1. science
2. chemistry

The Detroit Chemist
Published by the Detroit Section, American Chemical Society
January 2015
Vol. 104, No. 1
1560 Beaver St, Dearborn, MI 48128
Walter O. Siegl, interim-editor
Detroit Section ACS
Officers for 2015
Chair:
Chair-Elect:
Secretary:
Treasurer:
Dr. Charlene Hayden (Oakland U.)
Dr. Matt Mio (U. of Detroit-Mercy)
Ms. Denise Grimsley (BASF Corp.)
Dr. Shannon Timmons (Lawrence Tech. University)
Councilors & Alternate Councilors
(3-year terms)
Councilor:
Councilor:
Councilor:
Walter O. Siegl
(Ford Motor Co., retired) (term ends 2015)
Jim Landis
(Henkel Corp., retired) (term ends 2016)
Mark Benvenuto
(U. of Detroit-Mercy) (term ends 2017)
Alt. Councilor:
Mary K. Heidtke
(Magni Industries)(term ends 2015)
Alt. Councilor: Mark DeCamp
(U. of Michigan-Dearborn)(term ends 2016)
Alt. Councilor: Meghann Murray
(U. of Detroit-Mercy) (term ends 2017)
The Detroit Section ACS offers special thanks Prof. Anthony Sky (Lawrence Technical University) and Kevin Perry (General Motors Corp.) for their willingness to serve as
candidates in the recent election. Thanks also go to all of the member who took the time
to vote.
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Meet the Incoming Chair
If the name Charlene Hayden sounds familiar to longtime members of the Detroit Section, it should be. Charlene
was one of our most active members, having served twice previously as Section Chair as well as holding a number of other
offices. In 2007, Charlene left the Detroit area and her position at GM Research to teach chemistry full-time as an Associate Professor at Daytona Beach Community College in Daytona
Beach, Florida. In 2010 she returned to this area and joined
Oakland University (Rochester, MI) as a Visiting Assistant Professor of Chemistry where she currently teaches General
Chemistry I & II and Analytical Chemistry courses. We are
very pleased to have Prof. Hayden back as the head of our 2015 leadership team
Needed: New Volunteer Editor for the Detroit Chemist
The Detroit ACS is looking for a volunteer to take over as editor of the Detroit Chemist. The ideal candidate would be a person with high sense of personal responsibility, reasonably savvy computer skills and a willingness to take on the position for at least two years.
We estimate that the time commitment would involve approximately 10-12 hours per month
for 8 months of the year that the Chemist is published. The editor also serves as a key member of the Section Executive Committee. No prior editorial skills are required. Training
would be provided and you would have a dedicated group of fellow volunteers to provide
support and assistance. Inquiries should be directed to Charlene Hayden at hayden2@oakland.edu.
January Program Meeting Co-Sponsored by ANACHEM
The Chemists Behind the
Chemistry: A Historical
Perspective
Prof. Mark Benvenuto
Dept. of Chemistry, University of Detroit-Mercy
Thursday, January 29, 2015
University of Detroit-Mercy, Chemistry Building
4001 West McNichols Road, Detroit, MI
6:30 pm: Reception
7:00 pm: Presentation
Abstract
We know their names from their works, but who were the chemists that became so
famous? Why do Boyle, Charles, and Gay-Lussac get gas laws named after them? Why
does Mendeleev get the title, “Father of the Periodic Table” but not have an element
named after him until after Marie Curie does? Why is there a Priestley Medal, and why
doesn’t Lavoisier have a theory named after him? If Moseley did such pioneering work,
why is there no law or theory with his name? Come and enjoy a talk and discussion about
these people and others who have so keenly shaped our science.
Biographical Information
Mark Benvenuto is a Professor of Chemistry and Department Chair at the University of Detroit Mercy, where he has been employed for 20 years. Prior to this he did postdoctoral research at Penn State from '91 - '93, received his PhD from the University of Virginia in late 1991, spent four years as a lieutenant in the U.S. Army from 1983-87, and
graduated with a BS degree from the Virginia Military Institute in 1983. He has a wide
range of interests and is seldom at a lack for words.
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This event is free, all are welcome at attend!
American Chemical Society – Detroit Local Section –
Younger Chemists Committee Presents:
Brewing Chemistry is a monthly lectures series. These informal talks are
designed to make science fun and accessible for all. The lectures take
place at 7 p.m. on the third Tuesday of every month at:
Traffic Jam & Snug, 511 West Canfield Street, Detroit, MI 48201
There is no admission charge, and free parking is available.
