The Chemical Bulletin

Chicago Section The Chemical Bulletin http://chicagoacs.org SEPTEMBER • 2009 CHICAGO SECTION AMERICAN CHEMICAL SOCIETY Jointly with the Chemistry Department of Loyola University and the Chicago Chemists' Club Education Night Public Affairs Award Presentation Friday, September 25, 2009

Loyola University should be received in the Section Office PUBLIC AFFAIRS 6525 North Sheridan Road via phone (847-391-9091), email (chi- Chemistry Department/Flanner Hall [email protected]) or website AWARD LECTURE 8:15 P.M. Chicago, IL (http://chicagoacs.org) by noon on (773) 274-3000 Wednesday, September 23. PLEASE HONOR YOUR RESERVATIONS. The DIRECTIONS TO THE MEETING Section must pay for all dinner orders. Flanner Hall is located at 1068 West No-shows will be billed. Sheridan Road on the Lake Shore campus of Loyola University, near the inter- AWARDS PRESENTATION 8:00 P.M. section of West Sheridan Road and Winners of the High School Scholarship Winthrop. (See page 2 for directions Examination and parking).

REGISTRATION 4:30 to 6:30 P.M. Flanner Hall lobby Notice to Illinois SOCIAL HOUR 4:30 to 5:30 P.M. Teachers Flanner Hall lobby The Chicago Section ACS is an ISBE provider for professional POSTER SESSION 4:30 to 5:30 P.M. development units for Illinois teach- Loyola chemistry student research ers. Teachers who register for this Flanner Hall lobby month's meeting will have the opportunity to earn up to 4 CPDU's. JOB CLUB 5:00 - 6:00 P.M.

