November 2022, Vol. 12(11)

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‘Recycle a Poster’ Returns at Bell’s

On Nov. 29, 2022, the Kalamazoo section of the American Chemical Society (KACS) will host its 10th annual poster session titled “Sustainable Science – Recycle a Poster” at Bell’s Eccentric CafĂ© in downtown Kalamazoo.

The KACS is pleased to bring back the popular event after a break in 2020 and 2021 due to the COVID pandemic. This is a public event made possible through a generous grant from Zoetis. Our keynote speaker will be Mark E. Jones, Ph.D. Mark retired in March 2021 as Executive External Strategy and Communications Fellow for Dow Chemical, having spent a decade on the CTO’s staff. As an active contributor to the American Chemical Society he has served as chair of the Midland Local Section, writes for Industry Matters, hosts webinars and currently serves on the Committee on Public Relations and Communications and the National Historic Chemical Landmarks subcommittee.

All scientists interested in presenting a poster, please send your abstracts to symposium@kalamazooacs.org along with the poster title, the author list with the presenter underlined and an asterisk (*) for the lead PI, and the institution information by Sunday, November 27. Undergraduate and graduate students are encouraged to participate. Newly-prepared or “recycled” posters are welcome. Student presenters who submit their abstract (100-200 words) by Sunday, Nov. 27, can win a $50 cash prize (3 will be awarded)!

Current ACS members, poster presenters and Zoetis employees are eligible for two complimentary drink tickets (alcoholic beverages for 21 years and older).

For more information please feel free to email symposium@kalamazooacs.org.

Chemistry Day 2022 Redux and Thank You

What an exciting year to coordinate my first in-person Chemistry Day at the Kalamazoo Valley Museum with Annette Hoppenworth and Lexie Schroeder-Kobb; my thanks to both for making the planning process so fun!

After being virtual the last two years due to the pandemic, I did not know what to expect this year for the program. The response to our calls for volunteers exceeded all my expectations! Thank you so much to everyone that helped: there were 49 chemists who presented 16 demos to about 600 members of the Kalamazoo community! Volunteers came from Bridge Organics, Lake Michigan College, Kalamazoo Area Math and Science Center (KAMSC), Kalamazoo College, Kalamazoo Valley Community College, Kalsec, Perrigo, Pfizer, Portage Central High School and Western Michigan University. Additionally, more than a dozen scientists reached out to express their disappointment at not being able to participate due to other commitments – thank you all, and I look forward to working with you in 2023 and beyond.

The willingness of KACS members to give a few hours of their time on a Saturday to discuss chemistry with the Kalamazoo community and show the next generation of chemists why we are all so passionate about our field is what makes this section truly great!

I hope you enjoyed your 2022 Chemistry Day at the Museum experience. My only regret is that I was sick and not able to greet each of you.

Please mark your calendar for next year’s Chemistry Day at the Museum, which is scheduled for October 14, 2023 from noon to 4 p.m.

A ‘Safety Lesson’ All of Us Need to Heed

By now you are aware that the 2022 Nobel Prize in Chemistry went to Carolyn Bertozzi of Stanford University, Barry Sharpless of Scripps Research Institute, and Morten Meldal of the University of Copenhagen “for the development of click chemistry and bioorthogonal chemistry.”

https://www.nobelprize.org/prizes/chemistry/2022/summary/

Even though some may have read the real-life “cautionary tale” about/by one of this year’s winners, Barry Sharpless, it is a reminder worth sharing with all who work in a laboratory setting at any level:

https://news.mit.edu/1992/safety-0311

Wayne State Assistant Chemistry Professor Dr. James Bour Presents Seminar at Kalamazoo College

By Dr. Ed Thomas

Have you wondered how hydrogen powered vehicles can store that energy source safely? On October 13, Dr. James Bour, assistant professor of chemistry at Wayne State, presented a seminar and answered this question for nearly 40 students and professors from Kalamazoo College and Western Michigan University as well as KACS members in Dow Auditorium on K’s campus. The seminar entitled “Understanding Relationships Between Defectivity and Microporosity in Organic Polymers,” was jointly hosted by KACS and the Kalamazoo College Chemistry and Biology Department.

In an enthusiastic talk, James explained that by making porous organic materials he can control the surface area of the product. Increased surface area inside the polymer cavities (or pores) means more gas can be stored per gram of material at lower pressures than expected. The physical properties of these materials (pore size) are very substrate, time, and catalyst dependent during their synthesis. Additional information on this research using nickel catalysts with zinc dust to form the polymers can be found in Bour, Chem. Commun., 2022, 48, 6841. After a thoroughly engaging and enlightening talk, Dr. Bour was peppered with questions from the students and the audience. Some of these questions could not be answered as they are subjects of his next grant proposals. For the first in-person KACS function in over 2 years, we can report the evening was a success.

PR About Our 2022 Project SEED

KACS’ 2022 Project SEED students, with comments from our coordinator, Dr. Doug Williams, were featured in an article, written by Linda Mah, on pages 10 and 11 of the November 2022 issue of Kalamazoo Public Schools’ newsletter, Excelsior; check it out at https://www.kalamazoopublicschools.com/Excelsior (choose November 2022 edition)

Congratulations, Annette Hoppenworth!

Congratulations to Annette Hoppenworth, recently retired from the Kalamazoo Valley Museum (KVM), and key collaborator over 33 years for our section’s annual Chemistry Day there each Fall; she was recently honored with the 2022 Distinguished Career Award from the Midwest Museum Association.

Below are highlights of various aspects of her career at the Kalamazoo Valley Museum: 

  • Preschool exhibits and increasing literacy; conference presentations on how to use stories with preschoolers, along with collaborations with staff training and preschool exhibits.
  • Using stories to connect to KVM visitors and help KVM visitors connect to exhibits.
  • Using Carmen Sandiego to connect to planetarium show and take visitors “around the world” to other museums
  • Participation with Peace Jam and Aesthetic Education Programs
  • Chemistry Day, 36-year collaboration with the Kalamazoo Section of the American Chemical Society—an example of community
  • Storytelling Festival—helped visitors use the power of their stories to connect people and to help them discover who they are. connections and support

A Little Light Humor

“A photon checks into a hotel. A bell hop asks him if he needs any help with his luggage. The photon says, ‘No, thanks. I’m traveling light.’”

Long Time Member Dr. Charles “Chuck” Coverdale passes away

Our sincere condolences to the family of Dr. Charles “Chuck” Coverdale, a 64-year member of the KACS.

According to his obituary, “Chuck worked his entire career at the Upjohn Company beginning downtown doing heart research and later as a Production Manager in Fine Chemicals. He was proud of his record in going the extra mile to keep his chemical operators safe when they worked in cubicles and had difficult procedures to follow. The making of the raw material for Motrin was an important project he worked on.”

A memorial service to celebrate Chuck’s life will be held at Portage United Church of Christ on Sunday, November 6 at 3 p.m. A visitation with family will take place at 2 p.m. before the service.