 January-31 March Scottish Regional will be one of two teams Sphingolipid ID=111845 Meeting representing Scotland at CANCELLED Asymmetric Biosynthesis in Men and Local Primary Schools 21 February at 18:30 National Final. Lewis base catalysis for Microbes 18 March at 16:00 zOur annual exercise in ID=112367 Contact Eva Krupp carbo- and heterocycle taking science, especially Glasgow Marriott Hotel e [email protected] synthesis ID=112604 chemistry, into the zRegional Meetings are 25 February at 16:00 Cardiff University local primary schools open to all RSC members. WALES ID=112478 zDr Dominic to enthuse the budding The agenda is based Cardiff University Campopiano, University chemists of the next upon current RSC goals North Wales zProf Andrew Smith, of Edinburgh. generation. and objectives and is Section University of St Andrews. Contact James Redman Contact Terry Howe aligned with the strategic Contact James Redman t 02920876273 t 01786 451740 plan. Lecture Series t 02920876273 e redmanje@cardiff. e [email protected] Contact Fiona McMillan 12 February at 16:15 e redmanje@cardiff. ac.uk t 01223 432269 ID=112382 ac.uk Whisky Aroma-ology e [email protected] Bangor University Drug Testing and the 8 February at 19:00 zDr Zoltan Takats, For Richer Pore - Porous Olympics ID=111782 Analytical Division - Imperial College London. Molecules and Materials 14 February at 12:45 Linlithgow Union Canal Scottish Organised in association Through Supramolecular ID=111470 Society Schools’ Analyst with School of Chemistry, Chemistry Swansea University zMark Davidson Competition Heat 1 Bangor University. 25 February at 16:00 zProf David Cowan, An evening looking at 4 March at 10:00 Contact Honguyn Tai ID=112667 King’s College London. the science of whisky ID=112003 e [email protected] Cardiff University Contact Bill Griffiths flavour, taste and smell Heriot-Watt University zProf Mark MacLachlan, t 01792 295274 with appropriate practical zTeams of three, University of British e w.j.griffiths@swansea. opportunities. usually 6th form, carry Columbia. ac.uk

16 RSC NEWS FEBRUARY 2013 DIARY W

Annual Dinner and MIDLANDS and snowboarders. The Other offer a tutored wine Annual General Meeting talk will also demonstrate Events tasting to accompany the 26 March at 18:30 Birmingham and how exciting research event. ID=111474 West Midlands Section projects generate media Midlands Regional Contact Brian Woodget Sketty Hall interest that helps to get a Meeting t 01438 880286 South West Wales Section Discovering New positive message across 7 February at 18:30 e [email protected] Members. Medicines - The Role Of to the public. Organised ID=112365 Contact John Davies The Chemist in association with West Holiday Inn Leicester City Essex t 01792 894778 5 February at 19:00 Midlands Chemistry zRegional Meetings are Section e j.s.davies131@ ID=112059 Teachers’ Centre. open to all RSC members. btinternet.com University of Birmingham Contact Nigel Briggs The agenda is based CANCELLED Chemical zDr John Snaith, t 01827 311205 upon current RSC goals Detectives Other University of Birmingham, e briggswmctc@ and objectives and is 5 March at 11.30 Events School of Chemistry. btinternet.com aligned with the strategic ID=112652 A lecture for sixth form plan. Moulsham High School, RSC ERDF Lecture students. Chemistry is East Midlands Contact Fiona McMillan Chelmsford 19 February at 16:15 the cornerstone in the Section t 01223 432269 An interactive session to ID=112373 continuing search for new e [email protected] assist A-level students Bangor University medicines. After a brief Annual General Meeting with their studies of z 7 March at 18:15 Dr Paul A Clarke, review of the treatment of Molecular Spectroscopy spectroscopy and other ID=112691 analytical techniques with University of York. ailments through the ages Group, NMR Discussion University of Derby Dr Alan Osborne. Total Synthesis of the lecture will look at Group zThe event will also Contact Rosemary Tetrahydropyran- the many roles played by Structure 2013 include a showcase of Carabine containing Natural chemists in the modern 26-27 February Derby University Research t 01245 260101 Products. drug discovery process. ID=112335 and a lecture. Contact Hongyun Tai In association with West University of Contact Sarah Hill Annual General Meeting t 01248 382383 Midlands Chemistry Loughborough e [email protected] t 01162582125 13 March at 19:00 Teachers’ Centre. zTwo-day meeting e hillsarahlouise@gmail. ID=112653 Contact Nigel Briggs showcasing new and Wales Regional Meeting com Brentwood School t 01827 311205 evolving techniques, 7 March at 18:30 zTo include a e briggswmctc@ workflows and ID=112369 North Staffordshire presentation by John btinternet.com applications in the broad Cardiff Marriott Hotel Section Seaman titled ‘The framework of molecular zRegional Meetings are Changing Face of Chemistry Quiz - The structure elucidation open to all RSC members. Satellite Remote Secondary Chemistry Finals of ‘small’ molecules. The agenda is based Sensing of the Education’. John has 12 March at 18:15 Organised in association upon current RSC goals Troposphere been teaching Chemistry ID=111996 with British Mass and objectives and is 22 February at 17:00 for twenty years; in that University of Birmingham Spectrometry Society. aligned with the strategic ID=112521 time education and the zThe final rounds of the Contact Steve Coombes plan. Hub for Sustainability, importance of safety have annual Chemistry Quiz e structure2013@gmail. Contact Fiona McMillan Keele undergone significant for school pupils in years com t 01223 432269 zDr Peter Borrell, changes. However, the 10 and 11. Organised e [email protected] Scientific Consultant. perception of the changes in association with West Throughout the world the EASTERN to experimental work is RSC ERDF Lecture Midlands Chemistry deteriorating air quality not as significant as many 12 March at 16:15 Teachers’ Centre. and the changing climate East Anglia believe. ID=112372 Contact John Crossley are due to the increasing Section Contact John Seaman Bangor University e j.crossley987@ burden of atmospheric e [email protected]. btinternet.com zProf Sabine Flitsch, The pollutants in the lower Analytical Division - sch.uk University of Manchester. atmosphere. These East Anglia Applications of chemical Chemical Engineering trace gases can now be Evening Social Event Half-Day Symposium - tools to study the complex and the Elements measured with satellite 7 March at 19:00 A Celebration of Women life of sugars. 19 March at 19:00 instruments, and such ID=112396 in Chemistry Contact Hongyun Tai ID=112060 observations herald a Cambridge Regional 15 March at 14:00 t 01248 382383 University of Birmingham new era for atmospheric College ID=112654 e [email protected] zProf Peter Styring, chemistry and for zThe CRC has a respected Queen Mary University of University of Sheffield, monitoring. The talk will Catering, Hospitality & London RSC ERDF Lecture Department of Chemical outline these satellite Reception department zTo be followed by a wine 19 March at 16:15 and Process Engineering. techniques and present and offers themed events reception. No registration ID=112374 A lecture for sixth form some results to illustrate as part the student’s necessary. Bangor University students. The talk will regional air pollution and training programme. The Contact Chris Bray zProf Cameron Alexander, have a snow theme longer term atmospheric East Anglia Region has t 0207882 3271 University of Nottingham. looking at how climate change. reserved the restaurant e [email protected] Synthetic polymers change is affecting the Contact Sharon George for a themed evening for drug, gene and cell mountain environment t 01782 733986 comprising of a multi- delivery. through to new e s.m.george@keele. course meal plus English Contact Hongyun Tai snowsports technologies ac.uk wine, probably from a t 01248 382383 to enhance performance local vineyard. We are e [email protected] and recreational skiers hoping that we can also