DINNER 6:30 P.M. Simpson Living Center Dr. Mary L. Good An excellent dinner will be in the near- PLEASE VOTE in the Section's elec- Dean of Donaghey College of Engi- by Simpson Living Center and is served trion when you recieve your ballot in neering & Information Technology, cafeteria style. The cafeteria provides a the mail University of Arkansas at Little Rock large variety of items on an all-you-can- eat basis. A portion of the cafeteria will Title: “Science and Innovation in the be reserved for ACS attendees. Dinner Global Economy——Why It Matters admission tickets are obtained at the and Who Needs to be Concerned” ACS registration table in Flanner Hall for a flat charge of $12.00 per person. The mission of the Chicago Section Abstract: In the global economy, the No discounted dinners for students, of the ACS is to encourage the retirees or unemployed. advancement of chemical sciences and their practitioners. Dinner reservations are required and (continued on page 2) 9/09 2 (continued from page1) distinguished career. She has also Road and bear to the left. Parking is race is on for technological advantage. received more than twenty honorary available at the parking deck next to The United States is used to leading doctoral degrees. She was honored by Flanner Hall for $6.00. Enter the these activities with the past competi- appointment to the National Academy garage at the entrance marked “Facul- tion with Western Europe and Japan. of Engineering. ty, Students, Guests, Visitors.” When These competitors still exist but they In 2001, Dr. Good led a group of sci- leaving the garage, first purchase an are now joined by formidable new play- entists, entrepreneurs and educators in exit parking ticket at the pay station ers from China and India. This competi- founding ASTRA, “The Alliance for Sci- machine located near the garage stairs tion has now caused an ever-increasing ence & Technology Research in Ameri- and elevators. deficit in US trade in advanced techni- ca;” an organization which is dedicated cal goods and a steep decline in the to promoting a better understanding of ACS Petroleum the physical and mathematical sciences US trade balance in advanced technol- Research Fund Grant ogy trade with China. and engineering, especially to the con- These are not indications of a robust gress and executive branches of our Programs government. future for the United States. This situa- The Petroleum Research Fund (PRF) tion should be a “wake up call” to all of is an endowed fund, managed by the us from our education leaders to our Directions to Loyola: ACS that supports fundamental research government leaders and folks in the directly related to petroleum or alternate private sector. energy at nonprofit institutions (generally The questions to be asked are: how By public transportation: colleges and universities) in the United do we incentivise innovation; how do Take the CTA Red Line train to the Loy- States and other countries. Research we develop a work force focused on ola stop. areas supported include chemistry, the innovation and technological advance- earth sciences, chemical and petroleum ment; and, how do we get US leader- From Downtown Chicago: engineering, and related fields such as ship to realize where we are and begin Take the Outer Drive north to its end. polymers and materials science. For a to devise policy to address the issues? Follow Sheridan Road north until it list of grant programs and eligibility, turns west at 6500 N. Follow directions please visit: http://portal.acs.org/portal/ below to parking. Biography: Dr. Good received her Ph.D. acs/corg/content?_nfpb=true&_ in inorganic chemistry from the Universi- pagelabel=pp_superarticle&node_ From the West: ty of Arkansas in 1955 and then went on id=1251&use_sec=false&sec_url_ From O’Hare take I-294 North to the to have a very distinguished education var=region1&__uuid=87b1c49f-c18c- Touhy Avenue East exit (this is the very and research career at the University of 48fb-8c8d-4e135c172622 first exit after toll plaza). Proceed east New Orleans, becoming Boyd Professor on Touhy to Talcott, the first stoplight. of Chemistry. She left UNO to join Allied IN THIS ISSUE Signal as VP and Director of Research Turn right onto Talcott and go to Devon in 1980. She became Sr.-VP for Tech- (first stoplight after passing high 1 - Dinner Meeting nology in 1988. She remained with school). Turn left on Devon and contin- 3 - ChemShorts for Kids: Crystal AlliedSignal until she retired in 1993 and ue on to Caldwell. Turn right on Rings and Ferns became undersecretary for technology Caldwell (this road becomes Petersen) in the Dept of Commerce of the Clinton 3 - 2009 Basolo Medal Award to Western. Administration. 4 - 2009 Scholarship Exam Dr. Good is presently, the founding Winners Turn north on Western to Devon. Turn Dean and Donaghey University Profes- east on Devon and continue east to 5 - September Historical Events sor at the University of Arkansas at Lit- Kenmore Avenue. Turn left on Kenmore in Chemistry tle Rock College of Engineering & Infor- to the Loyola Campus. 6 - Local Students Qualify for mation Technology. Over the years, she has held many high level positions in USNCO Study Camp See parking information. academia, industry, and government. 7 - Dr. Good, Public Affairs She has served as board chair and Awardee From North and Edens Expressway president of the American Chemical (I-94): 7 - ACS Diversity Statement Society, president of the American 7 - Ad Rate Schedule Association for the Advancement of Sci- Take I-94 (Edens Expressway) to the 8 - Job Club ence, Board Member of the National Peterson Avenue East Exit. Take Peter- Science Foundation, 1980-91; Board 8 - Green Chemistry son east to Western Avenue. chair, 1988-91. 8 - Industry Members’ Website She has received many awards from 8 - WCC Article Authors Needed Turn left on Western (north) to Devon the American Chemical Society, for her and go east. Continue to Kenmore Ave- 8 - Young Women in Science accomplishments including the ACS nue. Turn left on Kenmore to the Loyola Booklet Priestley Medal, the Parsons Award, the Campus. 9 - PA Award History & Past Barnes Award for Leadership, and the Garvin – Olin Medal. In addition, she Recipients See parking information below. has received the NSF’s highest honor, 10 - The Un-Comfort Zone with the Vannevar Bush Award, the AAAS Robert Wilson SEE ALSO DETAILED MAPS ON OUR Philip Abelson Award for outstanding WEBSITE 10 - Unemployed? achievements and public service, and 10 - Ad Index the Heinz Award for technical achieve- PARKING: Enter the campus at the 11 - NCW 2009 ments to name just a few of the many intersection of Kenmore and Sheridan recognitions she has received in a very 11 - Business Skills eLearning 11 - Calendar 9/09 3 add more water and repeat the project over and over. All you do for clean-up is September, 2009 Vol. 96, No. 7. rinse out the pan. Published by the Chicago Section of There are many variables to this exper- The American Chemical Society, Editorial Staff: Cherlyn Bradley, Edi- The Elementary Education Commit- iment that you can examine, such as: tor; Fran Kravitz, Associate Editor; tee of the Chicago Section ACS pres- Fadwa Al-Taher and Richard Trep- ents this column. They hope that it will * type of salt - iodized, uniodized, tow, Proofreaders; Frank Jarzem- reach young children and help increase sea salt, etc. bowski, Publications Business Man- their science literacy. Please cut it out * concentration of salt - results are ager. Address: 1400 Renaissance and pass it on to your children, grand- greatly affected by how much/little Dr., Park Ridge, Illinois 60068; children, or elementary school teachers. salt you add 847/391-9091. Subscription rates: It is hoped that teachers will incorporate * rate of evaporation - affects how $15 per year. Frequency: monthly- some of the projects in this column into crystals form September through June. their lesson plans. * rate of cooling - also affects crystal growth Crystal Rings and Ferns 2009 Basolo Medal Notes: The best results are obtained Award To Peter Stang This is a quick and easy crystal grow- when using a very small amount of salt. ing project. All you need is a bit of table We’re told that a fern shape can some- Northwestern University will honor salt, water, a steel pan, and a stove to times occur from boiling salted pasta. If Professor Peter J. Stang, produce interesting salt crystal rings, you use uniodized salt, you may get salt University of Utah, with the Basolo ferns, and other shapes. Specifically, crystal cubes rather than rings. More Medal for recognition of work in inor- get these materials together along with complex shapes occur with sea salt and ganic chemistry. Named for Northwest- an adult partner: aquarium salt. Other salts will work for ern University chemistry professor this project too (e.g., borax, epsom Fred Basolo, the award is given by • steel or iron pot - don’t use a non- salts). Sugar is not a good choice Northwestern University and cospon- stick pan since the non-stick coat- because it will burn and possibly ruin sored by the ACS Chicago Section. ing could overheat and releas- your cookware. Professor Stang will deliver the award fumes lecture at the Northwestern University • table salt (sodium chloride) DR. KATHLEEN CARRADO, Argonne Technological Institute in Evanston, IL • water National Laboratory on October 16. • food coloring (optional) Following the lecture at Northwestern, • kitchen stove References: D r. A n n e M a r i e the Medal presentation will be given at Helmenstine at http://chemistry.about. the Chicago Section’s meeting. Meeting Now just sprinkle a little salt in the pot com/od/crystalrecipes/a/saltcrystal information and additional details will and a few drops of water. You can add ring.htm?nl=1 be found at the section’s website, www. a drop of food coloring if you want col- chicagoacs.org. Reservations may be ored crystals. Have an adult partner All past “ChemShorts for Kids”: http:// made on-line or by calling the Section’s heat the water until you see the liquid membership.acs.org/C/Chicago/ office at (847) 391-9091. starting to evaporate off the pan. Turn ChmShort/kidindex.html off the heat. Watch the crystals form as Contact the Chair the water evaporates to form artful crystal shapes like rings and ferns. You can Do you have any questions, suggestions, ideas, gripes, or complaints relat- ing to the Chicago Section? Do you want to volunteer, help out, or lend a hand with Section programs or activities? Then contact your Chair. Simply log onto the Section’s Web Page at http://chicagoacs.org, click on the "Contact Us" tab, look for “Contact the Chair” a little way down the page, click on it, and send me an e-mail. If I can answer your query, I will respond per- sonally. If I can’t, I will forward your e-mail to someone who can, or try to provide you with a contact -- all in a timely manner. The Section belongs to you and the other 4,600 ACS members who reside in the Chicago area (north- east Illinois and northwest Indiana). Only you can make it work for you by being involved. But you can also make it fail by not being involved. I look forward to hearing from you.

