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A E S S S L T A E A C R C I yyyyN S M S E E H C C T N IO A November 2003 Vol. LXXXII, No. 3 yyyyC N • AMERI

Monthly Meeting Norris Award to David N. Harpp

J.F. Norris and the Award Biography of J. F. Norris, Origin of the Award

Book Review “Thieves, Deceivers and Killers” by Wm. Agosta

Communication An article by D. Lipp Garden State Exhibit Center Somerset, NJ

• 600+ Papers November 17–20, 2003 •Invited and Contributed Symposia and Poster Sessions • Eight Major Award Presentations • 200+ Exhibitors • One-and Two-Day Short Courses • Exhibitor Workshops • Employment Resource Center • Special Symposium for the 75th Anniversary of the Discovery of the Raman Effect

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S a — e Visit the EAS website at www.eas.org Y E d 0 u 4 For updates on program, short courses, workshops, c r a e t v i O registration, and housing; or to request a copy of the ng r A fo na sts Preliminary Program for the 2003 EAS lytical Chemi

2 The Nucleus November 2003 The Northeastern Section of the American Chemical Society, Inc. Office: Marilou Cashman, 23 Cottage St., Contents Natick, MA 01760. 1-800-872-2054 (Voice or FAX) or 508-653-6329. and the Award ______4 e-mail: [email protected] Biography of Norris and how the award came about Any Section business may be conducted via the business office above. NESACS Homepage: Monthly Meeting ______5 http://www.NESACS.org J.F. Norris Award to David N. Harpp (McGill University): “Communicating Samuel P. Kounaves, Webmaster Chemistry” Washington, D.C. ACS Hotline: 1-800-227-5558 Officers 2003 New Nucleus Editor Sought ______8 Chair: John L. Neumeyer 12th Annual Northeast Regional Undergraduate Day ______9 Harvard Medical School/McLean Hospital November 1 at Boston University; Research talks, résumé reviews, workshops 115 Mill St., Belmont, MA 02478 617-855-3388; [email protected] Councilor Reports ______9 Chair-Elect: Jean A. Fuller-Stanley Reports from the National Fall ACS Meeting Chemistry Department, Wellesley College Wellesley, MA 02481-8203 Continuing Education ______10 781-283-3224; [email protected] ACS Short Course: Statistical Analysis of Data. Nov. 20-21 at Northeastern Immediate Past Chair: Morton Z, Hoffman University Chemistry Department, Boston University Boston, MA 02215-2507 Book Review ______11 617-353-2494; [email protected] “Thieves, Deceivers and Killers. Tales of Chemistry in Nature” by W. Agosta, Secretary: reviewed by D. J. Sardella Michael Singer Sigma RBI 3 Strathmore Rd. Board of Directors ______13 Natick, MA 01760-2447 Notes of the meeting of May 8, 2003 508-651-8151x291 [email protected] Communication______14 Treasurer: James Piper By Dana Lipp 19 Mill Rd., Harvard, MA 01451 978-456-3155 Cover: David N. Harpp (Mc Gill University), 2004 James Flack Norris [email protected] Awardee for Excellence in Education. Auditor: Anthony Rosner Deadlines: January 2004 issue: November 13, 2003 Archivist: Myron Simon February 2004 issue: December 11, 2003 20 Somerset Rd. Newton, MA 02465; 617-332-5273 [email protected] Trustees: Joseph A. Lima, Esther A.H. Hopkins, Michael E. Strem, Councilors: Alternate Councilors: Term Ends 12/31/2003 Term Ends 12 /31/2003 The Nucleus is distributed to the members of the Northeastern Section of the American Chemical Catherine E. Costello Wallace Gleekman Society, to the secretaries of the Local Sections, and to editors of all local A.C.S. Section publications. William Klemperer Arno H.A. Heyn Forms close for advertising on the 1st of the month of the preceding issue. Text must be received by the Dorothy J. Phillips Howard R. Mayne editor six weeks before the date of issue. Barbara Wood Alfred Viola Editor: Arno Heyn, 21 Alexander Rd., Newton, MA 02461, Term Ends 12/31/2004 Term Ends 12/31/2004 Tel: 617-969-5712, FAX: 617-527-2032; e-mail: [email protected] Thomas R. Gilbert Timothy B. Frigo Patricia H. Hamm Donald O. Rickter Associate Editors: Myron S. Simon, 20 Somerset Rd., W. Newton, MA 02465, Tel: 617-332-5273 Michael J. Hearn Lawrence T. Scott Mukund S. Chorghade, 14 Carlson Circle, Natick, MA 01760: Arlene W. Light Derk A. Wierda [email protected] Term Ends 12/31/2005 Term Ends 12/31/2005 Board of Publications: Marietta H. Schwartz (Chair), Patrick M. Gordon, Vivian K. Walworth, Mary T. Burgess Michaeline F. Chen E. Joseph Billo (Consultant) Morton Z. Hoffman Patrick M. Gordon Business Manager: Karen Piper, 19 Mill Rd., Harvard, MA 01451, Tel: 978-456-8622 Doris I. Lewis Truman S. Light Amy E. Tapper Michael Singer Advertising Manager: Vincent J. Gale, P.O. Box 1150, Marshfield, MA 02050, Tel: 781-837-0424; FAX: 781-837-8792 All Chairs of standing Contributing Editors: Edward Atkinson, History of Chemistry; Dennis Sardella, Book Reviews; Committees, the editor Marietta H. Schwartz, Software Reviews. of THE NUCLEUS, and Calendar Coordinator: Donald O. Rickter, e-mail: [email protected] the Trustees of Section Proofreaders: E. Joseph Billo, Mukund S. Chorghade, Donald O. Rickter, M.S. Simon Funds are members of the Webpage: Webmaster: Samuel P. Kounaves, [email protected] Board of Directors. Any Asst. Webmasters: Terry Brush, [email protected] Councilor of the American Chemical Society Kurt Heinselman, [email protected] residing within the section area is an ex officio member of the Board of Directors. Copyright 2003, Northeastern Section of the American Chemical Society, Inc. The Nucleus November 2003 3 The James James Flack Corporate Patrons AstraZeneca R&D Boston Flack Norris Norris Corporate Sponsors 1 By Avery A. Ashdown , M.I.T. Aerodyne Research Inc. Award When James F. Norris began his assist- Cambridge Isotope Laboratories for Outstanding Achievement antship in the Chemistry Department New England BioLabs, Inc. in the Teaching of Chemistry of the Massachusetts Institute of Tech- Sigma-RBI nology in October 1895, he was Strem Chemicals Inc. In 1948 the Northeastern Section was a twenty-four years old and fresh from beneficiary of the estate of Anne C. the doctorate awarded by Johns Hop- Donors Norris, the widow of James Flack Nor- kins University in June of that year. Consulting Resources Corp. ris, with an outright gift of $10,000 Born in Baltimore, Maryland, January and the sharing of the residue of her 20, 1871, he was one of nine children Houghton Chemical Company estate in equal parts with M.I.T. “…to of the Reverend and Mrs. Richard Nor- Organix Inc. perpetuate the memory of my said hus- ris (Methodist). His elementary school- band James F. Norris.” ing was at Miss Jennie Gardner's A committee was set up to explore School for Boys in Georgetown, D. C., how best to use the money, with Gus- where his father was serving as a pas- New Members tavus J. Esselen as one of the prime tor. Later he attended the Central High Includes members relocated to the movers. The decision was announced School in Washington. While in this Northeastern Section in January, 1950 that a James Flack school, he was a member of the Drum Invitation to attend a Section Norris Award shall be founded for out- Corps, High School Cadets. Secondary meeting standing achievement in the teaching education completed, he enrolled in You are cordially invited to attend of chemistry, particularly when demon- in 1889 and one of our upcoming Section meetings strated at college or secondary school remained through years of graduate as guest of the Section at the social levels, rather than shown in research. study, leading to the doctorate in chem- hour and dinner preceding the meeting. This approach to memorialize Norris istry in 1895. At what exact age chem- Please call Marilou Cashman for a recognized the emphasis he placed on istry began to hold his interest is not reservation, letting her know that you teaching, and the Committee’s feeling certain but it must have been before are a new member. ◆ that another award for outstanding 1892 when he was teaching this sub- research would be lost in the crowd. ject in the University of Maryland. His The early recipients were chosen final year at J.H.U., 1894-5, was by a secret committee. But in 1954 the brightened by an appointment as a Fel- Directions Norris Award Committee was estab- low (stipend $375, plus tuition). His Holiday Inn, Newton lished as one of the elected committees life-long pursuit of travel in summer, of the Section. chiefly in Europe, began at this time. 399 Grove Street The first presentation was made in In 1892 he became the official delegate From I-95/128 Southbound May, 1951 at the Harvard Club to of the students of Johns Hopkins Take Exit 21B/22 keeping sharp right George Shannon Forbes, an old friend University to the 300th Celebration of (“MBTA”) into Grove St. After cross- of Norris, an outstanding teacher at the University of Dublin. In the ing over Rte. 95/128, The Holiday Inn both Harvard and, in retirement, at summer of 1894 he worked with the is the first building on the left. Parking Northeastern University. Since then the U.S. Coast Survey, stationed at Lynn, at the rear. award has been made annually to out- Massachusetts. The summer of 1896 An elevator to the lobby serves all lev- standing teachers at all levels. saw him, with Henry Fay (M.I.T.), els. The income from the bequest has touring England, France, and Germany. From I-95/128 Northbound increased sufficiently to sponsor a sec- Not only teaching in the Univer- Exit 22 to Grove St. The Holiday Inn is ond award, the James Flack Norris sity of Maryland, but coaching classes immediately on the left. Award for Physical Organic in mathematics and science in his final From the Mass. Turnpike Chemistry, which is administered by graduate year at Johns Hopkins had, in Exit to Rte. I-95/128 Southbound. the American Chemical Society and is a sense, prepared him for a life-long By MBTA presented annually at the National devotion to teaching and research. In Take the Riverside Green Line (“D”) ACS Spring Meeting. his first classes at M.I.T. he was to the end. Exit the station and parking The above has been abstracted from continued on page 6 lot to Grove Street (on your left). Turn accounts written by the late Avery A. Ash- 1 From The NUCLEUS, 1996 LXXV (3), right into Grove St. and walk to the down and by Myron Simon, Archivist. ◆ 4, revised from an earlier version. Holiday Inn, (total 900-1000 feet). ◆