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Other of the Institute of Physics. ID=112681 NORTH WEST has developed capillary Events Contact Derry Jones This is an invite to you electrophoresis-tandem t 01535 273963 and your friends and Lancaster and District mass spectrometry as Chemistry For Non e d.jones217@btinternet colleagues to take part in Section a tool for analysis of Specialists our Pub Quiz. Each team zeptomole amounts 5-6 February Annual General Meeting should have no more than Annual General Meeting of peptides and for ID=112544 6 March at 18:30 six people. The pub quiz and Lecture characterization of the Wymondham College, ID=112147 is based on quite a few 26 February at 19:00 protein content of single Norfolk University of Leeds rounds of various topics. ID=112250 cells. Prof Dovichi – for z A joker round is available zThis four day course Dr Alan Neuff Preston College pioneering development is aimed at raising ‘Ice, Penguins and and a running score board zMeeting will be of ultrasensitive confidence and expertise Seals in a Volcano’. The will be kept. Entry Fee £3 conducted by our separations, including the in teaching Chemistry meeting will be preceded per person. There will be Chairman. Lecture given first separations at zepto- amongst non-specialist by a drinks reception cash and other prizes for by Dr Jim Wild, Lancaster and yoctomole levels and school science teachers. on arrival, followed by winning teams. There will University Physics Dept. capillary electrophoresis- Organised in association a formal dinner and an be food provided midway An illustrated lecture with based DNA sequencing through the quiz! with Science Learning after-dinner speaker. an explanation of the for the human genome. Contact Christine Rogers Contact Jackie Morton Contact Lu Shin Wong Centre – East of England. fantastic Phenomenon. t 01943 862873 e jackie.morton@hsl. t 0161-3068939 t 01992 503498 Contact Harry Clarke e christinerogrsc@gmail gov.uk e l.s.wong@manchester. e enquiries@ t 01995 640003 ac.uk eastengland.slcs.ac.uk e hclarke906@ Huddersfield Chemistry at Work btinternet.com Section 19-20 March at 15:00 SOUTH EAST Biological and Medicinal ID=112680 Chemistry Sector Other Industrial Biotechnology University of Sheffield, Downland 4th RSC SCI Symposium Events in Chemical Octagon Centre Section on Ion Channels as Manufacturing zTwo days of Therapeutic Targets North West Regional 20 February at 16:00 demonstrations from Annual General Meeting 18-19 March Meeting ID=112689 local scientific industries 25 February at 18:30 ID=111629 14 February at 18:30 University of Huddersfield and academia for school ID=112660 Abington Hall, Cambridge ID=112366 zDr Yvonne Armitage, children. This year the Betchworth Village Hall, z Liverpool Marriott Hotel The objective of Knowledge Transfer children will be from Y6 Surrey the symposium is to City Centre Network. and Y7-8. Organised in zJohn Luton, Head of Regional Meetings are showcase the most recent Contact Steve Turner association with Business Chemistry, Varndean advances in ion channel t 01484422383 and Education South open to all RSC members. College, is well known for science and to promote e steve@turners7. Yorkshire. The agenda is based his passion in enthusing scientific interaction freeserve.co.uk Contact Jackie Morton upon current RSC goals students and families between scientists with e jackie.morton@hsl. and objectives and is about chemistry. He will a shared interest in the Retired Members Lunch gov.uk aligned with the strategic be going through the field of ion channel Drug 6 March at 12:00 plan. states of matter using Discovery. Organised in ID=112690 Teesside Contact Fiona McMillan magical chemistry. At the association with SCI Fine Bradley’s Restaurant, Section t 01223 432269 Annual General Meeting Chemicals Group Heaton, Bradford e [email protected] we will review 2012, elect Contact Maggi No speaker-meal Annual General Meeting committee members and Churchouse Contact Steve Turner 1 March at 18:45 Seminar Committee, officers and discuss plans t 01359 221004 t 01484422383 ID=112663 School of Chemistry, for 2013. e maggi@maggichurch e steve@turners7. Parkmore Hotel University of Contact Chris ouseevents.co.uk freeserve.co.uk zA speaker will present Manchester Williamson and a buffet will be Robert Boyle Prize for e chris_williamson@ NORTH EAST Hull and East Yorkshire provided. Analytical Science 2012 btopenworld.com Section Contact Richard Langrick Seminar Central Yorkshire e c-richard.langrick@ 15 February at 12:00 Order, Disorder, Section Cafe Scientifique invista.com ID=112519 Flexibility, Function 27 February at 19:30 University of Manchester 28 February at 18:30 Exceptional Women and ID=112381 Harrison-Meldola zProf Norman Dovichi, ID=112052 Scientific Success King’s Head, Beverley Memorial Prize Lecture University of Notre Dame Charterhouse School, 27 February at 16:00 zDr Mark Howard, 6 March at 16:00 Prof Dovichi’s group has Godalming ID=112303 University of Kent. ID=112289 more recently focused zDr Andrew Goodwin, University of Bradford What Magnets Can Tell University of Durham its attention on chemical University of Oxford zGeorgina Ferry, Oxford Us About The Structure Of zDr Marina Kuimova, cytometry, which is the A talk into the nature of Brookes University, Nature’s Robots. Imperial College London chemical analysis of the materials and how their Department of History. Contact Mark Lorch In association with content of single cells. crystallography relates to Georgina is currently e [email protected] Durham University. This chemical cytometry their properties including working on a book on Contact Corinna Hess work has developed a magnetism, optics science in the time Sheffield and District t 0191 33 42593 suite of powerful tools and negative thermal of Shakespeare for Section e c.r.hess@durham. for the characterization expansion. Bloomsbury. ac.uk of glycosphingolipids in In association with Lecture in association 7th Annual Pub Quiz single neurons and glia. Society of Chemical with the Yorkshire Branch 14 March at 19:30 Most recently, his group Industry.