AMBER ARZADON CHICAGO SECTION CHAIR 9/09 4

2009 FIFTY- FIFTH ANNUAL SCHOLARSHIP EXAMINATION IN CHEMISTRY The High School Education Committee of the Chicago Section ACS held its 55th annual High School Scholarship Examination on May 23, 2009 at North Central College.

PRIZE WINNER SCHOOL & TEACHER FIRST Eric Spieglan Beverly George $5,000 AWARD Naperville North HS SECOND Benjamim Mildenhall Marlen Rubinow $3,000 AWARD Oak Park River Forest HS THIRD Jordan Shapiro Ann Levinson $2,500 AWARD Chicagoland Jewish HS FOURTH Rose Sloan Cheryl Rulis $1,500 AWARD Oak Park River Forest HS FIFTH Jose Regalbuto Jim Glynn $1,250 AWARD Glenbrook South HS MARIE LISHKA * Rose Sloan Cheryl Rulis $2000 AWARD Oak Park River Forest HS MARSHALL S. SMOLER** Laurie Merrell Maggie Kendall $200 AWARD Walter Payton HS BERNARD E. SCHAAR*** Sean McLaughlin Don Molenda $500 CHICAGO Brother Rice HS CHEMISTS’ CLUB AWARD *To the highest scoring female in the examination. This award honors Marie Lishka, who was an active Chicago Section member for many years. Additional funding for the Lishka award was provided in memory of Stan Drigot. **To the highest-scoring Chicago Public High School Student. This award was established in 1972 in memory of Marshall S. Smoler, by his sister, Rachel. Mr. Smoler was for many years a chemistry teacher in the Chicago public schools. *** To the highest scoring Chicago High School student. Mr. Bernard Schaar’s widow established this award in memory of Mr. Bernard Schaar, long active in Chicago Section, American Chemical Society and the Chicago Chemists’ Club. (continued on page 5)

Curious to know how some chemists got to where they are in their industry career? Visit http://boilthisdown. org/?page_id=899 to read short interviews with chemists in the various industry sectors and their suggestions on how you can get there too. 9/09 5 (continued from page 4)

HONORABLE MENTIONS LISTED IN ALPHABETICAL ORDER (These students were the next highest performers)

Josh DeMent Naperville Central HS John Elzinga Latin School of Chicago Wei-Pang Jan Niles West HS Alexander Krule Chicagoland Jewish HS Alwina Liu Fremd HS Nolan Maloney Naperville North HS James Mansfield Naperville North HS Andy Nian Wheaton Warrenvill South HS Alana Weinstein Highland Park HS

Awards will be given to students at the ACS Education Night meeting on September 25, 2009 at Loyola University. Award winners and their teachers will be contacted by the Chicago ACS office. All teachers and students are invited and encouraged to attend the ACS Education Night meeting. Teachers who attend the ACS Education Night meeting will receive CPDU credits. Teachers do not have to be ACS members to attend

A special thank you to Dr. Paul Brandt, Chemistry Professor at North Central College, for his hard work and willingness to author the exam.

FINANCIAL CONTRIBUTORS TO THE SCHOLARSHIP EXAM ARE: ACS Chicago Section, Stan Drigot, Dr. Henry M. Walton, Chicago Chemists’ Club, and Rachel Smoler.

