NEWS TIPS: UD researchers present new findings on soil cleanup, semiconductors, catalysts and education
Contact: Ginger Pinholster / Beth Thomas / (302) 831-2791
* During the meeting, contact Ginger in San Francisco at (415) 394-1111 or [email protected]
University of Delaware researchers at the American Chemical Society's 213th national meeting April 13-17 will describe new information that may help immobilize metal contaminants in soils, plus a chemical key to unlock the secrets of natural compounds derived from red sea algae.
A theory to improve the "growth" of computer chips from chemical vapors will also be described, along with fundamental studies to support new catalysts for oxidizing a variety of molecules--from fuel to plastics. Finally, UD researchers will outline educational strategies to help science teachers interact effectively with both girls and boys.
UD's strong showing at the ACS meeting should come as no surprise to those familiar with the institution's track record in the chemical sciences. After all, The Gourman Report rates UD as the sixth best chemical engineering department in the country. Based on the number of scholarly publications by UD's chemical engineering faculty, Science Watch has judged the program among the top 10 in the world. Six of UD's chemical engineering professors are members of the prestigious National Academy of Engineering, eight are National Science Foundation Presidential Young Investigators and seven are named professors.
In 1995, a committee of the National Research Council described UD's chemical engineering program as "distinguished." And, since 1977, the ACS has consistently judged UD as seventh among 614 schools, based on the number of ACS-certified B.S. chemistry majors who had earned UD degrees. Most recently, UD and several collaborating institutions shared a National Science Foundation award for innovation in graduate education for chemists.
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ENVIRONMENTAL NEWS: Studies suggest strategies for trapping metals in soil
EMBARGOED: Not for release until 11:00 a.m. EST, Monday, April 14, 1997
New information--based on molecular-scale studies of different metals in soils--may help environmental engineers immobilize these contaminants more effectively, a UD researcher reported April 14 during the ACS meeting. At the soil's surface, key industrial metals including nickel, copper, chromium, cobalt and zinc--but not lead--quickly form mixed metal compounds that dramatically diminish their mobility in the natural environment, says Donald L. Sparks, chairperson of UD's Department of Plant and Soil Sciences. "We have been able to precisely identify the chemical structure of these mixed metal compounds, or surface precipitates, on various soil/mineral surfaces," said Sparks, an invited ACS speaker who co-organized a prestigious geochemistry symposium. "They form quickly--in some cases, in just 15 minutes--and they seem to be quite resistant to degradation. We believe these complexes could be an important mechanism for metal sequestration, to prevent them from leaching into surroundi
ACS presentation information - Donald L. Sparks San Francisco Hilton, Imperial B, Ballroom Level Monday, April 14, 1997, 8:00 a.m. (Pacific Time) _____________________________________________________________
ALGAE POWER: Chemical "key" may unlock natural compounds
EMBARGOED: Not for release until 12 noon EST, Monday, April 14, 1997
Using a specially prepared chemical "key," UD researchers have set the stage to unlock the secrets of five unique compounds derived from red sea algae, according to an April 14 presentation at the ACS meeting. The marine-based compounds, known in research circles by the lengthy handle, "halogenated nonisoprenoid sesquiterpenes," might someday prove useful to pharmaceutical companies, says P. Andrew Evans, an assistant professor of chemistry. Evans hopes his work will inspire other researchers to identify a variety of practical uses for the structurally diverse compounds, by making them easier to synthesize in large quantities. The compounds currently have "undetermined biological activity," Evans says. "But," he adds, "this strategy will allow significant quantities of these agents to be prepared and assayed." With graduate student Jamie D. Roseman, a recipient of the coveted ACS graduate fellowship sponsored by Rohm and Haas, Evans has thus far used the new technique to synthesize kum
ACS presentation information - P. Andrew Evans Moscone Center, Room 110, Exhibit Level Monday, April 14, 1997, 9:40 a.m. (Pacific Time) _____________________________________________________________
GENDER EQUITY: Cooperating teachers can make a difference in girls' lives
EMBARGOED: Not for release until 12:00 p.m. EST, Sunday, April 13, 1997
"The saying that `sex is the difference that makes no difference' is not true in the science classroom," says UD researcher Kathryn C. Scantlebury, who discussed chemistry education during an April 13 presentation at the ACS meeting. "Frequently, teachers themselves may not be aware of the different ways they treat boys and girls and the different expectations they have." Consequently, an important aspect of professional development for teachers is instilling gender-sensitivity in young teachers-to-be, says Scantlebury, assistant professor of chemistry and biochemistry. This sensitivity can be instilled in teaching strategies, questioning patterns and other interactions during teaching practicums, she adds. Cooperating teachers--public school teachers who work in classrooms with student teachers--can have a great influence on the next generation of teachers because of their daily interaction with them. Based on 200 hours of classroom observations, Scantlebury says student teachers wor
ACS presentation information - Kathryn C. Scantlebury: Crowne Plaza, Michelangelo Room, 4th Floor Sunday, April 13, 1997, 10:30 a.m. (Pacific Time)
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WHEN METAL MEETS AIR: New catalysts for oxidizing molecules may result
EMBARGOED: Not for release until 5:00 p.m. EST, Tuesday, April 15, 1997
By revealing exactly how oxygen and various organometallic molecules interact, fundamental studies at UD may someday support the development of improved organometallic catalysts for making a variety of molecules--from plastics to hydrocarbon fuels, researchers reported April 15 during the ACS meeting. Klaus H. Theopold, director of UD's Inorganic Synthesis Laboratory, is pairing chromium, a transition metal, with oxidizing agents capable of donating an oxygen atom to other molecules. The resulting organochromium molecules may ultimately result in more highly controlled catalytic production processes, including oxidation and polymerization reactions. "We're seeing interesting changes in the reactivity of these molecules as we increase their oxidation level," Theopold explains. "That's of interest in olefin polymerization catalysis, for producing long-chain hydrocarbons including polyethylene [a plastic], and in oxidation catalysis, for making substances such as phenol from benzene [a fu
ACS presentation information - Klaus H. Theopold Moscone Center, Room 103, Exhibit Level Tuesday, April 15, 1997, 2:50 p.m. (Pacific Time)
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MATERIALS SCIENCE: UD theory may improve the "growth" of computer chips
EMBARGOED: Not for release until 2:00 p.m. EST, Monday, April 14, 1997
UD research might someday help computer companies "grow" next-generation semiconductors faster while also achieving greater control over material properties, Douglas J. Doren reported April 14 during the ACS meeting. Doren, an associate professor of chemistry and biochemistry at UD, says different chemical additives known as "dopants" alter the growth rate of silicon and silicon-germanium alloys, new materials promising faster computing speeds than traditional silicon wafers. By understanding exactly how dopants alter the material's growth rate, he says, it may be possible to better control the electronic properties of films grown from chemical vapors at low temperature.
ACS presentation information - Douglas J. Doren: Sheraton Palace, Mendocino Room, 2nd Floor Monday, April 14, 1997, 11:20 a.m. (Pacific Time)
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