4 The Nucleus November 2003 Monthly Meeting Biography The 846th Meeting of the Northeastern Section of the American After obtaining a Bachelor’s degree Chemical Society from Middlebury College in 1959, Pro- fessor Harpp earned a Master’s at Wes- James Flack Norris Award Meeting leyan University and then the Ph.D. at Thursday, November 13, 2003 the University of North Carolina in Holiday Inn, 399 Grove St., Newton, MA, Riverside Room 1965. After a postdoctoral period at Cornell University, he joined the 5:30 pm Social Hour Chemistry Department at McGill Uni- 6:30 pm Dinner versity in Montreal, Canada in 1966. He was promoted to Associate Profes- 7:45 pm Evening Meeting, Dr. John Neumeyer, Chair, presiding sor in 1971, to Full Professor in 1975 James Flack Norris, Dr. Myron Simon and is presently the Sir William C. Introduction of the Awardee: Dr. J. A. Schwarcz Macdonald Professor of Chemistry. Presentation of the Award to Dr. David N. Harpp He has taught a number of courses Sir William C. Macdonald Professor of Chemistry, during this time with a major emphasis McGill University on introductory organic chemistry as Award Address: Communicating Chemistry – From Large Classes well as a suite of highly popular to the Larger Public courses at McGill entitled “The World Dinner reservations should be made no later than noon, November 6. Please of Chemistry” dealing with such sub- call or fax Marilou Cashman at (800) 872-2054 or e-mail at jects as the practical considerations of [email protected]. Please specify Chicken or Vegetarian. Reservations food, drugs and modern technology not cancelled at least 24 hours in advance must be paid. Members, $28.00; including the aspects of the environ- Non-members, $30.00; Retirees, $18.00; Students, $ 10.00. ment. Over 25,000 students have been THE PUBLIC IS INVITED. in his classes and his efforts have Anyone who needs handicap services/transportation, please call Marilou resulted in numerous teaching awards Cashman a few days in advance so that suitable arrangements can be made. from McGill, Canada and the United Free Parking in the hotel garage. States. This includes the inaugural Next Meeting: December 11, 2003, Joint meeting with the Medicinal Chem- Edward Leete Award of the Organic istry Group. Radisson Hotel, 15 Middlesex Canal Pk., Woburn.3:00: Afternoon Division of the American Chemical Symposium: New Approaches in the Treatment of Cancer; Julian Adams (Mil- Society for Excellence in Teaching and lenium) “Velcade”, Andre Rosovsky(Dana Farber), title: TBA; 5:30: Social Research in 1995 as well as an hon- Hour and Dinne; 7:45: Evening Meeting: Paul Manley (Novartis) “Targeted orary degree from Acadia University in Drugs for Cancer Therapy. Gleevec: A new Paradigm.” 2000. He has published nearly 200 this talk, culminating in the creation of research articles in his specialty of The McGill Office for Science and organosulfur chemistry as well as over Abstract Society, having programs and courses 20 articles on teaching, chronicling This lecture will summarize some for students and the general public on experimentation with various visual aspects of over 37 years of teaching important aspects of chemistry from methods in the classroom, including a chemistry at McGill University where food to forensic science to plastics. A novel lecture retrieval technique large classes have usually been part of summary of the most recent develop- whereby students can access lectures at the teaching regimen. A summary of a ment of providing lectures fully online any time, including synchronized number of innovations to help the (visuals with synchronized sound) will sound and slides. He lives in St. Lam- medicine go down will be outlined in be given. ◆ bert, Quebec with his wife who is a professional artist. He has two daugh- Have you seen the new NESACS website yet? ters who also teach. One is a high school English and Drama instructor in Updated frequently • Late-breaking news, position postings Pasadena, and the other is a Back issues of the Nucleus archived in .pdf format faculty member in the Department of Geology at Colgate University in WWW.NESACS.org Hamilton, New York. ◆