September Historical Sepember 22, 1791 Events In Chemistry Michael Faraday, who discovered elec- tromagnetic induction, specific inductive September 1, 1909 capacity, rotation of plane-polarized Rohm & Hass Co., was founded 1909. light in a magnetic field and liquefied chlorine and other gases, was born. September 2, 1853 Wilhelm Ostwald, who was awarded the September 24, 1905 Nobel Prize in Chemistry in recognition Severo Ochoa, who with Arthur Korn- of his work on catalysis and for his berg shared the Nobel Prize in Physiol- investigations into the fundamental prin- ogy or Medicine for their discovery of ciples governing chemical equilibria and the mechanisms in the biological syn- rates of reaction, was born. He was a thesis of ribonucleic acid and deoxyri- researcher on affinity, mass action, the- bonucleic acid, was born. He also did ories of solutions, and conductivity (Ost- research with enzymatic processes in wald’s Law of Dilution & Conductivity). biological oxidation and synthesis and the transfer of energy. September 7, 1854 Paul Vielle, inventor of smokeless pow- September 29, 1915 der, Poudre B, from gelatinized nitrocel- Gencorp incorporated as General Rub- lulose mixed with alcohol and ether, ber Mfg. was born. September 30, 1802 September 11, 1894 Antoine J. Balard, who discovered bro- Carl S. Marvel, who did research in mine in seawater in 1826, hypochlorous organic chemistry and polymer synthe- acid, and chlorine monoxide, was born. sis, was born. LEOPOLD MAY September 13, 1937 Professor Emeritus of Chemistry Polaroid Corporation was incorporated. The Catholic University of America Washington, DC September 14, 1698 Charles F. de Cisternay DuFay, who Additional historical events can be discovered + and ‑ electricity and repul- found at Dr. May’s website, http://fac sion between like charges, was born. ulty.cua.edu/may/Chemistrycalendar. He also did research in phosphores- htm or the This Week in Chemical His- cence and double refraction. tory at the ACS website: http://www. acs.org/whatischemistry. September 17, 1901 Peter Cooper Hewitt obtained patent for mercury vapor lamp. 9/09 6 LOCAL STUDENTS QUALIFY FOR THE 2009 USNCO Posi-Trap™ Positive Flow STUDY CAMP The U.S. National Chemistry Olympiad (USNCO) and the International Chemis- Vacuum Inlet Traps try Olympiad are multi-tiered competi- tions that bring together the world’s most talented high school students to test their knowledge and skills in chem- We’ve got the perfect istry. Nations around the world conduct examinations to nominate the most trap for your high-performing students for the Inter- national Chemistry Olympiad. system! The Chicago area local exam was held on Friday, March 13, 2009. The Chicago area national exam took place Friday, April 24, 2009 at Loyola University. We are proud to announce our 2009 Chicago section finalists who were selected to compete for a spot on the International Chemistry Olympiad team. The students participated in a Study Camp June 3-18, 2009, at the U.S. Air Force Academy. The top 4 performing students were selected for the Interna- tional Chemistry Olympiad competition July 18-29, in Cambridge, England.

Robin Jia (Class of 2010) Oak Park and River Forest High School Teacher: Marlene Rubinow ❏ Positive Flow ❏ Easy Changing Krystle Leung (Class of 2011) ❏ No “Blow-By” ❏ Easy Cleaning Naperville Central High School ❏ Variety of Elements Teacher: Steve Wiesbrook ❏ Positive Trapping John Rosenberg (Class of 2009)* It’s bye-bye to “blow-by” with Posi-Trap™. Unlike others, our Barrington High School Teacher: Karen Enright filter is sealed at both the inlet and the exhaust so that all *Qualified as an alternate for the competition. the particles must flow through the element. We’ve got the perfect trap for your system, and should your application LINDA BENNETT CHAIR, change, simply choose from our wide variety of filter HIGH SCHOOL EDUCATION COMMIT- TEE elements and you’re back on-line! Protect your vacuum For further information about the pump and system with Posi-Trap™ from MV Products. USNCO exam and the ACS Scholarship exam, visit the committee’s website, http://chicagoacseducation.wetpaint. com/page/ACS+Exams For more information on these and other fine vacuum products contact

Members are urged to pay the $15 A Division of Mass-Vac, Inc. Section dues when you get your annual ACS membership dues state- 247 Rangeway Road • PO Box 359 • North Billerica, MA 01862-0359 ment. The Section needs this reve- TEL 978-667-2393 FAX 978-671-0014 E-MAIL [email protected] WEB www.massvac.com nue to help support its activities.