18 RSC NEWS FEBRUARY 2013 DIARY W

Contact Oliver Choroba glimpse into the lives of analytical and regulatory The Arsonist, the is a one-day meeting e owc@charterhouse. people in Biblical times. developments involved. Martian, the Cat and the featuring a range of org.uk Both members, partners Contact Amy Le Vannais Coke….oh and Dwain invited speakers, and guests are welcome t 0207572 2326 7 March at 18:30 addressing the topic of Addressing Future at the Annual General e [email protected] ID=112524 rare and valuable metals Global Megatrends Meeting and lecture. The Chemistry Centre, availability. through Sustainable Contact Dave Alker Skin Health for All - London Contact Stuart Wagland Chemical Processing t 01843 845783 Confronting the Silent zDr Tony Bristow, t 01234 750111 14 March at 18:30 e dave.alker@btinternet. Tragedy of Skin Disease AstraZeneca. e s.t.wagland@cranfield. ID=111823 com 7 February at 18:30 This lecture will look at ac.uk Charterhouse School, ID=112522 exciting applications of Godalming Thames Valley The Chemistry Centre, mass spectrometry and Marketing Group zProf Sam Kingman, Section London how it is used in ways that Applications of Positron University of Nottingham. zDr Paul Matts, P&G directly affect our lives. Emission Tomography The UK chemistry using Family Lecture - As If By Using examples and Contact Pauline (PET) industries generated Magic case studies to examine Meakins, RSC 21 March at 18:00 over £120 Bn of sales 6 February at 18:00 the science behind the t 01223 420066 ID=112586 in 2008 and, underpin ID=112403 cause and cure of skin e [email protected] The Chemistry Centre, approximately 50% of University of Reading disease, the silent tragedy London the UK economy. These zAndrew Szydlo played out in developing Colloid and Interface zProf Antony Gee, King’s businesses are under The lecture introduces countries. Science Group College, London. immediate pressure to many important Contact Pauline The Impact and Future PET utilizes ‘positron’ develop new process aspects, both historical Meakins, RSC Directions of Scattering emitting radiotracers routes to address and contemporary, of t 01223 420066 Techniques in Soft to deliver images that energy consumption, chemistry. It is illustrated e [email protected] Matter provide an insight into the increasing scarcity with a wide variety of 18-19 March the biochemical and of natural resources, demonstrations which Teaching Fellows ID=111563 physiological processes disposal of waste are presented in a lively Meeting Keble College, Oxford of the human body. products and new and authoritative manner, 20 February at 11:00 zScattering methods The biochemistry and legislation. These including magical air, ID=112684 have evolved in both physiology of the body pressures have created a water and fire. Aimed The Chemistry Centre, complexity and in is altered when it is in rapidly growing market for at 7-14 year olds, London application over the past a disease state. Since, sustainable technologies, though may be fun and zA meeting of chemistry 30 years. The aim is to altered function precedes estimated to be worth interesting for ‘big kids’. teaching fellows to share show how increasingly structural changes, $800Bn worldwide by Contact David Knox best practice and to complex chemical, PET has the capability 2015. However, there e knoxy1986@hotmail. promote networking and magnetic and biological to permit an earlier are numerous barriers com career development. systems demand a diagnosis, giving also to the commercial Contact Mario Moustras, multi-technique approach information better related implementation of these Annual General Meeting RSC in order to derive a full to prognosis and therapy. emerging technologies. and Silversmithing t 01223 420066 description of their Therefore, it is acquiring a This talk will identify Lecture e [email protected] behaviour. The meeting primary role in diagnosing these issues and suggest 19 March at 18:30 is combined with the and evaluating many ways in which they can be ID=112225 Analytical Division - 2013 Sir Eric Rideal disease states, with main overcome. University of Reading South East lecture given by the award reference to cancer. Contact Oliver Choroba zJohn Huddleston Separation Science recipient, Prof Jeff Penfold. Contact Tilele Stevens e owc@charterhouse. Annual General Meeting Group, Environmental Organised in association e [email protected] org.uk preceded by a buffet and Chemistry Group with Society of the drinks, followed by lecture Recent Advances in the Chemical Industry. Historical Group Kent on Silversmithing. Analysis of Complex Contact Claire Pizzey The History and Section Contact David Knox Environmental Matrices t 01235 778765 Chemistry of Fluorine e knoxy1986@hotmail. 28 February at 09:00 e claire.pizzey@ 21 March at 10:30 Annual General Meeting com ID=112128 diamond.ac.uk ID=112587 and Lecture The Chemistry Centre, The Chemistry Centre, 14 March at 19:00 Other London Environmental London ID=112230 Events zA meeting that aims to Chemistry Group zA one day meeting Givaudan, Ashford cover the developments Rare Earths and covering various aspects zDr Charles Sell, Perfume Joint Pharmaceutical in analytical Other Scarce Metals - of the discovery, in the Bible Analysis Group instrumentation which Technologically Vital but isolation and application Perfumery is one of the Assuring The Quality of now make it possible to Usually Thrown Away of fluorine and its oldest industries but how Medicines simultaneously analysis 20 March at 12:00 compounds. does ancient perfumery 7 February at 10:00 numerous pollutants in ID=112539 Contact John Nicholson compare with modern ID=111741 complex environmental The Chemistry Centre, t 0208 2404217 practice? Where did The Chemistry Centre, matrices with minimal London e john.nicholson@smuc. perfume ingredients London sample clean-up. zProf Thomas Graedel, ac.uk come from 3,000 years zThis symposium Contact Graham Mills Yale University. ago? Are they still used examines the critical role t +044 02392 84 2115 The Environmental today? This talk will that QPs have in batch e graham.mills@port. Chemistry Group answer these and other release and their need for ac.uk Distinguished Guest questions and give a a full understanding of Lecture and Symposium