The Nucleus November 2003 5 Industrial Chemistry,” a text book for 1915, third edition, 1933, total issue James Flack Norris students, destined to be widely used. also over 70,000. His textbook, “Inor- Continued from page 4 (First edition; October 1898, the third ganic Chemistry for Colleges” was associated with James Mason Crafts edition, in 1916, in collaboration with published in 1921, third edition with (of the Friedel and Crafts reaction) and Warren K. Lewis, Professor of Chemi- Professor Ralph C. Young of M.I.T. in gave a course in organic preparations. cal Engineering at M.I.T ) 1938. “Laboratory Exercises in Inor- The next year he added a series of lec- The life-long friendship with ganic Chemistry,” co-author Professor tures on the history of chemistry. In Henry Fay had begun when both men Kenneth L. Mark of Simmons College, 1899 he gave the brief course in came to M.I.T as assistants in chem- appeared in 1922. organic chemistry and became associ- istry in 1895. Together they published In 1900, advancement to Assistant ated with in the their method for the “Iodometric Professor of Organic Chemistry at. search for new organic preparations Determination of Selenous and Selenic M.I.T. gave him a larger position in the and reactions. The year 1900 saw him Acids” in volume 18, 1896, of the chemistry department. In spite of this advanced to the rank of assistant pro- American Chemical Journal. This favorable development, his official fessor of organic chemistry and paper was the first bearing the name of connection with M.I.T. was interrupted engaged to Anne Bent Chamberlin, a Dr. Norris. It was followed at once by in 1904 by appointment to Professor of student at the Museum of Fine Arts in his thesis for the doctorate, “The Chemistry at Simmons College, organ- Boston. Action of Halogens on the Methy- ized in Boston in 1899 and destined to On February fourth, 1902, Anne lamines” with , appearing be known, for a time, as the M.I.T. for and he were married in St. John’s in the same journal, volume 19, 1896. women students. Through eleven years Church, Washington, D. C., where her These two papers head the list of sev- he devoted himself to building up the parents made their home while she was enty publications, mostly in the Ameri- chemistry department at Simmons. a student at the Museum. Henry Fay, can Chemical Journal and the Journal While at Simmons he took a sabbatical also a young professor at M.I.T. and a of the American Chemical Society. leave in 1910 to study physical chem- close friend, was best man at the wed- Four books, all published by McGraw istry with Professor Fritz Haber in the ding. The new Norris family took up Hill, also came from his pen. The first, Technische Hochschule at Karlsruhe in residence at 124 Anawan Avenue, West “The Principles of Organic Chem- Baden, Germany. With Mrs. Norris he Roxbury (Boston), near the home of istry”, 1912, third edition, 1933, total took up living quarters in a pension in Professor Frank H. Thorp of M.I.T., issue over 70,000. The second book, Karlsruhe. Dr. Norris always took already working on his “Outlines of “Experimental Organic Chemistry,” great satisfaction from this phase of his post-doctoral experience. He found, increasingly, that the physical chemical GATEWAY CHEMICAL points of view he gained, gave him new insight into organic chemistry. TECHNOLOGY The year was not all laboratory work. Dr. and Mrs. Norris passed a winter vacation in Berlin and Dresden. In the CUSTOM SYNTHESIS spring recess they traveled in Italy. • Pharmaceuticals During the summer of 1911, three of • Agrichemicals Dr. Norris’ sisters joined them for a • Combinatorial Platforms grand tour, including Paris, Holland, • Competitor's Products England, and Scotland. • Intermediates Came the year 1915, Dr. Norris • Analytical Standards resigned his position at Simmons to • Metabolites accept the professorship of chemistry in Vanderbilt University in Nashville, PROCESS DEVELOPMENT Tennessee. Association with this out- • Process Evaluation standing university in the Southland, • New Route Development although very rewarding, was to be for only one year. SPECTROSCOPIC SERVICES In June, 1916, he was asked to • LCMS (APCI and API-ES) return to M.I.T. where, in October, he • NMR (300 MHz) • GCMS (EI) became Professor of General Chem- istry. When he left Vanderbilt, students 11810 Borman Dr • Saint Louis, Missouri 63146 and staff combined to present him with 314.220.2691 (office) • 314.991.2834 (fax) a silver cigarette case, bearing the www.gatewaychemical.com • [email protected] inscription “Sunny Jim.” This appella-

6 The Nucleus November 2003 graduate students. In 1925 he was their summer home “Good Cheer.” The James Flack Norris made an Honorary Member of the center of social life of their home was Continued from page 6 Royal Institution of Great Britain. In the “porch” where, often, there were tion he accepted with great pleasure. In the same year he was elected President record dances in the evening. Dr. Nor- fact, all of his associates, both at that of the American Chemical Society, a ris had a den for study and writing, time and thereafter, recognized his new position he held for a second term. For detached from the main house, where name as most descriptive of his general three years, 1925-1928, he was Vice he worked every morning, writing on disposition and character. President of the International Union of his books. After lunch he swam in the By the autumn of 1916, World Pure and Applied Chemistry. Eventu- lake with companions and in the War I, increasing in fury in Western ally, association with the Union took evening mingled with guests on the Europe for two years, had been build- him on several trips abroad, to Ruma- porch. ing up a condition of deep concern for nia in 1925, to Warsaw in 1927, to Dr. and Mrs. Norris were patrons the United States. In October 1917, Dr. Lucerne, Switzerland, in 1936, and to of art galleries both in the United Norris was granted leave of absence Rome, Italy, in 1938. His long term as States and in Europe. Dr. Norris was from M.I.T. for one year, to “render a Director of the national American an ardent movie fan and a devoted fol- special service to the government in Chemical Society ended in 1934 with a lower of Sir Harry W. Lauder, Scottish the present emergency.” He worked testimonial luncheon in New York comedian and entertainer for half a first on gas problems at the Bureau of Two other activities were also in century. Many people, still living [that Mines in Washington, D. C. Later he this period. First came the address on was in 1965!, ed.], will recall such was in charge of “Offence Chemical “Chemistry in National Defense” Harry Lauder songs as “I Love a Research” at the Bureau. Early in 1918 before the Institute of Politics at Lassie,” “Roamin’ in the Gloamin’ “ he was appointed Lieutenant Colonel, Williamstown, Massachusetts, in and “It’s Nice to Get Up in the Chemical Warfare Service, U.S. Army. August 1926. Second, in June, 1928, Mornin’ but its Nicer to Lie in My His headquarters were in London. In he was chosen a member of the educa- Baid.’ 1919 he was appointed to the Interal- tional delegation to the USSR, of Many honors came to Dr. Norris. lied Gas Conference. Finally, (1919) which John Dewey of Columbia was He was elected to the Society of the Dr. Norris was in charge of investigat- chairman. Sigma XI, Phi Beta Kappa and Alpha ing the manufacture of war gases in the From early years, Dr. Norris was Chi Sigma, the professional chemical German chemical plants. His final war asked to be a special lecturer on fraternity. He was a member of the service was with the American Univer- organic chemistry at several different American Academy of Arts and Sci- sity at Beaunne, France. Honorably colleges. The first of these lectureships ences, the National Academy of Sci- discharged from the service in July was at Simmons College in 1903. Next ences and a fellow of the American 1919, he returned to Boston to resume came Harvard for two years, 1912 to Association for the Advancement of duties at M.I.T 1913. Among his students at Harvard Science. He held honorary member- This renewed association with was Louis P. Hammett, who, inspired ship in the Chemical Society of Ruma- M.I.T. was to be enjoyed for twenty- by Dr. Norris, became the founder of nia and in the Royal Institution of one years, until his death on August 3, physical organic chemistry in America. Great Britain. He was elected 1940. He remarked of his position as In 1913 he lectured on organic chem- vice-president of the American Acad- Professor of Organic Chemistry, that it istry at Clark University in Worcester, emy of Arts and Sciences in 1936. He was the kind of job he had wanted all Massachusetts. He had three periods of was Chairman of the Faculty of M.I.T. his life. Graduate students came from extended association with Bowdoin 1937-1939. Dr. Norris was very proud far and wide to work with him on College, at Brunswick, Maine. This of the award of the Medal of the Insti- researches leading to advanced was the college of Hawthorne, tute of , conferred on him in degrees. Longfellow and President Franklin May, 1937. In accepting the award he Dr. Norris’ service to chemistry Pierce. In January, 1925, and again in wrote to Dr. M. L. Crossley of the broadened with his association with 1929 and 1931 Dr. Norris was named Institute of Chemists. M.I.T. He was an early chairman of the visiting professor at Bowdoin. The col- “I appreciate very much the high Northeastern Section (1904). All of his lege conferred on him her honorary honor and will be much pleased to life he remained very loyal to his home Sc.D. in 1925. accept the Medal. 1 was gratified to section. In 1924 he became chairman A very important part of the life of learn that the award was made for of the Section on Chemistry and Professor and Mrs. Norris was the sev- both teaching and research. So far as 1 Chemical Technology of the National eral summers they passed at North know, the Medal, awarded by your Research Council in Washington, D.C. Bridgton on Long Lake in western Institute, is the only one in which He was granted a leave of absence Maine. There they built a house in emphasis is placed on a man’s influ- from M.I.T for this work. However, he 1906 after plans drawn by Professor ence, as a teacher, on young men elect- was in Boston two days each week and Harry W. Gardner of the Department ing to enter the profession of the thus able to keep in contact with his of Architecture at M.I.T. They named continued on page 8