www.massvac.com 9/09 7 Dr. Mary L. Good, our Chicago Chemists' Club Statement on Diversity Public Affairs Awardee Club History and Lecturer The Chicago Chemists' Club was char- Approved by the ACS Board tered December 30, 1919 as a social Several months ago, we chose Dr. organization to promote good fellowship of Directors - 2007 Mary Good to receive our Public Affairs and camaraderie among Chicago-area The American Chemical Society Award for 2009. I can’t think of anyone chemists. believes that to remain the premier who is better prepared to speak on the chemical organization that promotes concerns of science and public policy at Social Events innovation and advances the chemical this time. In addition to having a great The social calendar of the Chemists' sciences requires the empowerment of Club includes ten dinner meetings per career in science education, in academ- a diverse and inclusive community of year where spouses and/or guests are ic and industrial research, as a leader in highly skilled chemical professionals industrial R&D, in government policy welcome to attend. Meetings are usually on the second Wednesday of the month regardless of race, gender, age, reli- and administration, over the past ten gion, ethnicity, nationality, sexual orien- years she has broken new ground as a at various restaurants in the Chicago area featuring a variety of cuisines. We present tation, gender expression, gender iden- pioneer in bringing science to govern- tity, presence of disabilities, educational ment. timely, stimulating speakers in fields such as science, politics, medicine, etc., and background, and other factors. Chemi- During the past ten years, she has folk-singers, artisans and world travelers. cal scientists rely on the American returned to what is obviously her first In the spring the Club has a dinner-theater Chemical Society to promote inclusion love and dedication, science education; party. Each year, jointly with the ACS Chi- and diversity in the discipline. as the Donaghey University Professor cago Section's Education Meeting, we of Science Education and Dean of the present the Bernard Schaar Memorial To enable scientific progress and main- College of Information and Engineering Award to the first-place winner of the ACS tain its global competitive edge, the Technology, at the University of Arkan- high-school chemistry examination. The American Chemical Society remains sas at Little Rock. As a result of her Club is also a co-sponsor of the ACS Chi- committed to inspiring and educating leadership, they have recently broken cago Section's annual Holiday Party in the present and future generations of ground for the construction of a new six December. diverse, innovative, and creative chemi- story building to house the College. cal professionals. By promoting inclu- In addition to her work in leading the Membership Benefits sion and equity to all, the American college, she has been very active in Membership dues are $25 per year. As a Chemical Society will succeed in foster- non-profit organization, the Club returns a science and public policy issues. Using ing a diverse community of profession- her wealth of knowledge and experience portion of these dues to its members in the form of dinner price reductions. als in the chemical sciences who will be acquired from her work in academe, the catalyst for transforming the world industry and government, she has led a through their full participation and inte- The Alliance for Joining the Club group called ASTRA, ( gration into the chemical professions. Science & Technology Research in Membership is open to chemists, chem America), (http://www.aboutastra.org/ ical engineers and allied scientists. about/index.asp) whose mission “------is to focus on the need to maintain adequate funding of key science Support Our Advertisers agencies.” Help The Chemical Bulletin stay healthy. Of course, I had the pleasure and privi- lege of working with Dr. Good when she was leading the S&T program at UOP. I The Chemical Bulletin Advertising Rate Schedule also worked with her when she was The official newsletter of the Chicago Section American Chemical Society, The American Chemical Society President. Chemical Bulletin, publishes news and information of interest to the Section’s 4,600 My most recent association relative to members, who are professional chemists and others in related professions in indus- ACS was the 40th Anniversary of Proj- try, academia and government throughout greater Chicago. ect SEED. Mary (along with the recently deceased Barbara Ullyot) led this cele- SIZE DIMENSIONS RATE bration and asked me to be a part of the Full Page 7.5” wide x 10” depth $700 leadership team. Of course, I was thrilled and honored to be a part of this 2/3 Page 4.917” wide x 10” depth $530 great and wonderful effort which raised (2 columns) $1,001,500 for the project with $750,000 going into the SEED Endowment Fund. 1/2 Page 3.75” wide x 10” depth $500 I am pleased and we are all honored to be able to welcome Mary on this 1/3 Page 2.333” wide x 10” depth $360 occasion, and to recognize her for the (1 column) many outstanding efforts she has put forth on behalf of science and public 1/2 Column 2.333” wide x 5” depth $190 service. Business Card 3.5” wide x 2” depth $95 JIM SHOFFNER CO-CHAIR, PUBLIC AFFAIRS We accept ads sent in jpg, tif, or quark formats. For more information, contact COMMITTEE [email protected] or call 847-391-9091. 9/09 8 New Website Designed for The Chicago Section's ACS Industry Members JOB CLUB e-mail address The next meeting of the Chicago To focus on the specific information is Section ACS Job Club will be needs of chemists and chemical engi- held on Friday, September 25 at neers working in industry, the American [email protected] 5:00 p.m. at Loyola University. Chemical Society has launched www. The meeting will include a review boilthisdown.org WCC Article Authors and discussion of some of the tools The site is designed to help you do the that a chemist can use to conduct following: Needed a job search. The Chicago Section’s Women Chem- The Job Club provides a continu- (1) Quickly grasp the Top News of the ists Committee has a project to highlight ing opportunity for unemployed day affecting chemists and chemical women, both current and historical, and members of the Section to meet engineers employed by industry (as topics of interest to women. The project with one another, share their expe- reported by the world’s top scientific is called the “WCC Column” in the riences and develop a network that and business publications). Chemical Bulletin and the project has may help in identifying employment been very successful. opportunities. Bring plenty of (2) Provide ACS industry members We invite anyone, women or men, to resumes and business cards to employed by small and mid-size com- join us in this endeavor of writing an distribute to your colleagues. Be panies with information targeting their article for the column. The article needs prepared to talk about the kind of specific needs. to be about 500 words long and will job you are seeking. also be put on the Chicago Section Several participants have (3) Highlight Featured Articles published website. The author also needs to received outsource help with in scientific and business publications design a poster for the corresponding resume preparation and marketing that help you become a better manager monthly meeting. Our office manager, strategies to present their best and scientist, and Gail Wilkening, will help with the poster, attributes to prospective employ- which can be primarily a large font ver- ers. The group has critiqued some (4) Identify and access the ACS pro- sion of what you wrote, if you wish. We individual resumes and made sug- grams, products, and services of great- welcome new authors and those who gestions for improvements in a est value to the Society’s industry have already discovered what a plea- positive way! members. sure this project is. Whether you inter- The Job Club is also for employ- view a current chemist or research an ers seeking chemists. Employers The site has many rich features that historical chemist on the web, please need to be prepared to describe allow you to comment on articles, rate join us in this stimulating activity. the positions to be filled and them, and share or post them to other requirements for these positions. sites. The interactivity of the site was CO-CHAIRS MARGY LEVENBERG Should you wish to attend the purposefully designed to allow for a AND SUSAN SHIH Section’s dinner meeting follow- continuous process of improvement ing the Job Club, the cost is $12 through readers’ comments and ratings Young Women in Science and you can continue your net- of the various articles, features and working activities. Please call the ACS programs. Booklet Section office for reservations and Times have changed. Once, your chal- New for 2009, Science/AAAS in collab- indicate that you are eligible for a lenge was getting access to informa- oration with the L’Oréal Corporate Foun- discount. tion. Today, you are drowning in infor- dation has put together a Young Women Also, the Chicago Section’s web- mation. We will separate the wheat from in Science booklet. Following last year’s site has a link to the Job Club’s the chaff so you can quickly access the very successful Women in Science yahoo job forum group. If you can’t information you need to be successful. booklet, the new booklet has more excit- attend the Job Club, you can still We hope you will be frank with us about ing and inspirational stories. These new find out about job openings and where we are doing things right, and profiles, from interviews with young other information. where we can improve. women at the start of their science Please visit the site, bookmark it and careers, tell their stories of passion and check back daily for new postings. We persistence and what drives and excites look forward to your participation on them about their work in the sciences. www.boilthisdown.org. Young girls (and boys),as well as their educators, will find fun and inspiration in MAX SAFFELL these pages and learn a little about what Editor, Boil This Down life as a scientist is all about. m_ saffellat acs.org Go to http://sciencecareers. sciencemag.org/lorealwis Green Chemistry FREE T-SHIRTS Put your business card here Interested in green chemistry? Reach prospective clients by The Hospitality Committee raffles advertising in The Chemical Bulletin Subscribe to the Green Chemistry one T-shirt at each monthly dinner Program electronic newsletter, by send- ...... meeting. The shirt has CHICAgO For more information, call ing a blank email to [email protected]. spelled out using the periodic table. gov with the subject line the Section office (847) 391-9091 So come to a monthly meeting and or e-mail at chicagoacs@ “subscribe green_chemistry [your] First- maybe you’ll win one! Name [your] LastName” ameritech.net 9/09 9

