Nebraska ACS Local Section

October-November Newsletter

The October-November Newsletter is now available here.

November Speaker

Environmental Forensics and Analytical Atomic Spectroscopy

Speaker: Dr. Ramon Barnes
When: Tuesday, November 10, 2009
Venue: Ockinga Conference Center, UNK Campus

Time: 6:00 pm social, 6:30 pm dinner (Italian buffet-style), 7:00 pm talk

Cost: $8 for ACS Members/ $12 for Non-members/ $4 for students (RSVP November 4)

Environmental forensics is a new subject area relating to courtroom or litigation proceedings and the fact basis for mediated or negotiated transactions involving environmental matters. Environmental forensic investigations often deal with historical release of contaminants and attempt to establish who caused the contamination, when and how the contamination occurred, how extensive the contamination was, what levels of contamination exposure existed, and how valid the test results were. Plasma spectrochemical analysis has been applied to a large variety of environmental and forensic materials to identify and quantify their elemental concentrations, isotopic compositions, and metal compound forms. Specifically, inductively coupled plasma (ICP) atomic emission (ICP-AES) and mass spectrometry (ICP-MS) provide powerful elemental analysis tools for air monitoring, biota analysis, soil and sediment analysis, radionuclide determinations, and water and ecological monitoring. The features of plasma spectrochemistry will be described, and ICP analyses of environmental and forensic materials will be reviewed with emphasis on chemometric data interpretation for source identification. The unique applications of laser ablation (LA-ICP-MS) for microsamples and especially crime scene samples will be demonstrated. Elemental speciation with combined separation and ICP-MS tools also will be introduced.

Biographical Sketch Ramon Barnes is director of the University Research Institute for Analytical Chemistry, Professor Emeritus of Chemistry at the University of Massachusetts, editor of the ICP Information Newsletter (1975-), and chairman of the Winter Conference on Plasma Spectrochemistry (1980-). He received a Ph.D. in analytical chemistry from the University of Illinois, Champaign/Urbana, in 1966, an A.M. in chemistry from Columbia University, New York, in 1963, and was a post doctoral research fellow at Iowa State University, Ames, in 1968 and 1969. He served as an Army Captain at NASA Lewis Research Center, Cleveland, from 1966 to 1968. From 1969 to 2000 he taught analytical chemistry and maintained an international research program at the University of Massachusetts, Amherst. He has published more than 300 papers, edited four books, and continues an active research interest in fundamentals and applications of inductively coupled plasma (ICP) discharges for spectrochemical analysis.

For questions and RSVP (by November 4), contact:

Mike Mosher, mosherm@unk.edu (308) 865-8385 or

Scott Darveau, darveausa@unk.edu (308) 865-8491.

Molecules to Mozzarella: The Chemistry of Cheese

Title: Molecules to Mozzarella: The Chemistry of Cheese

Monday, October 12, 2009

Venue: Valentinos at 35th and Holdredge in Lincoln, NE (hosted by NWU Chem Department)

Time: Gather downstairs at Valentino's at 5:30 pm, the presentation will begin around 5:45. Drinks should be available at this time.

Dinner: Enjoy the full buffet for only $1 for students and $5 for ACS members! The buffet (and general discussion) will follow the presentation.

Coagulation of milk, removal of whey, and ripening are all required when making cheese, and chemistry is involved every step of the way. This non-technical talk describes the procedure from raw milk to final product, and illustrates the differences between cheese types, including the development of the many flavors in cheese.

Biographical Sketch: Michael H. Tunick received a B.S. in Chemistry from Drexel University in 1977. He was astudent trainee at the Eastern Regional Research Center of the U.S. Department ofAgriculture in Wyndmoor, PA, and was hired as a chemist upon graduation. He performed research on treatment of tannery waste with the Hides and Leather Laboratory until 1983, when he was transferred to what is now the Dairy Processing & Products Research Unit. He pursued a Ph.D. in Physical-Analytical Chemistry on a part-time basis during this period, receiving the degree from Temple University in 1985. He also became a research chemist in that year and was involved in a number of projects, including detection of mislabeled cheese and development of low-fat Mozzarella for the National School Lunch Program. He currently relates the effects of processing to changes in composition, texture, and microstructure of cheese and extruded whey proteins. He is the Secretary and a Past Chair of the ACS Division of Agricultural and Food Chemistry, and is Councilor and Past President of the Thermal Analysis Forum of Delaware Valley.

September Newsletter

The September Newsletter is now available here.

Midwest Regional Meeting 2009!

Midwest Regional Meeting

When: October 21-24, 2009

Where: Iowa City, IA Sheraton Hotel and Conference Center

Abstract Deadline: September 4, 2009

Website for more information: http://www.mwrm2009.org/home

September Speaker: Judith Giordan

“Know Yourself – A self-assessment on how you behave and how it impacts others”

Friday, September 18, 2009

Venue: 152 Lied Math and Science Building, Doane College

Time: 5:45 pm refreshments, 6:00 pm talk

See the latest Newsletter for driving directions.

This interactive workshop will ask important questions such as: Are you a Driver, an Expressive, an Amiable or an Analytical? What behavior style do you prefer? Do you tend to be more people or task oriented? More tell or ask assertive? What do you do when backed into a corner? While there’s no right or wrong to these questions, in today’s team based work environment, if you know how you come across and can assess how others prefer to interact, you and the team have a higher chance of achieving your goals. Find out about yourself and how to maximize your interactions with others to help ensure personal and project success!

August Newsletter

The August Newsletter is now available here.

Updates

The latest Newsletter is now available here. My apologies for the late posting

Leadership Development Workshop

You are encouraged to participate in a Workshop on Fostering Innovation, one of a series of Workshops provided by the ACS. There is no charge to the first 20 participants!

See the Following Links for more details:

Flyer detailing date, time, and location
Directions to Doane College

Ropes Challenge Course

May Event: Ropes Challenge Course

Date: May 2nd from 11:00 am-4:00 pm
Venue: Mathematics building, Doane College

All ACS members and their families are invited to a fun-filled day at Doane College! ACS members will participate in the ropes challenge course, which is designed for organizations to foster team building exercises, to recognize leadership talents, and to encourage the development and use of innovative problem-solving strategies. For the younger future scienctists, Doane College Chemistry club students will have lots of hands-on activities for those 16 and under. There will be all kinds of fun activities for the kids and we are doing the low ropes course if you were worried about heights. We would REALLY love to have you all here for the event. The Chemistry club has been planning some great activities so please take advantage of this (i.e tie-dye and other fun chemistry related fun). The kids activity are split into two groups, middle school and up, and elementary and younger. Please feel free to invite colleagues and their families as well. Lunch will be served served as well. And the best part?? It's all free!!! So please join us for a lovely of fun, food, and chemistry!Lunch will be provided during the event. Please R.S.V.P. to kerry.lucas@doane.edu or 402.826.82432 if you would like to participate.

Full Information is provided in the Ropes-Flyer.