The Nucleus November 2003 7 James Flack Norris Continued from page 7 Green New Nucleus . 1 feel that a man can do a great deal in this world in influencing Chemistry Editor Sought those who are undertaking a profes- Wanted: Innovative Green As of July 1, 2004, the position of Edi- sional life.” Chemistry Technologies tor of The Nucleus will become vacant. The troubled situation in Europe Therefore, applications are invited for in 1939, fomented by Hitler, argued Deserving National the position of Nucleus Editor. against a walking tour in Germany, or Recognition Duties include soliciting and Austria or Switzerland. Instead, Pro- Nominations for the 2004 Presidential receiving manuscripts, arranging the fessor and Mrs. Norris toured Hawaii, Green Chemistry Challenge Awards layout of each issue, interacting with California and Northwestern United are due December 31, 2003. the Associate Editors, Contributing States in June of that year. Editors, officers of the Section and The next summer, June 1940, the For more information: Chairs of Award Committees to obtain development of a cataract in his right www.epa.gov/greenchemistry and ◆ information about upcoming meetings, eye necessitated surgery which was e-mail: [email protected] awards, Section news, special events, successful. However, his troubles were such as National Chemistry Week not over. On July 1, 1940, phlebitis set events, and in the case of a National in. On July 18th he was back in the bright and full of sunshine as if to cap- ACS Meeting or NERM meeting Phillips House of the Massachusetts ture some of the “Good Cheer” of the occurring in our Section, producing General Hospital for blood transfu- North Bridgton home and of the special issues featuring these events. sions. In spite of all the resources of encouragement Dr. Norris had given The applicant must have a good the hospital, his condition worsened his students and colleagues and friends writing style, have an eye for details, steadily. He died on August 3, 1940, over many years. and have facilities for word processing. half way through his seventieth year. The original article was accompa- The applicant must also have the ability Funeral services were held at Mt. nied by eight pages of photographs to obtain the cooperation of others, and Auburn Cemetery, on August fifth, in and a listing of 41 students who be able to comply with a strict publica- Cambridge, Massachusetts, where his received doctoral or master”s degrees ◆ tion schedule. The position carries a grave is in the Norris lot. The day was for work under his guidance. modest remuneration. The editor reports to the Board of Publications, a committee of the North- eastern Section of the American Chem- ical Society (NESACS), and is expected to attend monthly meetings of the Board of Publications as well as the monthly meetings of the NESACS Board of Directors whenever possible. The current editor will be happy to work with the next editor for an issue or two to ensure a smooth transition. Our current graphics service is in Harvard Square. The production process requires up to three trips each month to its office over the course of a two-week period to ensure an error- free publication. Details of the current production process will be made available to appli- cants. Inquiries and/or applications should be sent to the Chair of the Board of Publications, Marietta Schwartz, Department of Chemistry, University of Massachusetts Boston, 100 Morrissey Boulevard, Boston, MA 02125-3393; [email protected] ◆ 8 The Nucleus November 2003 Celebrating National Councilor Chemistry Week Reports 12th Annual Northeast Regional Undergraduate Day Council Meeting of September Saturday, November 1, 2003 10, 2003, New York, NY Reports have been received from 11 of Hosted by the Department of 11:30 Workshop and Seminar the 12 Councilors/Alternates present at Chemistry, Boston University, (choose one) the meeting. and Chemia Professor Alex Golger, Boston Few items required votes by the Council, principally the approval of a Sponsored by the Northeastern Section University: Demonstrations in Chemistry to Fascinate Kids name change of the Coastal Empire of the American Chemical Society Section (Georgia) to Coastal Georgia Professor Scott Schaus, Boston Section, and approval of a petition to University: Choosing a Gradu- 9:00 Registration (Metcalf Science charter the Hungarian International ate School Center, 590 Commonwealth Chemical Sciences Chapter. Both were Avenue, Boston) 12:00 Résumé Review and Graduate approved. In addition, the registration School/Industry Fair fee for the National ACS Meetings in 9:30 Welcoming Remarks 2004 of $ 285 was approved. Dr. Frank Wagner, Strem Chemi- Professor John Snyder, Associate In other actions, Thomas Gilbert cals: Preparing Your Résumé Chair, Chemistry Department, was reelected to the Nominations and Boston University Graduate School and Industry Elections Committee for a second 3- Professor Morton Hoffman, Fair (12:00–1:30 p.m.) year term, and Dorothy Phillips was reelected to a second 3-year term to the Immediate Past-Chair, Northeast- 12:30 Lunch ern Section Committee on Committees. Penny Lancaster, President, 1:30 Technical Talk and Seminar The following reported on their Chemia (ACS Student Affiliates (choose one) Committee activities: Mary Burgess: Economics and Public Affairs (CEPA), Chapter at B.U.) Professor Sean Elliott, Boston SEED. Michaeline Chen: Admissions, University: Moving Electrons 9:45 Keynote Address: Professor International Activities. Catherine through Proteins Thomas Pochapsky, Brandeis Costello: Internat’l. Activities. Morton University: Metalloproteins Dr. Aaron Beeler, Boston Univer- Z. Hoffman: Soc. Comm. on Educa- and Metalloenzymes. sity, CMLD: Parallel Synthesis tion, Subcommittee on Scientific Free- and Chemical Library Develop- dom and Human Rights of the 10:30 Coffee break ment (includes a tour of the B.U. Internat’l Activities Committee, two Center for Chemical Methodol- subcommittees of the Division of 10:45 Research Talk and Seminar ogy and Library Development) Chemical Education. Doris Lewis: (choose one) Comm. On Chemistry and Public 2:15 Student Affiliates Workshop Professor Sarah E. O’Connor, Affairs. Arlene W. Light: CEPA. Tru- Massachusetts Institute of Tech- Professor Anthony Fernandez, man Light: CEPA. Dorothy Phillips: nology: The Biosynthesis of Nat- Merrimack College: Resuscitat- Committee on Committees. Amy Tap- ural Products ing a Shallow–Breathing Student per: Local Section Activities. Barbara Dr. Scot Pounds, Perkin-Elmer: Affiliates Chapter Wood: Meetings and Exhibitions. Shortening the Pipeline: Bringing Another item of interest: On the 3:00 Adjournment Drugs to Market When Time Is possible merger of the American Insti- Money tute of Chemical Engineers (AIChE) with the ACS: Members who have comments are urged to contact one of There will be a $5 registration fee to cover partially the cost of lunch, which the ACS Directors. will be provided, and workshop materials. Catherine Costello was recognized If you would like more information, or if your school or company would like to for 15 years of service on the Council. send a representative to the Graduate School and Industry Fair, please contact ◆ Kevin Burgoyne at 617–353–2503; fax: 617–353–6466; e-mail: [email protected]). ◆

The Nucleus November 2003 9 ACS SHORT COURSE Designed to improve the skills and marketability of practicing B.S., M.S., and Ph.D. chemists. The NESACS Committee on Continuing Education is pleased to sponsor this newly updated National ACS Two-Day Short Course, at a registration fee less than half of that charged at National ACS Meetings. Statistical Analysis of Laboratory Data

This Short Course is designed for scientists, engineers, technicians, laboratory managers, R&D managers, manufacturing and production managers and others who need to understand traditional and modern methods of data analysis. This course assumes no previous knowledge of statistics and is aimed at both beginning and experienced workers. Participants should bring a hand-held calculator to the course.

