—NIST Issues Standard For Testing Lead “” The National Institute of Standards & Technology has developed a standard reference material for testing lead in paint on children’s toys. The material is intended to be used by manufacturers to confirm that their methods for quantifying lead levels in toys yield accurate results.
by Britt E. Erickson | October 22, 2012
—Lego Began Research On Switching To A Biobased Plastic “Plastics: Company plans to spend $150 million to move away from current formula” An article on the disclosure by the Danish toy maker Lego that it wants to switch the feedstock for its iconic building blocks from petrochemicals to sustainable raw materials was C&EN’s most-read online story in 2015.
by Alex Scott | December 21, 2015
—Test detects hormones “” Bioscientists at England's University of Birmingham have developed a simple test that detects artificial hormones that may be present in nonrigid plastics such as hospital intravenous tubes, food packaging, and children's toys. The test measures the ability of a chemical to block estrogen inactivation. Some of the compounds identified by the test, such as phthalate ester plasticizers, have already been banned in the European Union from use in children's toys. An EU-sponsored symposium is being held to discuss artificial hormones on March 3 at the University of Birmingham. /articles/84/i8/Test-detects-hormones.html 20060220 Concentrates 84 8 /magazine/84/8408.html Test detects hormones con bus environment Test detects hormones Chemical & Engineering News Test detects hormones Test detects hormones
February 20, 2006
Such a system is needed to protect people and the environment from endocrine disruptors in cosmetics, food contact materials, drinking water, toys, and other consumer products, the groups say. The commission’s proposal, which was released in June of last year, is intended to help EU regulators determine which chemicals in pesticides and biocides, such as hand disinfectants, are endocrine disruptors.
by Britt E. Erickson | February 20, 2017
Nalley believes that toys such as those designed by Kooijman play an important role in encouraging girls into the sciences. Nalley once proposed a Barbie the Chemist doll to the ACS Board of Directors (C&EN, April 7, page 56). If Research Institute were available today, Nalley says, she would purchase one for each of the 12 middle school girls who are attending Cameron’s applied mathematics and aerospace engineering camp this week. Unfortunately, Nalley and the rest of us science toy fanatics will have to wait until August for the minifigures’ release. /articles/92/i25/Tree-Hugging-Koalas-Lego-Girl.html 20140623 92 25 /magazine/92/09225.html Tree-Hugging Koalas, Lego Girl Power koalas, trees, summer, Legos, chemistry toys, gender equality, Newscripts newscript Jeff Huber education Tree hugger: Koala finds cool embrace. Miniscientists: Toys crack Lego glass ceiling. Shutterstock Ellen Kooijman Koala bear hugging sitting on branch and hugging a tree trunk. Legos portraying an astronomer, a paleontologist and chemist. animal toys gender equality LEGOs Tree-Hugging Koalas, Lego Girl Power Chemical & Engineering News Tree-Hugging Koalas, Lego Girl Power Tree-Hugging Koalas, Lego Girl Power
by Jeff Huber | June 23, 2014
Magic Sand And Kinetic Sand “These toys are popular in classrooms and on desktops because of their logic-defying properties” The basis for two popular educational toys is something you can find in great abundance on the beach. But magic sand and kinetic sand have a little extra chemical kick that makes them act quite unlike their boring beach-bum cousin.
by Andrea Widener | March 23, 2015
Toronto-based Spin Master Toys' Catch-A-Bubble takes bubble strengthening to extremes. Invented by Taiwanese bubble solution expert Jackie Lin, the top-secret Catch-A-Bubble solution contains a polymer that allows bubbles to resist evaporation. The polymer reacts with air to harden three to four seconds after a bubble is blown.
April 28, 2003
—Bioengineer brings paper centrifuge and other cheap diagnostics to the developing world “Manu Prakash of Stanford discusses how whimsical toys inspired a way to diagnose malaria” Stanford University bioengineer Manu Prakash specializes in frugal science: engineering cheap, easy-to-use diagnostic tools for the developing world, especially remote areas where bulky, electric-powered lab equipment is impractical.
by Melissa Pandika, special to C&EN | April 17, 2017
NEWS OF THE WEEK NEWS OF THE WEEK January 3, 2000 Volume 78, Number 1 CENEAR 78 1 pp. 8 - 9 ISSN 0009-2347 [Previous Story][Next Story] One plasticizer okay, another still suspect, says federal panel Bette Hileman At current exposure levels, a plasticizer widely used in polyvinyl chloride to make toysdiisononyl phthalate (DINP)poses no risk to human reproduction or development, a federal advisory panel concluded during a mid-December meeting in Research Triangle Park, N.C.
by Bette Hileman | January 03, 2000
Using a low-cost three-dimensional printer, he made a handheld centrifuge based on the toy. The mini centrifuge holds three 1.5- or 2.0-mL sample tubes at 45° angles, one in each of its lobes. Pinching the center of the centrifuge and giving it a push sends the tubes spinning between the user’s fingers.
by Corinna Wu | August 07, 2017