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Progress and Challenges Contact Andy Tubb leap in our ability to study to late stage medicinal in the development and in Pharmaceutical t 0117-328-2487 biology and is poised to chemistry, preclinical running of the railway Harmonisation e [email protected] potentially revolutionise or clinical programmes. system in Britain. 21 March at 10:30 the future of medicine. The Fragment series In association with NI ID=112042 A Little Light Relief Contact Alison Hill was started in 2007 and Section & Analytical The Chemistry Centre, 13 March at 16:15 e [email protected] continues with the theme, Division NI London ID=111572 having over three-quarters Contact Dermot Hanna zAn update on technical University of Bath Analytical Division - of the presentations t 07894309840 requirements for zProf David Phillips, Past Western focused on case studies. e hughdiarmaid@ pharmaceutical products, President, Royal Society Peninsula Section The conference will btinternet.com harmonisation of CMC of Chemistry. Organiseed John Jeyes Lecture include successful and GMP for NCEs, and a in association with SCI, - Atmospheric examples from all types Other review of contemporary BSciA, University of Bath. Composition From of fragment-based Events issues resulting Contact Gan Shermer Kerbside To Global approaches, including from innovation and t 01225-385410 13 March at 16:00 high concentration, NMR, Ireland Regional globalisation. Organised in e [email protected] ID=112083 SPR and X-ray screening. Meeting association with TOPRA. Plymouth University Organised in association 28 February at 18:30 Contact Amy Le Vannais Luminescence Dating - zProf Alastair Lewis, with the Biological & ID=112368 t 0207572 2326 Radiochemistry and the University of York . Medicinal Chemistry Radisson Blu Royal Hotel e [email protected] Sand Grain Atmospheric composition Sector. Dublin 14 March at 19:00 change is a problem Contact Maggi zRegional Meetings are SOUTH WEST ID=111573 with both temporal and Churchouse open to all RSC members. University of geographic dimensions. t 01359 221004 The agenda is based Bristol and District Gloucestershire Anthropogenic e maggi@maggichurch upon current RSC goals Section zDr Phillip Toms, modifications of the ouseevents.co.uk and objectives and is University of atmosphere do not exist aligned with the strategic 33rd Annual General Gloucestershire in isolation - there are South West Regional plan. Meeting Orgnaised in association interactions with and Meeting Contact Fiona McMillan 7 February at 18:00 with SCI, BSciA. feedbacks on natural 14 March at 18:30 t 01223 432269 ID=111566 Contact Rebecca processes, many of ID=112370 e [email protected] BAWA, Filton, Bristol Tomkins which are very poorly Novotel Southampton Contact Hilary Kitchen t 01242-714506 understood. This lecture zRegional Meetings are INTERNATIONAL t 0117-939-2563 e [email protected] will examine those open to all RSC members. e papahil@blueyonder. processes which control The agenda is based Indian co.uk Analytical Division - composition on local upon current RSC goals Sections Western scales and how local and objectives and is Energy from Gas - Some Peninsula Section emissions scale over aligned with the strategic Coalescence of Chemical Chemical Aspects Analytical Division Prize regions to the globe. plan. Sciences to Confront the 7 February at 19:15 and Award Winners Key developments in Contact Fiona McMillan Future Challenges ID=111567 Symposium observation technology t 01223 432269 9-10 February BAWA, Filton, Bristol 13 February at 14:00 will be presented e [email protected] ID=112657 zAnthony Gilbert, ID=112082 along with trends and zSir Parashurambhau Seabank Power Limited Plymouth University behaviours of certain key IRELAND College, Pune In association with Energy Contact Hywel Evans atmospheric constituents. The objective of the Institute, SCI, BSciA. e hevans@plymouth. Contact Hywel Evans Northern Ireland conference is to bring Contact Colin Chapman ac.uk e hevans@plymouth. Section in the experts to t 01453-547531 ac.uk share their thoughts e [email protected] Analytical Division - Analytical Division - about interdisciplinary Western Other Northern Ireland chemical sciences, in A Pollutant’s Tale Peninsula Section Events Northern Ireland Section the perspective of fields 26 February at 19:00 Lecture - The Chemical The Railway Chemists of chemistry, materials, ID=111568 Biology of the Genome Biological and Medicinal 27 February at 19:00 medicines, and the Swindon Academy 7 March at 12:00 Chemistry Sector ID=112247 environment. Organised zTim Harrison, University ID=112084 Fragments 2013 - Fourth Queens University Belfast in association with West of Bristol. Exeter University RSC-BMCS Fragment- zDr John Hudson India Section. Contact Tim Harrison zProf Shankar based Drug Discovery Chemists were first Contact Vidya Avasare t 0117-928-8663 Balasubramanian, meeting employed as consultants t 0091 9011058117 e t.g.harrison@bristol. University of Cambridge. 3-5 March by the railways from the e vidya.avasare@gmail. ac.uk This lecture will describe ID=110646 earliest days, and later com the invention of a method STFC Rutherford Appleton they acted as full-time Lichen Chemistry to accurately determine Laboratory, Harwell, employees in railway 7 March at 17:15 the sequence of DNA Oxford company laboratories. ID=111571 at high speed and low zThe aim of the meeting When the railways were University of the West of cost on a genome scale. will be to continue the privatised in 1996, British England The approach, originally focus on case studies Rail still owned four zDr David Hill, University called Solexa (now in Fragment-based Drug chemistry laboratories. of Bristol. Illumina) sequencing, has Discovery that have This lecture describes In association with SCI brought about a quantum delivered compounds the role chemists played