History and Past 1986 dr. James Shoffner 1999 Mr. Bill Kurtis Recipients of the Public Senior Research Chemist, Allied Signal- Host for award winning documentaries UOP, presently Adjunct Professor of on A & E Network; For using the medi- Affairs Award Science in Columbia College Science um of television to educate schoolchil- The Public Affairs Award was estab- Institute; For pioneering work in estab- dren and enlighten the general public lished by the Public Affairs Committee lishing the Public Affairs Committee, regarding the role that science and of the Chicago Section of the American and working with state, local and technology continues to play in shaping Chemical Society in 1982. The award regional governments on science and our civilization. was established to recognize individu- public policy issues. als who were involved in science and 2001 The Hon. Harris Fawell public policy issues. During the years 1987 dr. Etcyl Blair Congressman Fawell served 7 terms in 1983–1987, the award was given annu- Consultant, Industry-Government Rela- congress, and retired in 1998. For repre- ally. Beginning in 1989, the award has tions, Retired Vice President Health and senting the researchers and scientists in been presented biannually. Environmental Sciences, Dow Inc. For his district while in Congress. He served The award is made on the basis of outstanding work in devising corporate on the Committee on Science, Subcom- outstanding activities that have compliance policies, and for managing mittee on Energy, as well as the Commit- advanced the public’s understanding of analytical methodologies to provide tee on Education and the Workforce, Sub- chemistry and the chemist’s concern for effective pollution control. committee on Employer – Employee Rela- the effects of chemistry on public affairs. tions (Chair), and Subcommittee on Work- Examples of such activities include: 1989 dr. William Beranek force Protection Oversight. He appeared Advisor to Governor of Indiana, Head of as a speaker on a symposium at the ACS 1. Publication of books, monographs Indiana environmental consulting firm. National Meeting in Chicago in 1985. He or a series of research papers; For work done in risk-benefit analysis utilized members in his district to advise and environmental improvement strate- 2. Distinguished in teaching in the area him on science and public policy issues. gies championed nationally. of chemistry in the public interest; 3. Public advocacy of an effective or 2003 Dr. Inara Brubaker 1991 dr. Leon Lederman For pioneering the development of pro- distinguished nature; Nobel Laureate in Physics, Director 4. Distinguished administration and grams and activities that established Emeritus, Fermilab, Professor of Phys- the agenda for a decade of state and organization of chemistry and pub- ics, Univ. of Chicago, Illinois Institute of lic affairs activities; and local section cooperation on a wide Technology. For speaking for science range of public policy issues; for setting 5. Significant accomplishments over a nationally and internationally, champi- long period of time, resulting in the the performance standard for the ACS oning science funding and for being a Congressional Fellowship by your sig- advancement of the area of chem- leader in science education. istry and public affairs. nificant achievements during your fellowship year of 1977; and for serving 1993 dr. Walter McCrone your community in various ways. The awardee need not be a chemist or President and Founder, McCrone Insti- a member of the ACS, but should have tute, Internationally known chemical 2005 Dr, Thomas Kucera been a resident of the EPA Region V microscopist, exposed Shroud of Turin For continuous and diligent effort in during the time period for which he/she and Vinland Map as forgeries. For world bringing chemical science to the public is being recognized for. Region V con- class work on fiber and particle identifi- through National Chemistry Week. Tom sists of the states Illinois, Indiana, Mich- cation, especially asbestos fibers, and was a major force in organizing the first igan, Minnesota, Ohio and Wisconsin. for socially relevant contributions as Chemistry Day Activity at the Museum Past recipients of the Public Affairs President of the Board of Ada S. McKin- of Science and Industry. After the suc- Award are listed below, along with their ley Community Services, one of Chica- cessful pilot program, the program achievements. go’s leading social agencies. eventually became “Chemistry Week,” with involvement by nearly all Sections 1983 dr. Carl Moore 1995 dr. Walter E. Massey of the American Chemical Society. Tom Professor of Chemistry, Head of Depart- President, Morehouse College, former led the effort within the Chicago Section ment of Chemistry, Loyola Univ.; For VP Research, Univ. of Chicago, Direc- as Chair of the Section’s Chemistry outstanding public service, as an advi- tor, Argonne Lab, VP Academic Affairs, Day/Week Committee for many years. sor to local governments in science and Univ. of California. For public service on public policy. federal, local and state boards and 2007 Lee Marek commissions, speaking and writing on For his instrumental work in starting up 1984 dr. Ananda Chakrabarty science and public policy, and for lead- and running a teachers alliance group Research Scientist, General Electric ing efforts to maintain the viability of [over 400 teachers] called ChemWest in Inc., Professor of Biochemistry, Univ. of Argonne Lab. Illinois. For obtaining the first patent for the Chicagoland area. He has helped run over 500 workshops/programs for a living organism, as a bacterium for 1997 dr. Zafra Lerman teachers, students and the general pub- use in pollution control. Head of Science Institute, Columbia lic in the past 25 years. Among his College; For outstanding contributions awards are the Presidential Award, 1985 Mr. Valdas Adamkus in the areas of human rights and sci- ACS’s James Bryant Conant Award, the Regional Administrator, Region V EPA; ence education. Since receiving this ACS Helen Free Award for Public Out- For outstanding administration of the award, she has received numerous reach, Golden Apple Award, Sigma Xi regional office, and for standing strong other awards, most recently the Jose’ and CMA’s National Catalyst Award for against attempts to weaken pollution con- Vanconcelos Award for Education, pre- Teaching. Lee has been a regular on trol regulations and politicize the office. sented at the U. of Witwatersrand, S.A, “The David Letterman Show” since Mr. Adamkus returned to his native Lithu- in November 2001. ania as president two years ago. 1990 doing science infotainment. 