Society News “GREEN MOUNTAIN CLAYS”— CMS ANNUAL MEETING 2005 The setting: 44.48° N, 73.21° W; showed great “baby” pictures of green, rolling hills grading into our illustrious editor, Derek Bain. high mountains befitting the Von The Jackson Lecture Award for a Trapp family. Burlington, Vermont, mid-career scientist was given to host city of the 42nd annual CMS Samuel J. Traina, UC Merced, meeting is a vibrant, casual who spoke of his most exciting www.clays.org community with quaint Victorian recent XAS discoveries of heavy- New England architecture, a great metal sorption on geoparticles. college town center, and weather to suit all—“if you don’t like it, Other highlights included a pre- The Clay Minerals Society just wait a few minutes!” meeting workshop on the theme “Characterization of solid–water Greeted by meeting organizer FROM THE PRESIDENT interface reactions of metals and Pete Ryan, the events were actinides on clays and clay As incoming president of The Clay Minerals officially opened by Dewey minerals,” led by Andreas Bauer. Moore’s Presidential Welcome Society for 2005–2006, I would like to extend This timely workshop explored followed by the Pioneer Lecture, the theme of this issue of warm greetings to the readers of Elements. The “Nanoparticles: size matters” by Elements on metals in the envi- Jillian Banfield, UC Berkeley. For Clay Minerals Society (CMS) is an interdiscipli- ronment and the role of surfaces. half a century our Society has nary community of scientists involved in clay sci- honored those who exhibit novel This year’s meeting brought to- ence and technology. Our fields of inquiry are research in the traditional study gether scientists from 14 coun- of clay nanoscience, so it is a due tries. A third of the presentations diverse and include mineralogy, geology, chem- honor for the Pioneer Award to were from students, and those istry, nanotechnology, materials science, engineering, and soil science. be given to Jill Banfield, perhaps presentations were more impres- the youngest Pioneer awardee in sive than ever. We are proud to One of my goals is to better understand how we can help meet the needs our history. She has seized the be a diverse, enthusiastic group, of our current and future members. To do this I would like to engage our advanced analytical techniques with members committed to available today and energetically sharing their wealth of knowl- members, and the readers of Elements, in projecting what the future applied them to size-dependent edge in a collegial society that dimension of clay science will look like. There are clearly increased phenomena, addressing problems leads the world in nanoscience. in phase stability, aggregation Clay science is revitalized by the opportunities for clay scientists to contribute in areas of naturally occur- behavior, crystal growth, micro- energy of youth and new tech- ring nanomaterials, environmental applications of clay science, and bio- structure development, and ion nologies, and we invite all absorption. As a pioneer she has scientists and engineers interested geochemistry. We seek to better understand how The Clay Minerals explored uncharted territory on in nanoscale processes to join us. Society can respond to these opportunities. To this end, I would like to microbial interactions with nano- Our greatest appreciation goes to solicit your input for clay-related thematic issues in Elements. You can particles, paving the way for a Pete Ryan and Michele Hluchy new generation of scientists. for organizing this year’s meeting. find instructions for submitting proposals for thematic issues on the Next year we will convene on a Prof. Maria Franca Brigatti, small quaint island off the coast Elements website http://www.elementsmagazine.org/, under “forms.” In Università di Modena e Reggio of France. This meeting promises Emilia (Modena, Italy), gave the addition, you can contact Kathryn Nagy ([email protected]) or myself a European flair with great food, honorary Brindley Lecture ([email protected]) with your suggestions. wine, and friends. entitled “Structure and crystal chemistry of the micas.” Her Lynda Williams The enterprise of clay science, as with many other disciplines, is now detailed and graphic modeling of Arizona State University truly global. Over 40 percent of the membership of The Clay Minerals the crystal chemistry of dioctahe- Society resides outside of North America. At our recent annual meeting dral micas demonstrated a strong structural control of the octahe- CMS Wants Your held this year in Burlington, Vermont, Andreas Bauer from Karlsruhe, dral chemistry on the whole layer Photos! Germany organized the pre-meeting workshop, which included other structure. Dr. Brigatti is a skilled and prolific contributor to the Do you have any previously contributors from Europe; this reflects a growing trend of increasing crystal chemical advancements