DATES and TIME: Thursday, Nov. 20, 2003; 8:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m. and Friday, Nov. 21, 2003; 8:30 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. PLACE: 450 Dodge Hall, Northeastern University, 360 Huntington Ave., Boston, MA

PROGRAM AGENDA: Describing Variability with the Standard Deviation One-Way Analysis of Variance (ANOVA) Characteristics of Measurement Uncertainty Detecting and Rejecting Outliers Uncertainties of Parameter Estimates Sensitivity, Selectivity, and Limit of Detection Pooling Estimates of Variability Nonparametric Statistical Methods Confidence Intervals on the Population Mean Least Squares for Model Fitting Confidence Intervals on the Population Standard Diagnostic Tests for Judging the Adequacy of a Deviation Model Introduction to Statistical Inference Evaluating Measurement Processes with Control An Overview of t-Tests Charts Specification Testing Detecting Instability of a Measurement Process The F-Test Methods of Transfer and Validation – Youden Understanding Statistical Hypothesis Tests Plots, Ruggedness Testing

INSTRUCTORS: Stanley N. Deming, Professor Emeritus of Analytical Chemistry at the University of Houston and the President of Statistical Designs. Stephen L. Morgan, Professor of Analytical Chemistry at the University of South Carolina. Drs. Morgan and Deming have combined to teach more than 400 highly-rated short courses in experimental design, optimization, statistical methods of data treatment, and analytical chemical methods development.

PRE-REGISTRATION REQUIRED – Registration Fees: ACS Members if received before Nov. 4…..…… $500.00; after Nov. 4 ……$575.00 Non-ACS Members if received before Nov. 4 ..…$600.00; after Nov. 4 ……$675.00 There will be a limited number of scholarships for unemployed ACS Members on a space-available basis. Parking Fee: about $14.00/day University cafeterias will be available for lunches. For further information contact: Prof. Alfred Viola at (617) 373 2809 ______Registration form for Short Course: Statistical Analysis of Laboratory Data. Nov. 20 – 21, 2003 Name: ______Business Affiliation: ______Mailing ______Telephone: ______Address ______E-mail ______Mail with remittance to: Prof. Alfred Viola, Chair (Please make checks payable to NESACS. NESACS Committee on Cont. Ed. Sorry, we cannot accept credit cards or Department of Chemistry purchase orders.) Northeastern University Boston, MA 02115

10 The Nucleus November 2003 repellent, lingering only long enough to deposit their pollen and move on. Book Review Photochemistry makes an appear- Thieves, Deceivers and Killers: Tales of Chemistry In Nature ance in the behavior of the dragon fish, William Agosta; Princeton University Press, 2001; a deep-water predator that uses biolu- 231 pp, ISBN 0-7382-0128-6; $18.95 (hardcover) minescence to locate its prey. Unlike nearly all other deep-water fish whose Reviewed by Dennis J. Sardella organisms for purposes as diverse as bioluminescence is blue, the dragon Department of Chemistry, seed dispersal, pollination, feeding, fish generates red light (making it Boston College camouflage and hunting. Some com- invisible to its prey, whose optic nerves are sensitive to the residual blue light The award-winning science writer pounds act alone, sending a single that predominates at great depths). K.C. Cole, in her 1985 book of essays “one-word” signal, while others oper- Intriguingly, the red light of the dragon entitled Sympathetic Vibrations: ate in concert, like words modifying fish is generated by a red chlorophyll- Reflections on Physics as a Way of one another to form a phrase. like bacterial pigment ingested through Life, wrote of electromagnetic radia- For instance, the second chapter the food chain. Excitation of the red tion: describes the stratagems by which some plants induce ants to disperse pigment is then transferred to the “The pupil is a tiny porthole in a sea their seeds by attaching to them a dragon fish’s blue pigments, and the of radiation. In a universe alight small packet (called an elaiosome) resulting blue signal is processed nor- with images, we are mostly in the containing oleic acid and linoleic acid. mally by the fish’s brain, eliminating dark … I know that these signals The oleic acid, a decomposition prod- the need for a second red-light process- are there, in the room with me, uct of dead ants, functions as a recog- ing pathway. because if I flip on the radio or tele- nition signal, inducing ants to pick up Later chapters focus on the behav- vision I will suddenly be able to see the seed and carry it, as they would ior of flies, mosquitoes, and parasitic or hear them – in the same way that carry a dead ant out of the nest. How- wasps, and the book culminates with a visions suddenly “appear” before ever, the linoleic acid modifies this description of the intricate network of me the minute I open my eyes. If I behavior, because it acts as a feeding interactions linking white oaks, white- had still other kinds of detectors … signal, inducing the ant instead to carry tailed deer, gypsy moths, white-footed I could pick up still other kinds of the seed to the nest. Seeds are thus mice and deer ticks, the balance among signals. Yet we walk through this transported considerable distances which controls the incidence of Lyme dense web of radiant information from their plants, and placed under- disease. without being in the least aware of ground, where they are protected from Overall, I found Thieves, its existence.” birds, and in an environment con- Deceivers and Killers to be fascinating With some slight modifications, ducive to germination. reading – a bit slow-moving at the out- such as the substitution of “receptor” Chapter three (“Getting Polli- set, when Agosta has to provide some for “pupil” and “chemical signals” for nated”) surveys some of the ingenious basic background material necessary “radiation”, Cole’s passage might well devices plants use to regulate the for the relatively scientific uninformed serve as an introduction to Thieves, behavior of insects needed to pollinate general reader, but rather boring for a Deceivers and Killers, which is a pop- them, a particularly intricate example scientist (who might want to skim ular introduction to the topic of chemi- being that of the cardboard palm, over, or possibly even skip, the first cal ecology, the study of the various which contains both pollen cones chapter), but picking up and moving at ways in which organisms use chemical (male) and seed cones (female). Wee- a brisk and enjoyable pace through the signals as means of communication, vils carry out transportation of pollen balance of the book. attack and defense. The past several from pollen to seed cones. As the It transported me in spirit back to decades have seen the intensive devel- pollen ripens, starch and lipid are the days of my youth, to my immersion opment of chemical ecology, some- metabolized, generating heat, which in the television programs devoted to thing that would have been virtually volatilizes 1,3-octadiene and linalool. exploring the behavior of the world of impossible without the availability of The odors of the two compounds living organisms. However, unlike the analytical methods capable of detect- attract weevils, which nest in the then-current descriptive science, which ing, separating and analyzing the pollen cone, mate and lay their eggs. had to largely content itself with the minuscule amounts of compound pro- The weevil larvae feed on the cone, what of behavior, Agosta can draw on duced by insects and microorganisms. mature, and migrate to nearby seed the results of several decades of Thieves, Deceivers and Killers cones in search of nesting sites, carry- research in chemical ecology to eluci- describes a wide range of examples by ing pollen with them. However, the date the absorbing details of many of which many remarkably simple com- adults are prevented from nesting in the hows – the story of the ways in pounds are used by plants and animals the seed cones by the presence of β- which relatively simple, volatile or sol- to influence the behavior of other methylaminoalanine, a neurotoxin and continued on page 12