20 RSC NEWS FEBRUARY 2013 PEOPLE & NOTICES W

major way. It is awarded biennially, IUPAC Young Observer consists of a citation, a medal, and a bursaries 2013 monetary award of $250,000. The 2013 Prize will be awarded in the field The RSC is offering several bursaries for of chemical instrumentation and is open young researchers to attend the next IUPAC to individuals all over the world. World Chemistry Congress and General The nomination deadline is 1 March 2013. Assembly in Istanbul on 8-16 August 2013. This is part of the ‘Young Observer’ For further information, see program which aims to introduce the work www.dreyfus.org of IUPAC to a new generation of researchers. Discount from CRC Press books

From broad, comprehensive references and handbooks to focused, cutting-edge Formed in 1919, IUPAC (International research results, CRC Press publishes Union of Pure and Applied Chemistry) books that explore the composition, represents chemists worldwide through structure, and properties of matter as well work of the highest integrity and objectivity relating to the nomenclature, terminology, as the changes it undergoes during standards and data for all the chemistry chemical reactions: whether it’s green sub-disciplines. Through its project chemistry, biochemistry, instrumentation, system, where more than a thousand pharmacognosy and natural products expert chemists are elected by peers and chemistry, materials science or anything engaged in task groups, IUPAC contributes inbetween. And now in a new scheme RSC strongly to key issues across the breadth of members can receive a 20% discount. the chemical sciences. Enter discount code MKL03 at checkout Each bursary offers up to £2,000 and you’ll receive 20% off your entire towards the cost of travel, registration and order, plus free standard shipping. accommodation. Successful Young cSmita Odedra (top) and Scott Sneddon Buy online at www.crcpress.com Observers, typically researchers under the (bottom) with James Keeler at the NMR DG age of 45, will attend meetings of the IUPAC Divisions and Standing Committees to academia, and featured a series of learn more about what the Union does and presentations covering various NMR Student Members’ how they might become involved in its related disciplines, including small Quiz winners activities. The programme provides an molecule characterisation and solid-state excellent opportunity for younger scientists NMR analyses. Participants also heard two The winners of the Student Members’ to establish international collaborations, prize winners from the annual Quiz, which ran in December 2012, are gain knowledge of global research postgraduate meeting present their Lauren Mackay from Durham University, activities and participate in the work of research. Smita Odedra from the University Simon Perry from the University of IUPAC. As part of the UK delegation, they of Glasgow gave an elegant account of her Birmingham and Lee Moir from the will take an active part in the World work to improve elimination of unwanted University of Nottingham. Each wins a Chemistry Leadership Meeting (WCLM), an background signals in 1H NMR spectra of £20 Amazon voucher. The theme for the opportunity to propose and discuss new solid samples. Scott Sneddon from the priorities for the science. University of St Andrews described his quiz was highlights of the RSC’s activities The deadline for applications is Friday 22 work to characterise aluminophosphates in 2012. March 2013. Applicants should be using solid-state NMR approaches. members of the RSC and resident in the UK Both students were awarded prizes as or Ireland. For further details please contact part of an established commitment by the The RSC and the David Clark on [email protected] NMR DG to promoting the activities of early Chemical Society of Tunisia More information: career research workers. http://www.iupac2013.org The prizes were presented by James Keeler, In a bid to build links with other chemical Chairperson of the NMR Discussion Group. societies, Andrew Scott of the RSC attended the bi-annual meeting of the NMR Discussion Group Dreyfus Prize in Chemical Society of Tunisia (CST). Christmas meeting Over 300 delegates attended the event, Chemical Sciences The annual NMR Discussion Group including strong representation from Christmas meeting was held at the The Dreyfus Prize in the Chemical Sciences chemistry departments of Tunisian Institute of Child Health on 12 December recognises an individual for exceptional Universities. The RSC has offered 2012. It was attended by established and original research in a selected area of members of CST e-membership of the researchers from both industry and chemistry that has advanced the field in a RSC for no charge for the first year.