109/09 10 THE UN-COMFORT ZONE attention and energy. ARE YOU UNEMPLOYED? When Jeanne Louise was 92 years with Robert Wilson old, attorney François Raffray, age 47, Are you seeking a better job? Are you What’s Pushing Your Buttons? offered to pay her $500 per month (a looking to improve your career? The fortune in 1967) for the rest of her life, if place to start is with your resume. That What motivates you? That’s the ques- she would leave her house to him in her is the single tool that will get you an tion I’d like to ask in this inaugural col- will. According to the actuarial tables it interview, illustrate your professional umn on motivation. Are you motivated was a great deal. Here was an heir-less strengths, and show how you can by fame, fortune or fear. Or is it some- woman who had survived her husband, improve your importance to your thing deeper that fans the flames inside children, and grandchildren. A woman employer. of you. Perhaps you are like Jeanne who was just biding her time with noth- You can get help improving your Louise Calment whose burning desire ing to live for. That is until Raffray came resume through the Career Consul- enabled her to do something that no along and offered up the “sucker-bet” tants. These are volunteers trained by other human being has done before. A that she would soon die. It was motiva- the American Chemical Society to assist feat so spectacular that it generated tion enough for Jeanne, who was deter- its members with writing resumes, con- headlines around the globe, got her a mined to beat the lawyer. Thirty years tacting prospective employers, and pro- role in a motion picture, and landed her later, Raffray became the “sucker” when viding tips on interviews. in the Guinness Book of World Records. he passed away first at age 77. There are several Career Consultants A record that has yet to be beaten. When asked about this by the press, in the Chicago Section who are willing Jeanne Louise, however, did not ini- Calment simply said, “In life, one some- to meet with you and help improve your tially motivate herself. It was someone times make bad deals.” Having met her resume. Simply call the Section office at else who drew the line in the sand. But, goal, Jeanne passed away five months 847-391-9091 and set up an appoint- it became a line she was determined to later. But on her way to this end, she ment. Fifteen to thirty-minute sessions cross. achieved something else: at 122 years will be arranged at our monthly meet- In motivation we talk about getting out- old, she became the oldest person to ings. Should you require more time side of one’s comfort zone. It is only have ever lived. arrangements can be made with your when we are uncomfortable that we In future articles we’ll examine further consultant to continue discussions by begin to get motivated. Usually to get the ways in which motivation works. telephone, by e-mail or by additional back into our comfort zone as quickly How to motivate ourselves, our employ- face-to-face sessions. You also can as possible. ees, customers, friends, loved ones and attend the Section's Job Club where Born into the family of a middle-class children. I would like to get your feed- you can network with other people hav- store owner, Calment was firmly back on which of these areas of motiva- ing similar concerns. entrenched in her comfort zone. At age 21 tion are of most interest to you. Please We are here to help. All you need to she married a wealthy store owner and email me with your suggestions. do is pick up the telephone and bring lived a life of leisure. She pursued her -- copies of your resume to the next hobbies of tennis, the opera, and sam- Robert Evans Wilson, Jr. is a motiva- monthly meeting. pling France’s famous wines. Over the tional speaker and humorist. He works years she met Impressionist painter Van with companies that want to be more Task Force on Gogh; watched the erection of the Eiffel competitive and with people who want to Tower; and attended the funeral of Hunch- think like innovators. For more informa- Education back of Notre Dame, author, Victor Hugo. tion on Robert’s programs please visit The ACS has created a Board-Presi- Twenty years after her husband www.jumpstartyourmeeting.com. dential Task Force on Education to passed away, she had reached a stage identify a unique role for the world’s in life where she had pretty much largest scientific society in transforming achieved everything that she was going education in the United States. The task to achieve. Then along came a lawyer. force’s charter calls upon it to review The lawyer made Jeanne Louise a recommendations contained in STEM proposition. She accepted it. He thought (Science, Technology, Engineering, and he was simply making a smart business NEXT ISSUE is Mathematics) reports released in the deal. Inadvertently he gave her a goal. for the last five years, to identify specific It took her 30 years to achieve it, but October 16 actions the ACS might take to imple- achieve it she did. Basolo Medal Award ment those recommendations and to Are you willing to keep your goals alive determine areas where the Society for 30 years? At what point do you give might have a unique impact on STEM up? Thomas Edison never gave up, education. instead he said, “I have not failed. I’ve just found 10,000 ways that won’t work.” Winston Churchill during the bleakest hours of World War II kept an entire Advertising Index country motivated with this die-hard conviction:“We shall defend our Island, whatever the cost may be, we shall fight Company Page Telephone URL on the beaches... in the fields and in the streets... we shall never surrender.” Columbia Analytical Services 3 520-573-1061 www.caslab.com Many of us give up too soon because Micron Inc. 4 302-998-1184 www.micronanalytical.com we set limits on our goals. Achieving a Northup RTS 5 847-579-0049 www.toxconsultants.com goal begins with determination. Then Mass-Vac, Inc. 6 978-667-2393 www.massvac.com it’s just a matter of our giving them Pro Tech Engineering 11 847-714-9214 www.processtechnology engineering.com September 16-18: Intl-Conference on Thermochemic al Biomass Conversion Science, Sheraton Chicago Hotel & Tower. For more information, visit http://www.gastechnology. org.