The Nucleus November 2003 11 Book Review Continued from page 11 Section News uble molecules provide a network of ChemLuminary Awards: communications between organisms, At the New York ACS Meeting, Sep- received The Committee on Minority leading to the formation of symbiotic tember 7-11, 2003 the Northeastern Affairs Award for an Outstanding relationships, and even in some cases Section was honored on the Tuesday Scholars Program. raising the almost philosophical ques- night award event, receiving three tion of whether two physically distinct ChemLuminary Awards: For the Out- Student Affiliate Chapters entities are in fact different organisms. standing Local Section Younger Honored: or should be considered a single organ- Chemists Committee Event for its The Student Affiliate Chapters at ism. exchange program with the Jung- Bridgewater State College, Northeast- Agosta has a clean and fluid writ- chemikerforum of the German Chemi- ern University, Suffolk University, and ing style and I found myself reading cal Society. Also the National Tufts University have received Hon- through the book at almost the same Chemistry Week Award for a Standing orary Mention Awards for their pro- rate I would read a novel, and with the Event for the General Public Using the grams during 2002-2003. same sense of disappointment at com- Yearly Theme for the lecture-demon- These awards will be presented on ing to the end. For the reader who stration and programs at the Boston March 28, 2004 at the National ACS does want to go further, Agosta has Museum of Science. Also the Section Meeting in Anaheim, CA. ◆ obligingly provided an appendix with suggestions for further reading, most at in a kind of grayscale that is often not a nice addition, as well.) Second (and the level of Scientific American articles very illuminating, and that often left this obviously betrays my professional or other popular books. me feeling rather remote from the real- prejudices), there is not one chemical I do have a couple of quibbles ity being described. I would have formula in the entire book, which I about Thieves, Deceivers and Killers, much preferred to see photos or pho- found odd considering its subject mat- neither touching the substance of the tomicrographs, and find it hard to ter and subtitle. Notwithstanding book, but rather its appearance. First, imagine that suitable ones could not Stephen Hawking’s comment in A for some reason there are no photos in have been located, or what motivated Brief History of Time of having been the book, the only illustrations (the the decision to eschew them in favor of warned that each equation in a popular book’s term) being artists’ renderings the drawings. (Color would have been book reduces its readership by 50%, I do not think it would have seriously Your Partner For Analytical Support Services undermined the book’s appeal to have included a few simple structural for- Rapid Results • Quality • Accuracy • Competitive Pricing mulas, if only to illustrate how remark- ably simple many of the chemical signals are (acetaldehyde, carbon diox- Robertson Microlit ide, dodecane, and 2-methyl-2-butanol, Laboratories to cite a few examples). That said, however, I thoroughly enjoyed reading • Elemental CHN Analysis Thieves, Deceivers and Killers, and • Atomic Emission can recommend it as a fascinating • Atomic Absorption Spectroscopy introduction to the subject of chemical • FTIR Spectroscopy ecology for the nonspecialist. Like the • UV / VIS Spectrophotometry person Cole referred to in Sympathetic • Mass Spectrometry Vibrations, whose sensory apparatus is • Chromatography unable to pick up the majority of elec- • Bioavailability tromagnetic signals around them, I • Polarimetry cannot smell or see the vast majority of molecular signals that suffuse the • Calorimetry • Titrimetry milieu in which I move (doubtless • including many that affect my own Wet Chemistry likes, dislikes, and behavior). • KF Aquametry Nonetheless, Agosta’s book has at the P. O. Box 927 • 29 Samson Avenue • Madison, NJ 07940 very least increased my awareness of T el: (973) 966-6668 Fax: (973) 966-0136 that lack, my appreciation for the intri- www.robertson-microlit.com email: [email protected] cacy of the chemical signals that underlie everything that we do. ◆

12 The Nucleus November 2003 three undergraduate and three graduate students gave oral presentations. Board of The Phyllis A. Brauner Under- Member graduate Book Award was given to Directors Christopher Crafts (Merrimack Col- News NOTE: Board Meetings are held on lege). Cathy Brauner and her daughter 2004 National ACS Awards the monthly meeting day at 4:30 p.m. Hyacinth, her niece Julie and her son Section members are invited to attend. Remy attended the award presentation. Elias J. Corey, Harvard, Priestly 27 applications from 11 colleges Medal. Notes of the Meeting of May 8, and universities in the section were Gregory C. Fu, M.I.T., Elias J Corey 2003. received for the 2003 Norris/Richards A ward for Outstanding Contributions Officers’ Reports: Undergraduate Summer Research in Organic Synthesis by a Young Inves- Chair: The Long-Range Planning Scholarships. Four scholarships were tigator, sponsored by the Pfizer Meeting will be held in June. awarded to: Rozalina Grubina (Har- Endowment Fund. Beginning in 2004 the Section will vard), Pasha Mirazimi (Boston Col- Charles M. Lieber, Harvard, ACS have 14 Councilors and 14 Alternates, lege), Kristin Felice (Stonehill Award in the Chemistry of Materials, an increase of 2 each. Therefore the College), and Travis Pribusauskas sponsored by DuPont. (Bridgewater State College). 2003-05 term will have 5 each, the David R. Liu, Harvard, Arthur C. additional positions to be filled from High School Subcommittee: Steve Lantos reported that over 100 Cope Young Scholar Award, sponsored the runners-up in the 2002 election. by the Arthur C. Cope Fund. The 2002-2004 term will remain the students participated in the annual Avery Ashdown Examination Contest Stephen J. Lippard, Harvard, Alfred same at 4 each. Bader Award in Bioinorganic or Bioor- It was MOVED to elect 5 Coun- under the oversight of Prof. Jennifer Canefield (Simmons). The U.S. ganic Chemistry, sponsored by Alfred cilors and 5 Alternate Councilors from Bader. the slate of the 2003 election, in order National Chemistry Olympiad was of the vote count. PASSED. held April 26, with 23 students from Also, The James Flack Norris Award the Section participating.. Last year the Chair-Elect: There are 120 sign-ups in Physical Organic Chemistry, spon- Section’s participants had three of the for tonight’s dinner. The September sored by the Northeastern Section will top 20 scores in this highly competitive meeting is to be held September 18 to be Awarded to C. Dale Poulter, Univer- examination. avoid conflict with the National ACS sity of Utah. meeting. Speaker and location to be Local Arrangements: One new mem- These awards, except for the Cope announced later. ber will attend tonight’s dinner. Award, will be presented at the 227th Treasurer: The April 2003 Treasurer’s Other Committees: ACS National Meeting in Anaheim, CA report was presented and ACCEPTED. Business Liaison: D. Yesair reported on March 30, 2004. Standing Committees: that a new solicitation letter is being ALSO: developed. Bd. Of Publications: A. Heyn reported Morton Z. Hoffman has been chosen that the NUCLEUS is still on budget. Continuing Education: A. Viola as the 24th Sweeny Lecturer at Lehman reported that the May 19&20 Short Membership: Letters were sent to 118 College of the City University of New Course has received 14 paid registra- new members and 10 responses were York tions and 10 or 11 inquiries from received to the new members’ ques- unemployed members for scholarships. Congratulations! ◆ tionnaire. Younger Chemists: L. Wolf stated that Nominations: M. Hoffman presented the 5th NSCRC event attracted about the following slate from which two delivered by Prof. Lieber, who unfortu- 80 participants. The best undergraduate Board Members are to be elected to nately became ill the day before. In his oral presentation was by Ivan V. serve on the Nominating Committee in place, Post-Doctoral Deli Wang gave Korendovych (Tufts) and the best pres- 2004: E.J. Billo, T.B. Frigo, M.J. the address on Nanowires as Building entation by a graduate student was by Hearn, D.I. Lewis. The Board elected Blocks for Nanoscale Science and Karen M. Miller, MIT. The best under- M. Hearn and D. Lewis by paper bal- Technology. graduate poster presentations were by lot. NERM: H. Mayne reported that the Andrew B. Dykstra (Boston Univer- next NERM is to be June 15-18, 2003 Chemistry Education: R. Tanner via sity) and John Beierle (Boston Col- written report stated that the 5th Annual in Saratoga Springs, NY. lege). Six of the 12 participants in this Medicinal Chemistry: P. Nagafuji Northeast Student Chemistry Research year’s exchange with the GDCh Jung- Conference (NSCRC) was held at reported that the next meeting will be chemikerforum presented a slide show held during the week of October 6 at Boston University on April 26. There of the trip. were 44 poster presentations, 12 of the MIT Faculty Club, with J. Tally The keynote address was to be which were by undergraduates. Also, Continued on page 14

