Inside Volume 77, No.2, April 2013 Articles and Features 42 Fluorescent minerals: a hobbyist's perspective (with a bit of chemistry…) Martyn P. Coles 48 Primo Levi’s periodic system Peter Hodder 52 Some Unremembered Chemists John Mercer Part II. The industrialist, the chemist and the man Other Columns 34 Comment from the President 57 Dates of Note 35 NZIC April News 59 Science in the News 47 Grants and Awards 60 Conference Calendar 56 Patent Proze Cover Front cover: Calcite from Terlingua District, Brewster County, Texas, USA, viewed under short wave ultraviolet light. See article by Coles, p. 42. 33 Chemistry in New Zealand April 2013 Comment from the President Welcome to the second issue of Chemistry in New Zea- land for 2013. I’ve recently been looking over the aims* of the NZIC (it seemed like a good thing for a President to be familiar with). Some of them are fairly straightforward – making provisions for the organisation of conferences and lec- tures, the acceptance of members and the production of NZIC President the Institute’s journal, Chemistry in New Zealand. Some of the aims are drawn with a much broader stroke, for example, aim 2 which states, “To raise the status and to advance the interests of the profession of chemistry and of those engaged therein” So what does this mean, and what can we do to accom- plish this aim? Improving the status of chemistry can only be achieved by increased visibility in the wider community. This can free to let me know how it goes (michael.edmonds@cpit. be achieved by running and supporting public events, lec- ac.nz). tures and other chemistry related activities. Of particular importance is exposing young minds to the many positive The NZIC journal, Chemistry in New Zealand, provides and exciting aspects of chemistry. Most research seems to members with chemistry news from around the country, show that many children start to lose their natural inter- as well as articles on various topics of interest. At the est in sciences between the ages of 12 to 15. If we can February Council meeting, the question was raised as provide these students with a positive and memorable ex- to whether the current format and content of the journal perience of chemistry we have a good chance of igniting is meeting the needs and interests of members. Conse- the same passion for chemistry that we have in younger quently, in collaboration with the journal’s editor, Peter generations. Hodder, we are now seeking your views about the jour- nal and its current format. If members could email me However, it does not require large events to promote ([email protected]) with feedback about what chemistry. Just being willing to take the time to explain they enjoy about the journal, as well as any changes they what you do as a chemist and why, to a member of the would consider beneficial, I will collate these comments public, can give a lasting and positive impression of and discuss them with the editor, the journal’s Editorial chemistry. Engaging with politicians will also raise the Board and Council members. profile of chemistry and the scientific community. It is a Michael Edmonds common complaint amongst scientists and educators at NZIC President how poorly politicians understand what we do, yet how many have taken the time to visit or write to their local *The aims of NZIC can be found on the Institute’s website at http://nzic.org.nz/aims.html politician? I would urge all members to be open to opportunities to share your positive experiences and excitement for chem- istry with non-chemists over the next few months. Feel 34 Chemistry in New Zealand April 2013 New Zealand Institute of Chemistry NZIC News supporting chemical sciences April News 2013 NZIC Conference RSC. ChemEd NZ was part of the Manawatu Branch: Nicholas J The 2013 NZIC conference is to be RSC Schools and Colleges package Francis Massey University, Heather held in Wellington this year and will and this has been discontinued. Jameson Massey University, Iman be hosted by Victoria University at Kavianinia Massey University. Rutherford House by the railway sta- Membership Wellington Branch: Jessie Bird Vic- tion – on the University’s downtown New Members 2012-2013 (MNZIC) toria University of Wellington, Ch- campus. The conference will start on riselle Braganza Victoria University Sunday 1 December and conclude Auckland Branch: Dr Darby G of Wellington, Pauline Calloch Cal- on Thursday 5 December. Ruther- Brooke University of Auckland, Dr laghan Innovation, Vidhya Damoda- ford House is situated near a variety Brian Hanan, Matthew Keesing, ran Victoria University of Welling- of transport hubs, accommodation Craig Lidgard Mercury Bay Area ton, Amy Foster Victoria University options and more importantly, the School, Colin North Waiuku Col- of Wellington, Claire Alison Turner city’s main attractions, restaurants lege, Dr Stephen R Parker IPPC, and Jingjing Wang of Victoria Uni- and hospitality venues. So far, Pieter Nicola Scholes, Dr Zoran Zujovic versity of Wellington. Dorrestein (University of California, University of Auckland. Canterbury Branch: Junhong Chen San Diego), Ben Davis (University Waikato Branch: Hayden Bosgra of Oxford), Tina Overton (University CPIT, Letitia Gilmour University of Hamilton Christian School, Brent L Canterbury, Rasika Kariyawasam of Hull), Jim Watkins (University of Kennedy Tonkin & Taylor. Massachusetts Amherst) and Jeff Tal- University of Canterbury, Gurpre- lon (Callaghan Innovation, NZ) have Manawatu Branch: Dave Mur- et Kaur University of Canterbury accepted invitations to be plenary doch Tamatea High School, Liam P Xiaozheng Ni CPIT, Rachel North speakers at the meeting. The official O’Gorman Cullinane College. University of Canterbury, Marat website for the conference is under Sibaer University of Canterbury, Wellington Branch: Dr Lawrence Fatemeh Tavakoinia University of construction, but further information Harris Callaghan Innovation, Dr can be found at www.nzic.org.nz/con- Canterbury, Andrew Wallace Univer- Doreen Mollenhauer Callaghan In- sity of Canterbury. ferences.html novation. Otago Branch: Christophe Du- Council News Canterbury Branch: Dr Deborah mas University of Otago, Matthias Crittenden University of Canterbury, Membership subscriptions Fellner University of Otago, Aimee Martin F Downing CPIT, Elena Gommans University of Otago, Sean You will have received your subscrip- Streltsova CPIT. MacKay University of Otago, Synove tion notice recently. Council agreed Otago Branch: Lisa Fortes South Scott University of Otago, Antonia to leave subscriptions unchanged for Otago High School, Dr Bill Hawkins Seidel University of Otago, James R 2013. University of Otago, Prof Kurt L Wright University of Otago. Krause University of Otago, Ian The idea of a Decade in Advance Deceased Membership has been floated. The Welsh Southland Boys’ High School. Norman Baird Canterbury Branch, concept is that members could pay Student Members (say) a 10-year subcription in one Harry Gapper Auckland Branch, payment. No discount is anticipated, Auckland Branch: Emily Boyd Uni- Alan Grout Auckland Branch, Louise but you would be exempt any in- versity of Auckland, Charith A Hetti- Russell and Alan Turner both of the creases that occur during the term the arachchi University of Auckland, Ha Wellington Branch. Zee Kong University of Auckland, payment covers. If there is sufficient Resigned interest Council will draw up details. Jane Leung University of Auckland Contact the Hon. Gen Sec (rendle@ Michael Pullar University of Auck- Auckland Branch: Jeremy Paul xtra.co.nz) if you are interested or land, Christopher J Wilcox Univer- Batchelor, Paul Chan, Basil John have thoughts. sity of Auckland. Dempsey, Robert (Bill) Dobbie, Prof Douglas Keith Russell, Dr Bronwen Waikato Branch: Emma Bagley Smith, Efrem Tham, Robert Thomp- Publications University of Waikato, Daven K Il- son, Dr Dianne Webster, David lenberger University of Waikato, Council has agreed to discontinue Wilkins, Jason Young. Sangata Kaufononga University of ChemEd NZ, the sister publication Waikato, Abigail Leonard University Waikato Branch: Olivia Jordan, to Chemistry in New Zealand. The of Waikato Jane Spenceley Univer- Nathalie Thomas-Zenden. main factor in this decision is the loss sity of Waikato. of funding formerly obtained from Manawatu Branch: Dr Lawrence 35 Chemistry in New Zealand April 2013 Creamer, Margaret Severinsen. for Chemical Communications and ments: Theory and experiment) and Distinguished Professor Margaret at the 48th Symposium on Theoretical Wellington Branch: Christopher Brimble was appointed Associate Chemistry (STC2012), in Karlsruhe, Blackford, Dr Thomas Borrmann, Editor for Organic and Biomolecular Germany (Benchmark calculations Dr Thomas Clarkson, Dr Daryl Chemistry (OBC), published by the of atomic properties of element 120). Crimmins, Dr Peter Ferguson, Dr Royal Society of Chemistry. Robin Ledger, Dr Dora Suuring, Elke Pahl took part in the Conference Gordon Wyatt. PhD student Jin Akagi received the on Mathematical Methods in Science Canterbury Branch: Lisa Graham, Best Student Paper Award at the MO- and Engineering (CMMSE) in Mur- Peter Hentschel, Dr Margaret Leon- EMS-MEMS SPIE Photonics Con- cia, Spain and gave an invited talk ard, Dr John Love, Ronald Roy, Tan- ference 2013 in San Francisco, USA. on Simulation of mercury melting: ya Schiefer, Graeme Tinkler, Kelvin The 2012 Baldwin’s Prize winners A hard nut to crack. She also gave a Walst. were James Wood, Han Sol Choi and talk about Quantum physics at a con- Cheyenne Muller. ference for gifted teenagers, NZA- Otago Branch: John Bailey, Rich- GC, in Auckland, as well as a talk ard John Hazle, Ryan E Hill, George The School had many visitors who about Melting of nanoclusters at the Morris, Dr Clifton Rickard. gave excellent talks. First, Professor University of Heidelberg, Germany. Gary B. Schuster form the Geor- Overseas Branch: Dr Anthony gia Technical Institute presented Peter Schwerdtfeger became Dis- Greenaway. two seminars Oxidative damage to tinguished Professor at Massey Uni- Prizes DNA and Modular self-assembly versity, and has been elected into the of DNA encoded nanostructures to International Academy of Quantum The deadline for nominations for the School.