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Robert Daniel Beresford, Fiona Binks, Jonathan Admissions – February 2013 Blohm, Rebecca Blundell, Stephen James Bradley, Claire Brechin, Hannah Buckley, Andreas Chartered Chemist (CChem) David John Evans, Gareth Evans, Ross Forgan, Matthias Bunzli, Erica Burnell, Michael James Liam Abrahamsen, Khalid Saleh Al-Ghamdi, Claire Foulon, Geraldine Garrs, Alex George, Butler, Sarah Canning, Rachel Carr, Gillian Carse, Jonathan Austin, Ederlinda Boath, Christopher Pascal George, Ute Gerhard, Amy Godfrey, Paul Vicki Samantha Chambers, Robert Stuart Laurie Broan, Julie Brown, Christopher Kenneth Burnell, Gomm, Neil Grant, Kevin Roger Groom, Boakye Chapman, Theresa Obiageli Chimamkpam, Jonathan Cheesewright, Sandra Clarke, Jonathan Gyimah, Matthew Habgood, Eleni Hagi-Pavli, Mark Paulina Ciepla, Daniel Clayden, Peter Alan Raymond Cranke, Jaime Cummins, Jonathan Thomas Halpin, Kevin Hanks, Michael Finbarr Cleaves, Matthew Thomas Clough, Vanessa Cox, Dodds, Verna Fontenelle, Naomi Rose Gahan, William Harrington, Ann Harvey, Tom Hasell, Matthew Crampton, Charlie Cummings, Lydika Melanie Gate, Mark Gibson, Stephen Gillard, Pompi Hazarika, Meilan Huang, Bogdan Ibanescu, David, Rosalind Davies, Glyn Derrick, Gennaro Mohammed Hanif, Gary David Hodgson, John Ibrahim Attai Isah, Colette Jeffery, Christopher Dichello, Gillian Donoghue, Catherine Dunford, Michael William Kyffin, Gavin Macfie, Alastair Jones, Stephen Andrew Jones, Prosper Kanyong, George Easdown, Elizabeth Eaves, Ieuan Ellis, McIntosh, Zaid Siraj Meherali, Michael Alan John Matthew Kibble, Adam Kirrander, Trudy Lynn Hazim ELSharif, Jennifer Elizabeth Eyley, Kristina Moss, Ferdinand Herbert Odero, Simon Toby Knight, Suresh Kottakota, Rui Krause, Anna Kutner, Farrugia, Nadia Fleary-Roberts, Colin Fowley, Ellen Parker, George Perry, Steve Preston, Jolanta Rakus, Fuk Yee Kwong, Georgios Kyriakou, Zagorka Le Jennifer Freeborn, Darragh Gaffney, Haneesh Christopher Rolfe, Christopher Keith Sadler, Marina Couteur, Lydia Yuen-Wah Lee, Jeremy Lerner, Hiu Gangotra, Kirsty Gibson, Laura Girdham, Hugh Sintyureva, Phillippa Maria Spencer, Tracey Ann Chi Leung, HungWing Li, Amelina Yasmine Liem, Glass, Rachel Gover, Georgina Gregory, Ahmad Taylor, Chi Wing Tsang, Mark David Vesey, Karl Chia-Yu Lin, Rob Liskamp, Fiona Lynch, Stephen Mohammed Gumel, Lynsey Harrower, Antal Wallace, Michael Webley, Kevin West Lyth, Evelyn Magennis, Pamela Martin, Henry Harsanyi, Gerard Hawkins, Richard Benjamin Paul McIntyre, Pearl McMahon, Pamela Mertz, Hayes, Xiaoyun He, Louise Stella Hitchen, Reuben Fellow (FRSC) Nimesh Mistry, John Mowat, Monalisa Mukherjea, Holmes, Charis House, Everest Hoxha, Sultan Irk, Steven Bell, Fiona Conroy, Simon Paul Earwicker, Mark Muldoon, Alexander Leishman Munnoch, Imran JanMohamed, Colette Jeffery, Tom Jellicoe, Ehud Gazit, Jinlong Gong, Patrick Jerome Guiry, Mikaela Charlotte Nash, Oscar Navarro, Hamde Claire Jones, Michael Juniper, Orla Kelly, Daniel Thomas Daniel Heightman, Paul Edward Holland, Nazar, Tahir Nazir, Geraldine Noble, Rebecca Kirton, Luka Stefan Kovacevic, Eleanor Laney, Brenda Keneghan, Ian Kinloch, Jack Melling, Mark Notman, Emmanuel Ayodele Oluyemi, Brian Daniel Lawrence, Yuandi Li, Han Liang, Sarah Murrie, Anna Nicolaou, David James Norfolk, C. O’Regan, Brendan Orner, Mark Osborne, Lynch, Cristina-Adriana Macarov, Neel Makwana, Alexander Orlov, Tina Lyn Overton, Mumtaz Samantha Osmond, Tim O’Sullivan, Gopala Fredryk Mandey, Pietro Marafini, Iwona Barbara Ahmad Quraishi, Anjali Rahatgaonkar, Alan Krishna Panchagnula, David Noel Potier, Munish Marek, Andrew Marsden, Jamie Martell, Ragini Frederick Rawle, Patrik Schmuki, Leroy Alexander Puri, Mark Rackham, Jona Ramadani, Mark Reid, Mateti, Louise Mcculloch, Gary McDowell, Emily Shervington, Scott Silverman, Peter John Skabara, Christopher Rolfe, David Rooney, Helen Rosser, McHale, Grant McKenzie, Jessica Milani, David Robert Michael Sorrell, Robert Stahl, Allan Stewart, Andrew Saunders, Shilpi Saxena, Bhavesh Shah, Miles, Ishna Mistry, Naga Kishore Modukuru, Kevin Michael Wilson, Robert Worley, Tao Zhang, Iltaf Shah, Paul Shaw, Holly Sheahan, Arvind Katharine Moore, Sam Mulholland, Nicoleta Mire Zloh Prakash Singh Raghuvansi, Graham Alexander Muresan, Shona Murphy, Sarah Katherine Skinner, Shalini Srivastava, Oliver Steward, Narramore, Chris Nortcliffe, Michael Oguntusin, Member (MRSC) Hamish Stewart, Jinyao Tang, Romesh Tenuwera, Raymond Onyekachi, Ruth Oshuntola, Ketan Stephen Colin Acreman, Robin F. Aldworth, Rachel Thompson, Ankamma Rao Thotkura, Danlu Panchal, Douglas Parker, Samuel Peel, Grace Sarah Ann Allman, Philippa Ascough, Debasish Tong, Laurent Trembleau, James Tucker, John Tyrer, Pickford, Eva Pluharova, Daniel Pohoryles, Bandyopadhyay, Anna Barnard, Mohammad Ono Ugbarugba, Aron Urbatsch, Suresh Vadiyala, Rebecca Poulten, Samuel Powley, Giles Prentice, Anwarul Basher, Katie Bell, Michael Arthur John Mercedes Vazquez, Pamela Judith Walsh, Jonathan Emma Proctor, David Pugh, Herdayanto Sulistyo Bevan, Rajbinder Bhogal, Frances Anne Bilby, Watts, Paul West, Darren Whitaker, Lai Ming Putro, Edward Oliver Pyzer-Knapp, Andrew Rankin, John Charles Beaumont Bolland, Samantha Ella Wong, Peter Wood, David Woodhead, Mai Alexander John Richardson, Adam Robinson- Booth, Stephen Bowles, Sona Brazdova, Angela Yan Yuen, Constantinos Zeinalipour-Yazdi, Ilona Miller, Alex Saunders, Shakeela Sayed, Saannya Breakspear, Michael Bridge, Daniel Bridgewater, Agnieszka Ziabska Sequeira, Shabnam Shahida, Laura Sharp, Matthew Brooks, Simon Burslem, Don Carran, Sarah Shepherd, Benjamin Shepperson, Daniel Philip Michael Carson, Ho Man Chan, Wing Tat Associate Member (AMRSC) Singleton, Alessandro Sinopoli, Graham Thomas Chan, Shaqil Chaudary, Samantha Chong, Namrata Farheen S. Abdool, Sunyhik Ahn, Emma Victoria Smith, James Michael Snaith, Nicholas Spencer, Chowdhury, Tomasz Ciuksza, Maurice Collins, Ainsworth, Robert Alford, Scott William Allen, Samuel Stevenson, Song Wei Benjamin Tan, Aneta Connell, Philip Conway, Amy L. Cooper, Rua Al-Noman, Rana Al-Rubaye, Jie An, Tanzeel Stephen Taylor, Karthik Telidevara, Joseph Robert Scott Patrick Davies, Alejandro Daz-Moscoso, Arif, Claire Ashworth, Nassilia Attaba, Nasirudeen Thompson, Laura Thwaites, Matthew Tilling, Volkan Degirmenci, Fabien Deswarte, Ann Dixon, Baba, Jennifer Bain, Katrina Bakker, Olaoye James Trebilco, Alexandra Trevenen, Sarah Upton, Hansa Doorgakant, Katherine Duncan, Giuseppe Solomon Balogun, Andrew Barrow, Florian Bay, Luke Wainwright, Bing Yi Wang, Thomas Henry Elia, Lauren Marie Ellis, Sadie Ellis, Ahmed Elmi, Simon Beal, Andrew Beggs, Michael Benstead, West, Mark David Willis, Thomas Paul Wilson,