September 21-25: ACS Short Courses; 2-day courses on chemical engineering for chemists, medicinal chemistry and pharmacology, organic synthesis, process analytical chemistry, mass spectral analysis, and dispersion in liquids, sus- pensions, emulsions and foams; University Center, Chica- go, IL; For details, go to http://portal.acs.org/portal/acs/ corg/content?_nfpb=true&_pagelabel=pp_article main&node_id=271&content_id=CNBP_022319&use_ sec=true&sec_url_var=region1&__uuid=e88f6da7-624d- 49bd-bdc9-59883d18c8a5

September 25: Chicago Section ACS Public Affairs Award presentation to Dr. Mary L. Good. This will also be the section’s Education Night honoring our high school scholarship awardees. See this issue.

October 16: Basolo Medal Award Lecture, Dinner, and Pre- sentation; joint Chicago Section ACS’s meeting with North- western University’s Department of Chemistry. The Basolo Medal Awardee is Peter J. Stang. NOTE: This is a revised date from what has been previously published in the Calendar.

October 24: Chemistry Day at DePaul University.

October 28-30: The 30th Annual Conference of the Associa- tion of Laboratory Managers will be held at the Georgia Tech Global Learning Center, Atlanta, GA. Registration deadline is September 21. Register online at www.labmanagers.org. Visit www.labmanagers.org for further information.

November 18: Chicago Section ACS Meeting. The speaker is Mitch Jacoby, Chemical & Engineering News corre- spondent. Business Skills eLearning December 4: Chicago Section ACS Holiday Party and Need to learn new business skills or Meeting. The speaker is Wendy Wolbach, DePaul Universi- brush up on your existing skills? ty. ACS has teamed up with Harvard Business Publishing to offer you courses that will help you hone your business skills. NCW 2009: “Chemistry – It’s Take advantage of the Harvard Busi- Elemental!” ness Courses with your ACS membership. The ACS Harvard eLearning This year’s National Chemistry Week (NCW) celebration library is composed of 42 courses will be October 18-24. The theme is “Chemistry – It’s Ele- designed to help professionals develop mental,” in recognition of the 140th anniversary of the Peri- their business skills. The courses are odic Table of the Elements. The 2009 National Chemistry fully Section 508 Accessibility compli- Week edition of Celebrating Chemistry is now available ant. The courses are also compatible online through the NCW home page*; Celebrating Chemistry across most operating systems and contains hands-on activities and articles geared for students browsers. For more information go to in grades 4-6. http://portal.acs.org/portal/acs/corg/ *http://portal.acs.org/portal/acs/corg/content?_ content?_nfpb=true&_page nfpb=true&_pageLabel=PP_TRANSITIONMAIN&node_ Label=PP_ARTICLE MAIN&node_ id=1033&use_sec=false&sec_url_var=region1&__ id=1096&content_id=WPCP_ uuid=0555fff9-08a8-40bf-bb71-3da0afd1965f 012056&use_sec=true&sec_url_ var=region1&__uuid=19863872-907e- 4e6f-aeb1-9b7c1b1895c9.