Feel free to join us before the talk at 6:00 PM for a dutch-treat dinner.
Tuesday, January 20, 2014
at 7 PM
Program title not yet set at publication deadline, please check on-line at
www.brewingchemistry.com
Well Done Ms. Klein, Thank You
The Detroit Section of the American Chemical Society
has been most fortunate these past two years to have a
leader with the skills, dedication and conscientiousness that
Megan Klein brought to the position of Section Chair. In December, Megan, who has been with Ash Stevens, Inc as an
Analytical Chemist for the last 10 plus years, completed her
second one-year term as Chair of the Detroit ACS. Under her
leadership the Detroit Section continued its award-winning
ways. The Detroit Section has in recent years been consistently ranked as one of the top three sections nationally in
its size category, and under Megan’s leadership that tradition continued.
As the Section Chair, Megan was responsible for chairing the Executive
Committee meetings, planning monthly programs, maintaining communication with the
national office, and providing overall leadership for the Detroit Section. Megan did all of
these with competence and confidence. While, albeit she had a good support team, Ms.
Klein was responsible for bringing it all together. As Chair, she encouraged public outreach and the Section greatly expanded its interaction with the student chapters at area
colleges and universities. During her terms, Detroit ACS continued the very successful
Brewing Chemistry Series and began an outreach program at Detroit Zoo events that
brought hands-on chemistry experiments to thousands of youngsters. In one of the highlights of her tenure, she championed the recognition by the American Chemical Society of
the Thomas Edison Menlo Park Complex (now housed at Greenfield Village in Dearborn,
Michigan) as a Historic National Chemical Landmark. This effort culminated with a multifaceted, family-friendly commemoration ceremony event on September 20, 2014 at Greenfield
Village
Despite her busy schedule she continued to volunteer at various Detroit Section
public outreach events and to keep the Section's Career Program effort on track.
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Finding good leadership candidates is a challenge for most volunteer organizations
and it is true for the Detroit ACS. We are most fortunate and grateful for the excellent
leadership that Megan provided in her two terms – Thank you Megan.
Conversion to Electronic Delivery in
March 2015
Beginning with the March 2015 issue of the Detroit Chemist, our predominant mode
of deliver will be electronic. We will for a period of at least two years, continue to provide
delivery to those who specifically request a paper copy. Please note, to request continued delivery of a paper copy after the February 2015 issue, you must submit a request that includes
your mailing address to: Editor, 1560 Beaver Street, Dearborn, MI 48128. Also remember
that the Detroit Chemist can always be accessed on the Detroit Section Web site: http://
www.detroit.sites.acs.org/. (Sharon and Ray, we received your requests)
The electronic version will be delivered to the e-mail address that is on file with the
National ACS. Conversion to electronic delivery will enable us to deliver information in a
more timely manner and will offer a considerable saving in costs. It is anticipated that there
will continue to be an annual mailing of the November issue which will include the ballot material.
Have you misplaced your latest issue of the Detroit Chemist? Not sure you received it
yet? Please bookmark our website at http://detroit.sites.acs.org/ and you will always have
access to the latest issue of the Detroit Chemist. It will usually be posted on the website a
few days after it is released.
A Call for Nominations
Every year the Detroit Local Section of the American Chemical Society honors people that have gone above and beyond the call of duty. These volunteers have taken time
and energy out of their busy schedules to provide assistance and resources to the field of
chemistry in various roles. We like to recognize their efforts with a Salutes to Excellence
award (description below). The awardees are honored at our awards banquet.
Salutes to Excellence:
Salutes to Excellence is an award program that gives ACS members an opportunity
to conduct an event within their communities that recognizes the positive impact on everyday life made by a product of chemistry, a practitioner of chemistry, or a place of importance in chemistry. A central part of the event is the presentation of a commemorative
plaque, furnished by Office of Community Activities, for the honorees for the chemistry
achievement being honored.
If you know of an individual (or business) that deserves this recognition, please
submit their name(s) to Mary Kay Heidtke, Recognition Chair, Detroit Local Section. Her
email address is mkheidtke@aol.com Please submit your nominations no later than February 28, 2015.
