“This was an extreme incident, but it’s not an isolated one,” says Therese Karlsson, a science and technical adviser at the International Pollutants Elimination Network (IPEN). Plastic pollution is ubiquitous. Nurdles and other plastic pollution can be found on just about every beach in the world. But little is understood about the chemistry, movement, and evolution of plastic pollution over time—crucial details for chemists who want to untangle its environmental impact.
by Katherine Bourzac | January 22, 2023
Hunger has a major impact on a significant fraction of the world’s population: 6 million people die from starvation annually, or approximately 5–11 people per minute, according to Oxfam International. And an estimated 22% of children under 5 had stunted growth in 2020, according to the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations.
by Adelina Voutchkova-Kostal and Jitesh Soares, ACS staff | January 21, 2023
The spirit of international conferences is to remove the barriers among people, according to Mama El Rhazi of the University Hassan II Casablanca, one of the organizers and current president of the Federation of African Societies of Chemistry (FASC). “The theme is ‘Linking the World through Chemistry.’
by Jessica Marshall | January 20, 2023
Goodman, an analyst at the US International Trade Commission, has a background in chemical engineering. In assembling his plan, Goodman limits himself to technologies that are mature and deployable at scale today. A motif, especially in the chapters about such solutions, is that innovations are something we should bolt on as they become ready, not sit still and wait for. But a lot of smart, cautious people are betting on things like new nuclear power chemistries and point-source carbon capture—tech they’d argue is ready to go even if it’s not currently done at scale. The cornerstones and first steps that Goodman describes are decarbonizing transportation and the electrical grid using renewables, energy storage, and biofuels.
by Craig Bettenhausen | January 13, 2023
—World Chemical Outlook 2023: Talks to continue on a plastics pact and chemical agreements “” Controlling plastic pollution and persistent pollutants and improving the management of commercial substances will top the international policy agenda for chemicals this year. The first talks on a global agreement to curb plastic pollution ended in December, and negotiators have scheduled second and third rounds of negotiations for later this year.
by Cheryl Hogue | January 11, 2023
ACS Award for Achievement in Research for the Teaching and Learning of Chemistry: Maria Oliver-Hoyo Sponsor: ACS Exams Institute Citation: For contributions to the development and operationalization of active, progressive, and ability-sensitive pedagogies for chemistry instruction Current position: Professor of chemistry, North Carolina State University Education: BS, chemistry, University of Puerto Rico; MS, chemistry, Georgetown University; PhD, chemistry, Drexel University Oliver-Hoyo on her most memorable project: “Early on in my career, we developed chemistry experiments for visually challenged students to enjoy chemistry in an active, engaged, and independent way.
by Nina Notman, special to C&EN | December 30, 2022
Sponsor: ACS Citation: For career-long public service in the use of science in state, national, and international environmental policy development and implementation Current position: Adjunct professor of chemistry, Indiana University Bloomington Education: BA, chemistry and physics, DePauw University; MS, organic chemistry, Tulane University; PhD, organic chemistry, Indiana University Bloomington Carroll on his proudest career moment: “Being elected ACS president was truly the honor of a lifetime.”
by Nina Notman, special to C&EN | December 30, 2022
—How to pack for sampling Earth’s hottest pockets “Adventurous scientists traverse hellish landscapes in Iceland, Turkmenistan, and Hawaii” When the Fagradalsfjall volcano in Iceland awoke in spring 2021 after 815 years of slumber, the geochemists and petrologists at the University of Iceland knew they wanted a sample.
by Louisa Dalton, special to C&EN | December 30, 2022
How did you spend your year as president-elect? I have been involved in many initiatives with a great team of fellow ACS volunteers and staff. One important focus was to address the public’s declining trust in science and scientists. In the past, chemistry and science in general were trusted and believed in, and even if people didn’t understand the nuances of the science, they at least believed scientists were not out to harm them or the planet.
by Sophie Rovner, ACS staff | December 30, 2022
The whole episode is a tragedy, which, as outlined below, arises from the long-accepted manner in which undergraduate organic chemistry is universally taught. I don’t know when medical schools first began to use the grade in organic chemistry and the answers to organic chemistry–based questions as the bar for entrance.
December 30, 2022