in unpublished field photos, participation by our international members. Finally, an exciting oppor- clay science. microscopic images, schematic diagrams, illustrations, or even tunity can be found in next year’s annual meeting. For the first time, the The Bailey Award, the highest dynamic molecular models you honor bestowed by the Society, Groupe Français des Argiles (French Clay Group) and The Clay Minerals would like to post on the CMS was given to M. Jeff Wilson, website? If so, please send a Society will meet together on June 3–7, 2006, at Oléron Island, France. Macaulay Institute, Aberdeen, jpg image (or equivalent file) Scotland, for scientific eminence This meeting, chaired by Sabine Petit, will provide a wonderful venue to with a brief description via e- in clay mineralogy and publica- mail to rferrell@ lsu.edu. Your explore the expanding frontiers of clay science. We are very pleased to tion of outstanding original contribution will be acknowl- partner with the Groupe Français des Argiles and hope to see you in scientific research. His lecture was edged appropriately. Thanks historical and outlined the evo- Oléron! for your assistance. lution of scientific research at the MacCauley Institute and the Cliff Johnston Ray Ferrell serendipity of exciting collabora- President of The Clay Minerals Society tions and discovery. He also E LEMENTS 228 SEPTEMBER 2005 Society News LE GROUPE FRANÇAIS DES ARGILES WELCOMES THE CMS IN 2006 On behalf of the French Clay Group and The Clay Minerals Society, we invite you to partic- ipate in Bridging Clays, the combined 4th colloquium of the Groupe Français des Argiles and 43rd annual meeting of the CMS, to be held in the Poitou- Charentes region of France. The workshop Polymer-Clay Nanocomposites, chaired by K. Carrado of Argonne National Laboratory and F. Bergaya of the CNRS, will be held at the University of Poitiers. Poitiers is the capital of the Department of Vienne, located in west-central France. Situated on high ground at the confluence of the Clain and Boivre rivers, the town oversees the Gate of Poitou, a 71-km-wide gap between the area south of the Loire River and the Massif Central connecting northern and southern France. Poitiers is a small medieval city of boulevards that follow the line of ancient fortifications. Poitiers contains great artistic wealth in the form of many old monuments such as the romanesque Notre- Dame-la-Grande church, with a remarkable 12th-century façade; the Saint-Pierre cathedral (12th–16th century), built largely in the local Gothic style known as Angevin; the rectangular 4th-century Baptistère Saint-Jean, which now houses an archae- ological museum; and the 12th-century former ducal palace th now part of the 19 -century Clays; Colloidal Behavior of activities, local specialties and We encourage you to attend, Hôtel de Ville, which houses Clay Minerals; Equilibrium delicious seafood. The meeting share knowledge and ideas, the Musée des Beaux-Arts. and Disequilibrium in Low- will be held at the “Village benefit from this opportunity for A field trip will “bridge” Poitiers to Temperature Processes; Environ- Vacances Vielle Perrotine” CAES several communities to meet, and Oléron Island via Montmorillon mental Mineralogy and Toxic CNRS center, St. Pierre d’Oléron. enjoy early summer on the shores and Nontron, famous sites for Metals; Soils, Weathering and This center, dedicated to CNRS of the European side of the clay scientists. Alterations; and Clay–Organic family holidays, is ideally suited Atlantic Ocean. Interactions. Located off the for work (the conference rooms The Bridging Clays The second part of Bridging French Atlantic coast in the Bay are located in the center of the Local Organizing Committee Clays, comprising scientific of Biscay, south of La Rochelle village) and relaxation (direct sessions dedicated to clay research and north of the Gironde Estuary, access to the sea on foot). and development, will be held Oléron is the second largest French on Oléron Island, 200 km from island (after Corsica). Linked to Poitiers. Thematic sessions include the mainland by a bridge, the Clays in Petroleum Systems; island and its beaches are a ADDRESS CHANGE Polymer–Clay Nanocomposites; popular destination offering many Iron Oxidation–Reduction in opportunities: sailing, beach The address for CMS Dues & Subscriptions has changed to: SAVE TIME – GO ONLINE The Clay Minerals Society www.clays.org/membership/Membership.html Dues and Subscriptions 3635 Concorde Pkwy, Ste 500 Use this site to search the online membership directory, Chantilly VA 20151-1125 • USA update your membership information, renew your member- Tel: +1 (703) 652-9960 • Fax: +1 (703) 652-9951 ship, subscribe to Clays and Clay Minerals, make contributions, E-mail: [email protected] and access Clays and Clay Minerals via GeoScienceWorld. Internet: www.clays.org E LEMENTS 229 SEPTEMBER 2005.