________________
Science Fair Judges Sought
The 58th Annual Science and Engineering Fair of Metro Detroit is around the corner. Volunteer scientists and engineers are needed for a mentoring event on Saturday,
January 10, 2015 (you may not receive this in time) at Sam’s Club, 27300 Wixom Road,
Novi, MI 48374 from 10 am to 2 pm to help middle school and high school students with
their science fair projects. Mentors will mingle at tables for different topics such as air,
water, land, energy, etc and answer questions. Volunteers can sign up at the Science & Engineering Fair of Metro Detroit Website: https://www.sefmd.org/MentoringEvent/
RegisterVolunteer.asp.
Please mark your calendars, volunteers are needed to judge the
Science and Engineering Fair on Wed, March 11, 2015. Sign up online
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at: https://www.sefmd.org/
Planning for 2017 CERM Meeting in Detroit
Has Begun
In June of 2012, the Detroit Section ACS held a very
successful regional ACS meeting at The Henry hotel in Dearborn. Fired up by this success, the volunteer organizers
signed up to host the 2017 Central Regional Meeting, and
planning meetings have begun. Prof. Mark Benvenuto (U. of
Detroit-Mercy), general chair of the 2012 meeting, has again
assumed responsibility as general chair. The planning committee is taking form and has held its first two meetings but
there is still a need for volunteers.
In particular, the group still needs a program
chair. This position is the one that guides programming topics
for the meeting. While some of the programming is standard -- organic, inorganic, analytical, biochem, p-chem, chem ed, as both poster sessions and oral sessions -- some is built
and nurtured by the program chair. Anyone who has an interest in this position or who
has questions about it should contact Mark at benvenma@udmercy.edu. Other spots on
the committee are also open.
The planning group meets most months on the 4th Tuesday at the University of Detroit-Mercy Chemistry Building, room C117 at 6:30 pm; Pizza and pop are provided. This
month the group may be making a walk-through at the Henry hotel. Verify location with
Mark before planning to attend. To get on the distribution list for e-mails regarding the
planning, e-mail Mark at the address above.
NOMINEE SELECTION
for the
U.S. NATIONAL CHEMISTRY OLYMPIAD
Detroit Local Section Examination
Thursday, March 19, 2015
4:00 ‑ 8:30 pm
University of Michigan ‑ Dearborn
The 47th International Chemistry Olympiad will be held in July 2015 at in Baku, Azerbaijan. This event brings together high school students from about seventy countries to compete
in both theoretical and laboratory exercises. The four-member U.S. Team is organized and
sponsored by the American Chemical Society. The results of a national exam will be used to
select twenty students from around the country to attend a ten-day study camp at the U.S. Air
Force Academy in June. Four of these Study Camp participants will be selected to represent the
United States in the international competition in Baku, Azerbaijan. The ACS Detroit Section
will nominate twelve high school students from the Detroit area to take the national examination.
The initial step in the selection process is the local section examination to be administered by the Detroit Section on March 19 at the University of Michigan‑Dearborn. This examination will consist of a seventy question multiple-choice examination with one free-response
question in a two hour time period. The free-response question will be used to break tie scores.
A copy of last year's exam and further details about this year's competition will be found at the
Detroit Section Olympiad website (currently undergoing extensive remodeling). Based on the
results of the local section exam twelve students (the Nominees) will be nominated by the Section to sit for the National Examination. Another eight students will be recognized as Runners‑up. Through the generosity of the General Motors Corporation we expect to award cash prizes
in the amount of $150 and $50 respectively to the Nominees and Runners-up. The Nominees
will return to the University of Michigan‑Dearborn on April 16 for the National Examination.
This will be followed by an Awards Dinner to honor the nominees and their teachers.
On-line registration for the 2015 Chemistry Olympiad will open on February 2. Paper
registration (form enclosed) will also be accepted. To ensure participation by your students,
registration materials must be received by March 13, 2014.
Page 9
Calendar of Upcoming Events
Second Tuesday of the Month: Detroit Section Executive Committee Meeting - from
September through May. The meetings will start at 7:00 PM and are currently held at
Lawrence Technical University. For additional information contact Prof. Shannon
Timmons, stimmons@ltu.edu .
Third Tuesday of Every Month: Brewing Chemistry. For latest information, please see
http://brewingchemistry.com. .
Fourth Tuesday most months, planning meetings for 2017 CERM meeting at U. of Detroit-Mercy. See p 8
January 20: Brewing Chemistry at Traffic Jam & Snug, 7:00 PM, topic: tbd: http://
brewingchemistry.com/events.html.
January 29: Detroit ACS January Section meeting (co-sponsored by ANACHEM) at
University of Detroit-Mercy, 6:30 PM, speaker Prof. Mark Benvenuto; see p 3.