The Nucleus November 2003 13 (16%) and the internet (9%) are among the top resources they use as sources Communication for science. When seeking specific By Dana Lipp* information, however, the internet The challenge to science communica- in our ability to communicate? Per- leads at 44% followed by books (24%) tors is to overcome the reader’s reluc- haps, ironically, the proliferation of all and magazines (8%). tance to bother to read what we have these fast, efficient methods discour- Surveys conducted during the last written. ages us from spending the time needed 20 years have indicated 90% of US There is no shortage of communi- to construct a well-phrased message or adults are very, or moderately inter- cation methods, but have we improved to listen to others. ested in new scientific discoveries, As scientists, we must effectively inventions and technologies. Over this communicate our results not only to same period, a consistent 70% felt that Board of Directors coworkers and those in the field, but the benefits of scientific research out- Continued from page 13 also to those outside the discipline. weigh harmful results. However, very Recognizing the importance of few feel even moderately well from Microbia to speak on the discov- informed and most said they didn’t ery of Celebrex. this, Curt Suplee, Director of the Office of Legislative and Public know a lot about science and technol- Speakers’ Bureau: S. Buta reported Affairs at the National Science Foun- ogy, or the nature of scientific inquiry. that 40 inquiry letters are to be mailed dation presented a seminar at the fall As might be expected, the understand- out shortly. ACS National Meeting in NYC enti- ing of scientific inquiry steadily Legislative Affairs: D. Lewis reported tled How To Talk To the Public About improves with education, from a low that a new legislative alert to support What You Do. This presentation drew of 10% with no high school degree, to NSF Funding via the ACS website is heavily upon Science and Engineering a high of 55% with a graduate degree. underway. Members are encouraged to Indicators, 2002 published by the NSF. The public is clearly interested in participate. Since one in four stories in the science and technology, but doesn’t Summerthing: W. Gleekman by writ- media deals with some aspect of sci- know much about it. ten report stated that Summerthings I, ence, everyone’s life is in some way About 40% of the public has con- II and III have been held, resulting in a affected by science. Respondents in a sistently expressed confidence in the small surplus. scientific community, only slightly less ◆ NSF study claimed that television From the minutes of M. Singer (44%), magazines (16%), newspapers than the confidence expressed in medi- cine. We must communicate our enthu- siasm and interest about our work to the media and general public, but the challenge is to present the work we know so well, effectively, i.e. to explain why it is important. Craft your message, keep it brief, and edit ruthlessly. Communication involves 1) information, 2) building interest or provide context, and 3) educating the audience. In a short arti- cle, it may be difficult to do all three, so focus on the first two items and add what education you can without turn- ing off the reader. Take the time needed to focus and simplify the message. Memorize your talk, don’t ‘wing it’. Prepare. Despite reliance on the written and spoken word, most communication is visual. Employ imagery to your advantage; even the most carefully written message can be made much more effective by the use of carefully chosen visuals. Good images can be a Continued on page 15

14 The Nucleus November 2003 Communication Continued from page 14 A Physics Question powerful way to highlight the quality and importance of your work to those Answered. outside your discipline as well. Digital cameras are commonplace The following is an actual question assume that once a soul gets to Hell, it these days; learn how to use yours given on a University of Washington will not leave. Therefore, no souls are well. chemistry mid-term. The answer by leaving. A well-integrated story with one student was so “profound” that the As for how many souls are enter- punchy images or a tight, contextual professor shared it with colleagues, via ing Hell, Let’s look at the different reli- interview with the press or the public the Internet, which is, of course, why gions that exist in the world today. can result in even broader media cov- we now have the pleasure of enjoying Most of these religions state that if you erage than you might have initially it as well. are not a member of their religion, you expected. It’s up to you: the public is Bonus Question: Is Hell exothermic will go to Hell. ready to listen. (gives off heat) or endothermic Since there is more than one of these religions and since people do not Further Reading: (absorbs heat)? Most of the students wrote proofs belong to more than one religion, we Science And Engineering Indicators, of their beliefs using Boyle’s Law (gas can project that all souls go to Hell. 2002. cools off when it expands and heats With birth and death rates as they www.nsf.gov/sbe/srs/seind02/start.htm up when it is compressed) or some are, we can expect the number of souls variant. in Hell to increase exponentially. ACS Office of Communications Now, we look at the rate of change Newsletter, E-lements of Communica- One student, however, wrote the fol- of the volume in Hell because Boyle’s tion: send an email to ocnewsletter@ lowing: Law states that in order for the temper- acs.org to subscribe. “First, we need to know how the ature and pressure in Hell to stay the Anatomy of a Press Release and Media mass of Hell is changing in time. So same, the volume of Hell has to Training Highlights from the 2003 we need to know the rate that souls are expand proportionately as souls are LSPR Public Relations Training Work- moving into Hell and the rate they are added. shops: go to www.chemistry.org and leaving. I think that we can safely Continued on page 16 search for “2003 LSPR”. Click the link desired. The ACS Office of Communications will help you to publicize research of public interest to the news media; past releases have appeared internationally in print and via radio and television - reaching a potential audience of almost 55 million with over 500 news stories. Frankel, Felice, Envisioning Science, MIT Press, 2002. * Dana Lipp, BS/MS is a science pho- tographer and consultant with over 20 years experience solving problems using analytical chemistry in the specialty chemical industry, plastics, additives, electronics, foods and instru- mentation. He is a visiting lecturer at Bridgewater State College. ◆

The Nucleus November 2003 15 From Past Meetings Sukant NESACS Monthly Meeting at Merrimack College, September 18, 2003 Tripathy Annual Memorial Symposium In honor of the late Prof. Sukant Tripa- thy, renowned researcher and former Director of the Center for Advanced Materials at the UMass Lowell.

(left-right) Jean Fuller-Stanley (Wellesley College), NESACS Patrick McDonald, presenting Technical papers to be published in a Chair Elect; Patrick McDonald (Waters Corp.), speaker; Dorothy his address on Evolution of special issue of J. Macromolec. Sci. Philips (Waters Corp.), NESACS Councilor; Cynthia McGowen HPLC: An Insider’s view (Merrimack College), meeting host December 5, 2003 UMass Lowell ChemLuminary Awards at ACS National Meeting, 600 Suffolk St., Lowell, MA 01854 New York City, September 9, 2003 Wannalancit Mills MIL Conference Room Speakers: John Reynolds, U. of Florida Gordon Wallace, U. of Wollon- gong. Australia Paula Hammond, M.I.T. Ken Wynne, Virginia Common- wealth University Woohong Kim, Naval Res. Lab. Gary Wnek, Virg. Comm. Univ. Yang Yang, U. of Cal., Los Angeles Proudly displaying the beautiful transparent ChemLuminary Awards, Russell Gaudiana, Konarka Tech- (left-right) Amy Tapper (Genzyme), 2004 NESACS Chair Elect; nologies, USA Morton Hoffman (Boston University), 2002 NESACS Chair; Doris Lewis (Suffolk University), 2000 NESACS Chair Elect Accommodations: Double Tree Hotel, Warren St., So which is it? Lowell, MA Physics Question If we accept the postulate given to Call 978-452-1200 by 11/17/2003 Continued from page 15 me by Teresa during my Freshman Registration: This gives two possibilities: year, “....that it will be a cold day in Hell before I sleep with you”, Free; Please register by 11/21 to: 1) If Hell is expanding at a slower rate [email protected] than the rate at which souls enter and Hell, then the temperature and pres- take into account the fact that I Lunch and refreshments provided. sure in Hell will increase until all still have not succeeded in having an See details on fliers and in the Hell breaks loose. affair with her, then #2 above cannot December NUCLEUS. 2) If Hell is expanding at a rate faster be true, and thus I am sure that Hell is Updates: than the increase of souls in Hell, exothermic and will not freeze over.” www.uml.edu/umlmainpage.umlnews then the temperature and pressure THIS STUDENT RECEIVED THE or contact Michele Vercellin at above will drop until Hell freezes over. ONLY “A” ◆ e-mail address or 978-934-3695. ◆