22 RSC NEWS FEBRUARY 2013 PEOPLE & NOTICES W

Thomas Wilson, Victoria Wilton, James Wood, If nominations exceed vacancies, the Zoe Valerie Fay Wright, Yimin Wu, Cheng Yuan Vacancies and Elections Electoral Reform Services will manage the election, counting the electronic The Analytical Division Council and paper votes and reporting the Science Council Registers announce their nominees for President results to the RSC. Elect and Honorary Treasurer as Registered Science Technician Members who have provided a valid follows: (RSciTech) email address to the RSC will be able Christopher Hutchinson President Elect is Professor Melissa to vote electronically. Members who Hanna-Brown, Associate Research wish to update their email address Registered Scientist (RSci) Fellow, Pfizer Global Research and should contact [email protected] Sarah Pattinson, Darlene F Dean, Gary R Dix, David Development. by 22 March. John Dutton, Shaun David Howard, Wai Shung Honorary Treasurer is Dr Mark W Voting papers will be posted to Lam, David Neal, Steven Anthony Raw, Carolyn Ann Powell, Scientific Manager, Quay members who have not provided a Terpet, Andres Tretiakov, David Wells, Melanie de Pharmaceuticals Ltd. valid email address. Cogan, Lynne M Gemmell, Ana R C C S Rodrigues The closing date for receipt of Vieira, Lee Edwards, Oliver Steward, Ian Shortman, nominations for vacancies on Council, Engagement announcement Matthew Rawlinson, Karolina Rudzinska, Alexander Boards and Divisions is 4 March 2013. Information on the vacancies can be Ttofi, Iain Bennett, Matthew Cleveland, Mark In the valentine issue, we are pleased found at that an engagement is announced Colliins, Daniel James Groves, Mark Haplin, Anna www.rsc.org/vacanciesandelections between a long-time RSC member Jarmolinska, Nicola Ryder, Steven Tedds Walford Owen Davies CChem FRSC of Emsworth, Hampshire, and Penelope Chartered Scientist (CSci) Ruth Murray of Havant, Hampshire. Ian Tidmarsh

