Calendar
Calendar
Seminar Series: Spring 2006
All seminars are Fridays, 3-4pm Druckenmiller room 20 unless otherwise noted.
April 28
Lawrence A. LeBlanc
School of Marine Sciences, University of Maine at Orono
Investigations of Hydrocarbon Fate and Transport in Diverse Aquatic Environments
Abstract:
Organic hydrocarbon pollutants have unfortunately become pervasive in our aquatic environment. Understanding how these chemicals interact with biological systems in terms of uptake, biomagnification, degradation and resistance to degradation can aid in the assessment of ecological impacts and the design of remediation strategies. Dr. Larry LeBlanc has participated in numerous studies concerning the environmental fate and transport of a variety of hydrocarbon classes in diverse aquatic environments.
The distributions and fate of synthetic organic chemicals are driven by many forces including particle reactivity, and resistance to chemical and/or biological breakdown. Larry will discuss his work on resistance to degradation of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons in urban harbor sediment (New York Harbor), the fate and effects of sediment-bound pesticides in riverine systems adjacent to agricultural activity (Central Valley, California) and the distribution and transport of current-use pesticides in a hypersaline lake (Salton Sea) in southeastern California.
April 7
Normand M. Laurendeau
Ralph and Bettye Bailey Professor of Combustion
School of Mechanical Engineering, Purdue University
Energy and Environment: The Search for Balance
Our historic reliance on fossil fuels for meeting current energy needs is problematic with respect to both the reality of local pollution and the potential for global climate change. However, despite past failures, I claim that future energy requirements can be met with minimal damage to the environment. Energy conservation, carbon sequestration and safe nuclear power are three immediate strategies for at least alleviating the air and water pollution which invariably accompany the use of fossil fuels. Further progress is hindered by the lack of a free market in energy and the recognition that fifty years are typically required to change our energy infrastructure. Nevertheless, I boldly suggest that a bright future exists for renewable forms of energy, particularly biomass and wind. Hedging my bets, I also consider other options such as solar energy and hydrogen. In addition, I pose basic research challenges for chemists and physicists as we enter a period of monumental transition with respect to both the forms and uses of energy. I conclude that we must begin now to create a viable energy future. Delay only exacerbates the inevitable choices that must be made so that we might balance our need for sufficient energy with our desire for a healthy environment.
April 21
Fred MacDonnell UTA
Thursday, March 30th
J. Matthew Hutchison, Ph. D.
Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry
Swarthmore College
Collision-Induced Electronic Energy Transfer:
I2 + He, Ar, and CF4
Refreshments 2:30 PM Druckenmiller 26
Seminar 3:00 PM Druckenmiller 16
Friday March 31
Dr. Robert Griffin
Assistant Professor of Atmospheric Chemistry, University of New Hampshire
Robert Griffin, Ph.D.
Joint Appointment with the Institute for the Study of Earth, Oceans, and Space
Atmospheric Nitrogen Oxides during New England Summer: An Indication of Halogen Chemistry in the Troposphere
Friday, March 3, 2006
Paul Bachorik, Ph.D.
Professor Emeritus, Department of Pediatrics
Associate Professor Emeritus, Department of Pathology
The Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine
Why did my cholesterol go up, Doc?
Atherosclerosis, particularly atherosclerotic heart disease is one of the most common disorders in the US today, and kills almost a half million people each year. We will discuss how and why cholesterol, LDL and other lipoproteins are measured, and consider some of the factors that can complicate the interpretation of the measurements. These include the accuracy of the analytical method, normal biological variation, conditions that can transiently affect the individual's usual lipoprotein concentration, and how to recognize real changes when they occur. The discussion focuses on cholesterol and lipoproteins, but the measurement issues apply regardless of what is measured or why.
Refreshments 2:30 Druckenmiller 26
Seminar 3:00 Druckenmiller 20
Monday, March 6, 2006
Elizabeth Pollock Ph.D.
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
Applied Quantum Mechanics: Nuclear Magnetic Resonance Spectroscopy
For most of us, quantum mechanics is an esoteric field of study, interesting to physicists but of dubious relevance to chemistry. One practical application of quantum mechanics which plays a central role in many chemical investigations is Nuclear Magnetic Resonance Spectroscopy (NMR). Some of the theoretical underpinnings of NMR will be explored in order to better appreciate quantum theory
Refreshments 3:30 Druckenmiller 26
Seminar 4:00 Druckenmiller 20
February 10
Rick Broene
Associate Professor of Chemistry, Bowdoin College
Tales of of the South:
Cobalt Catalyst Reactions
February 17th
"2006 Summer Faculty Presentations"
Faculty, staff and students who are interested in Summer Research with the Department of Chemistry are encouraged to attend.
February 3
Dr. William Berkowitz
Professor Emeritus of Organic Chemistry, The City University of New York (CUNY)
Links:
Orgo Cards: Organic Chemistry Review
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