February 17: Brewing Chemistry at Traffic Jam & Snug, 7:00 PM, topic: tbd: http://
brewingchemistry.com/events.html
March 11: Science and Engineering Fair, judges wanted, p 7/8
March 19: Detroit Local Section Examination for USNCO at U. of Mich-Dearborn; see
p 9.
May 2015: Joint CERM and Great Lakes Regional Meeting
Detroit ACS and Facebook
Please "like" our Facebook page. You can do this one of two ways, you can either
go to our web site at .http://detroit.sites.acs.org/ and click the "like" button on the right
hand side of the home page, or you can find us on Face-book directly. Our page is called
Detroit Section of the American Chemical Society. Once the page comes up, please click
the "like" button to receive innovative scientific findings provided by the National ACS
and also to hear what's going on locally in the Detroit Area with the Detroit Section of the
ACS.
Sincerely,
Kevin Perry
10th Annual Chemistry Day Called a Huge
Success by Local Girl Scouts
On Saturday, November 8, 240 junior Girl Scouts and their leaders participated in the
tenth annual Chemistry Day and learned about the role of chemistry in everyday lives. The
event was a great success, mostly due to the support of our volunteers and sponsors. Crucial
donations were received from First United Methodist Church of Troy and the U. of Detroit
Mercy.
The Girl Scouts were enthusiastic as they took part in activities including a service project, a craft project, career session, and hands-on experiments. The service project was a can
food drive. The craft project, organized by Liz Roberts-Kirchhoff (UD-Mercy), had the Girl
Scouts using their creative talents to decorate holiday ornaments using elements from the Periodic Table. In a second craft project, the girls used C&E News magazines and colored paper to
make science career collages.
In the career phase of the program, the Girl Scouts were exposed to various careers
available in the field of chemistry. Meghann Murray (UD-Mercy) was the lead coordinator for
this activity. Four great speakers shared information about their careers and the impact that science has had on their professional lives. The speakers met with each group of Girl Scouts to
answer questions regarding their careers. A poster session accompanied this activity. The
Scouts were given a list of questions that they had to answer about the posters. This elicited
further discussions about careers available in science. The posters were created as a servicelearning project by students from the University of Detroit Mercy. Sspeakers for the career program were:
Victoria Hornick-Rosinski, Chemistry Teacher, Cabrini HS
Hulya Ahmed, Chemist, BASF Corporation
Denise Glassmeyer, Patent Attorney , Young & Basile, P.C.
Barbara Radecki, Adjunct Faculty, Wayne County CC
The last activity for the day was hands-on experiments which emphasized the importance of chemistry to our quality of life. While the girls are having fun creating substances like
Gluep and Slime, they were also learning about the importance of polymers. An experiment
that used dry ice helped to explain properties of matter. In all, ten experiments were organized
by Denise Grimsley (BASF Corp) and Megan Klein (Ash Stevens Corp).
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Special thanks go to Mary Kay Heidtke (Magni Industries, Inc.), and Caroline Feathers
(Girl Scouts of Southeastern Michigan) for acting as the lead organizers to bring the two groups
together.
Third Tuesday of Every Month: Brewing Chemistry. Please
see http://brewingchemistry.com for information on upcoming
events.
Permit No. 27
Second Tuesday of the Month: Detroit Section Exec. Committee Mtg – held at Lawrence Tech 7:00 PM.
Non-Profit Org.
U.S. Postage
PAID
Royal Oak, MI
Calendar of Upcoming Events
January 13: January Exec. Committee mtg
January 20: Brewing Chemistry at TJ &S
January 22: CERM planning meeting, p 8
January 29: Talk by M. Benvenuto, p 3
February 10: February Exec. Comm. mtg
February 17: Brewing Chemistry at TJ &S March 10: March
Exec. Committee mtg
March 11: Science & Engineering Fair, p 7/8
March 19: USNCO Exam, p 9
Section Officers for 2015
1
Meet the new Chair/Search for Editor
2
January Section Meeting
3
Brewing Chemistry Science Cafe
4
Megan Klein, Thank You
5
Getting involved; electronic delivery
6
Request for nominations/Sci. Fair
7
Planning for 2017 Regional Meeting
8
Chemistry Olympiad Exam
9
Calendar of Events
10
Chemistry Day - Girl Scouts
11
Attn: Dated Material
Page
Detroit Section ACS
1560 Beaver St.
Dearborn, MI 48128-1475
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