Deaths

Mr Brian Boughton Bach CChem Mr Roy Herbert Denning MRSC Mr Cyril Kenzie MRSC Retired Professor Philip Sherman CChem FRSC Retired. Date of death not Retired technologist, Shell UK Ltd. chemist, Shell UK Ltd. FRSC Formerly emeritus professor, supplied Died 22 November 2012, aged 76 Died 13 November 2012, aged 69 University of London. Mr James Arthur Raymond Bates Mrs Margaret Wreford Dorn CChem Mr William Thomas Lee CChem FRSC Died March 2012, aged 89 CChem FRSC Retired. Died 16 June MRSC Retired lecturer, Stockton Retired director and general manager, Dr John Sheldon Showell MRSC 2012, aged 84 Billingham Technical College. MacDermid Oxygen SA, Switzerland. Retired programme director, National Mr Frank Egginton Bott CChem MRSC Died January 2012, aged 74 Died 30 October 2012, aged 85 Science Foundation. Retired. Died 24 July 2012, aged 94 Mr George Elliott CChem FRSC Mr Stewart Ian Millman MRSC Died 21 February 2012, aged 86 Dr George Ludovic Buchanan MRSC Retired research associate, GEC Formerly proprietor, Quantum Mr Israel Reuben Silverman CChem Formerly honorary senior research Research Laboratories, Chelmsford. Corporation Finance. FRSC Formerly consultant. fellow, University of Glasgow. Died 23 October 2012, aged 90 Died 19 June 2012, aged 63 Date of death not supplied Died 3 January 2012, aged 91 Mr James William Farrell-Jones Professor Paolo Mirone MRSC Professor Takashi Tokoroyama Professor Albert Joseph Castro CChem FRSC Formerly managing Formerly emeritus professor, MRSC Retired professor, Osaka City MRSC Retired professor of chemistry, director, Geochem-Forensics Ltd. Universita Di Modena. University. California State University, USA. Died 31 August 2012, aged 61 Died 9 January 2012, aged 85 Date of death not supplied Date of death not supplied Professor Nicholas Charles Handy Mr John Peter Moore CChem MRSC Mr Adrian Carey Tolchard MRSC Mr Richard Henry Chambers MRSC CChem FRSC Formerly professor. Retired. Died 19 June 2012, aged 81 Formerly senior consultant, Areva Risk Retired. Died 16 November 2012, Died 2 October 2012, aged 71 Mr Anthony John Morgan CChem Management Consulting Ltd. aged 81 Dr Dennis Frederick Heath MRSC MRSC Retired. Died 12 December Died 22 August 2012, aged 68 Professor Joseph Cunningham Retired. Date of death not supplied 2012, aged 91 Dr Derek Walker CChem FRSC CChem FRSC Formerly emeritus Mrs Sandra Amanda Henson CChem Dr Edward Norman Morgan CChem Formerly consultant. professor, University College Cork. MRSC Formerly science technician, MRSC Retired. Died 18 November Died April 2012, aged 80 Died 21 August 2012, aged 81 Stantonbury Campus. 2012, aged 91 Dr Raymond Lloyd Williams CBE Mr Roger Alleyn Davison CChem Died 2 December 2012, aged 40 Dr Philip Reasbeck OBE CChem FRSC CChem FRSC Retired director, MRSC Retired assistant technical Dr Matthew Arnold Hepworth MBE Retired chief scientist and director of Metropolitan Police Forensic Science manager, Courtaulds Plc. CChem MRSC Retired senior manager, research, Lucas Industries Ltd. Laboratory. Date of death not supplied T.& N Technology Ltd. Died 31 May 2012, aged 88 Died 19 November 2012, aged 85 Mr Christopher Alan Dawes MRSC Died 23 December 2012, aged 84 Dr Terence Robert Roberts FRSC Formerly pollution control officer, Telford & Wrekin Council. Retired independent consultant. Died 21 November 2012, aged 69 Died 27 November 2012, aged 69

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Fabrication, Structure and Reactivity of Anchored 23rd International Symposium: Synthesis in Organic Nanoparticles (FD162) Chemistry 10-12 April 2013, Berlin, Germany 22-25 July 2013 , Oxford, UK http://rsc.li/fd162 http://rsc.li/os23

Photo-initiated Quantum Molecular Dynamics Challenges in Chemical Biology (ISACS11) (FD163) 23-26 July 2013, Boston, USA 15-17 April 2013, Nottingham, UK http://rsc.li/isacs11 http://rsc.li/fd163 Challenges in Chemical Renewable Energy (ISACS12) Challenges in Organic Materials & Supramolecular 3-6 September 2013, Cambridge, UK Chemistry (ISACS10) http://rsc.li/isacs12 18-21 June 2013 , Kyoto, Japan http://rsc.li/isacs10 Advancing the Chemistry of the Actinides (DD14) 16-18 September 2013, Edinburgh, UK Electroanalysis at the Nanoscale (FD164) http://rsc.li/dd14 1-3 July 2013, Durham, UK http://rsc.li/fd164 Self-Assembly of Biopolymers (FD166) 16-18 September 2013, Bristol, UK Analytical Research Forum (ARF13) http://rsc.li/fd166 8-10 July 2013, Hertfordshire, UK http://rsc.li/arf13 Mesostructure and Dynamics in Liquids and Solutions (FD167) 11th International Conference on Materials Chemistry 18-20 September 2013, Bristol, UK (MC11) http://rsc.li/fd167 8-11 July 2013, University of Warwick, UK http://rsc.li/mc11

Tropospheric Aerosol - Formation, Transformation, Fate and Impacts (FD165) 22-24 July 2013, Leeds, UK http://rsc.li/fd165 Register with us and keep ahead in your field

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