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The Nucleus November 2003 19 avr,M 01451 Harvard, MA 19 Mill Road

Nov 6 Prof. Joe Bruno (Wesleyan Univ.) Prof. Peter Wipf (Univ. of Pittsburgh) “Synthetic and Thermodynamic Studies with “New Applications of Zirconocenes” Metal-Ketene Complexes” UNH, Parsons Iddles Auditorium Room L103, UNH, Parsons Iddles Auditorium Room L103, 11:10 am 11:10 am Prof. Andrea Liu (UCLA) Nov 19 “Effective Temperatures in Driven Systems near Prof. Robert Linhardt (Rensselaer Polytechnic Jamming” Institute) Harvard Univ, Pfizer Lecture Hall, Mallinckrodt “Heparin Glycobiology” Lab, 12 Oxford St., Cambridge, 4:00 pm The Boston Glycobiology Discussion Group, MIT Faculty Club, Nov 6 50 Memorial Drive (top floor), 6:00 pm Prof. Todd Emrick (UMass Amherst) Reservations are required; contact Kathryn “Synthetic Functional Polymers and Newburg Nanoparticles for Self-Assembly and 781-642-0025 [email protected] Capsule Formations” Univ. Mass. Lowell, Olney 218, 3:30 pm Prof. Alan Goldman (Rutgers Univ.) Harvard/MIT Inorganic Chem Nov 10 “Alkane Dehydrogenation Catalyzed by Prof. William A. Eaton (NIH) Pincer-Ligated Iridium Complexes” “Protein Folding Dynamics” MIT, Room 6-120, 4:00 pm Brandeis Univ., Edison Lecks Building, Prof. Herschel A. Rabitz (Princeton Univ.) Gerstenzang 122, 3:45 pm

AMERICAN CHEMICAL Joint Harvard-BU-MIT Theoretical Chemistry U.S. POSTAGE PAID OPOI ORG. NONPROFIT NORTHEASTERN Prof. Michael Huang (New Jersey Institute of “Shaped Laser Pulses as Adaptive Reagents” Technology) MIT, Rm 36-112, 3:00 pm SOCIETY SECTION “Flow Induced Phase Transitions in Block Copolymer/Homopolymer Blends” Nov 20 Tufts Univ., Chem. & Biol. Engineering, Prof. Jesse Lee (Jack) Beauchamp (Calif. Room 136, Science and Technology Center, Institute of Technology) 4 Colby Street, Medford, 11:50 am “Exploding Nanodroplets: Applications to Studies of Ion Formation and Solvation, Nov 11 Chemistry of Molecular Clusters, and Frontier Prof. Huw M. L. Davies (SUNY at Buffalo) Studies in Proteomics” “Applications of Catalytic Asymmetric C-H Harvard Univ, Pfizer Lecture Hall, Mallinckrodt Calendar Activation in Organic Synthesis” Lab, 12 Oxford St., Cambridge, 4:00 pm Boston College, Merkert 130, 4:00 pm Prof. Nitash P. Balsara (Univ. of California, Nov 12 Berkeley) Check the NESACS Homepage Polymer Seminar Series Prof. Marcey Waters (Univ. of North Carolina) Univ. Mass. Lowell, Olney 218, 3:30 pm for late additions: “Structure and Function of Designed Peptides” http://www.NESACS.org Boston College, Merkert 130, 4:00 pm Nov 24 Note also the Chemistry Department web pages Prof. Kara Bren (Univ. of Rochester) Nov 13 “NMR Studies of Heme Protein Dynamics” for travel directions and updates. For example: Prof. Robert J. Hamer (Univ. of Wisconsin) http://web.mit.edu/chemistry/ Brandeis Univ., Edison Lecks Building, Harvard/MIT Physical Chemistry Seminar Gerstenzang 122, 3:45 pm http://www-chem.harvard.edu/events/ Harvard Univ., Pfizer Lecture Hall, Mallinckrodt http://www.umassd.edu Lab, 5:00 pm Dr. Amiram Bar-Ilan (Sud Chemie-Prototech, http://www.dartmouth.edu/~chem/ Inc., Air Purification) Prof. Robert Langer (MIT) “Catalyst Challenges in Diesel Exhaust Nov 3 Sukant Tripathy Memorial Lecture Treatment” Prof. Amir Hoveyda (Boston College) “ Polymers for Drug Delivery and Tissue Tufts Univ., Chem. & Biol. Engineering, “New Catalytic Asymmetric Methods for Engineering” Room 136, Science and Technology Center, Enantioselective Synthesis and their Univ. Mass. Lowell, Olney 218, 3:30 pm 4 Colby Street, Medford, 11:50 am Applications to Natural Product Synthesis” Brandeis Univ., Edison Lecks Building, Nov 17 Prof. Amir H. Hoveyda (Boston College) Nov 25 Gerstenzang 122, 3:45 pm Prof. Kenneth Eisenthal (Columbia Univ.) “Practical Catalytic Enantioselective Synthesis” Prof. Andreas S. Bommarius (Georgia Institute “Molecules at Liquid Surfaces” Abbott Bioresearch Center (100 Research Drive, Tufts Univ., Pearson Chemistry Building, of Technology) Worcester) “Novel Tools to Understand Biocatalyst 62 Talbot Ave., Medford, 9:30 am; Contact Heather Davis, 508-688-8085 Room P-106, 4:30 pm Stability” ([email protected]) Tufts Univ., Chem. & Biol. Engineering, Room Prof. Jennifer Swift (Georgetown Univ.) 136, Science and Technology Center, Notices for the Nucleus “A Chemical Approach to Crystal Deposition 4 Colby Street, Medford, 11:50 am Disease” Calendar should be sent to: Dr. Donald O. Rickter, Brandeis Univ., Edison Lecks Building, Nov 4 88 Hemlock St., Arlington, MA 02474-2157 Gerstenzang 122, 3:45 pm Prof. Dewey McCafferty (Univ. of e-mail: [email protected] Pennsylvania) Prof. Per Ahlberg, Woodward Visiting Scholar “Connections Between Peptidoglycan (Goteborg Univ., Sweden) Biosynthesis and Cell Wall Protein Attachment “Unravelment of the Basis of Catalytic in Gram Positive Bacteria” Stereoselective Deprotonations” Boston College, Merkert 130, 4:00 pm Harvard Univ, Pfizer Lecture Hall, Mallinckrodt Lab, 12 Oxford St., Cambridge, 4:15 – 5:30 pm Nov 5 Have you looked at the NEW Prof. Peter Wipf (Univ. of Pittsburgh) Nov 18 “Challenges & Opportunities in Natural Product Dr. Cherie R. Kagan (IBM T. J. Watson Research NESACS website? Synthesis” Center) UNH, Parsons Iddles Auditorium Room L101, Physical Chemistry “Molecular Materials and WWW.NESACS.org 4:10 pm Devices” MIT, Room 4-237, 4:00 pm