SOUTHWEST RETORT
SEVENTY-FOURTH YEAR
February 2022
Published for the advancement of Chemists, Chemical Engineers and Chemistry in this area published by The Dallas-Fort Worth Section, with the cooperation of five other local sections of the American Chemical Society in the Southwest Region.
Vol. 74(6) February 2022 Editorial and Business Offices: Contact the Editor for subscription and advertisement information. Editor: Connie Hendrickson: retort@acsdfw.org Copy and Layout Editor: Lance Hughes: hugla64@gmail.com Business Manager: Martha Gilchrist: Martha.Gilchrist@tccd.edu The Southwest Retort is published monthly, September through May, by the Dallas-Ft. Worth Section of the American Chemical Society, Inc., for the ACS Sections of the Southwest Region.
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TABLE OF CONTENTS Fifty Years Ago………………………….......5 ARTICLES and COLUMNS Letter from the Editor…..…..……..............21 NEWS SHORTS An Insulin Patch that Sticks Inside a Person’s Cheek…………………………………..6
3D Printers Create Custom Foods…...…….8 Sewer Slime can Hang on to SARS-CoV-2 RNA from Wastewater…….....………..…..10 Why Some Stony Coral Species are Better at Surviving Ocean Acidification.…………....12 A Bioelectronic Tongue ‘Tastes’ Sweetness.13 Camels’ Noses Inspire a New Humidity Sensor…………………………………………...16 Quick COVID Breathalyzer could Allow Mass Screening in Public Places…………..18
Contact the DFW Section General: info@acsdfw.org Education: ncw@acsdfw.org Elections: candidates@acsdfw.org Facebook: DFWACS Twitter: acsdfw
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ACS and SECTION NEWS Call for Awards Nominations…………...…11 Chemistry Olympiad………….……….14-15 Meeting-in-Miniature……………………..17 In Memorium John Maguire………...…...20 AROUND THE AREA UT Arlington……………………………….19 INDEX OF ADVERTISERS Huffman Laboratories……………..…........3 TMJ Data Entry and Editing.………......…3 ANA-LAB…………………………...….…..4 Positions Available……………….....3, 5, 21
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Fifty Years Ago in the Southwest Retort The March ACS tour speakers will be Dr. Wolfgang H. Vogel of Thomas Jefferson University speaking on “Is There a Chemical Basis of the Mind” and Dr. Philip H. West of LSU lecturing on “Toxic and Carcinogenic Compounds in our Environment.” In the Texas A&M ACS Section, Dr. F. Albert Cotton has arrived on campus to take up his appointment as the new Welch Professor. He comes to A&M after seventeen years at MIT. At UT-Austin in the Central Texas ACS Section, Welch Professor Michael J. S. Dewar gave a series of Phi Lambda Upsilon lectures on molecular orbital theory at Johns Hopkins University. Dr. W. Adcock on sabbatical leave from Flinders University in Australia has joined Prof. Dewar’s group. Dr. Allen J. Bard attended the Gordon Research Conference in Santa Barbara CA Jan. 10-14. At Southwest Texas State Dr. Patrick Cassidy attended a Santa Barbara Gordon Conference Jan. 24-28. Compiled by E. Thomas Strom
gional Meeting in San Antonio. Faculty member Dr. C. T. Skinner is a coauthor of two recent textbooks on analytical chemistry. At UT-Arlington Drs. Edward Bellion and Andrew Ternay recently received Welch grants, as did UNT faculty members Drs. Robert Desiderato, James Marshall, and R. W. Gracy. At the Mobil Field Research Laboratory Dr. E. Thomas Strom recently attended a Varian course in Palo Alto on Electron Nuclear Double Resonance (ENDOR) and Electron Electron Double Resonance (ELDOR). The East Texas ACS local section recently completed its first year of operation. The Section thanks C. H. Whiteside for serving as Chair for this first year. Dr. C. E. Rodriguez of East Texas State University will be the speaker at the section’s March meeting in Longview. The following have been elected as officers this year at the Heart O’ Texas ACS Section: Chair, Robert D. Krienke, Texas State Technical Institute; Chair-Elect, A. G. Pinkus, Baylor; Councilors, Malcolm Dole and Thomas C. Franklin, Baylor; Secretary-Treasurer, Leona Cockrell. Dr. Dole was the guest speaker at a recent meeting of the Ouachita Valley ACS local section held at Northeast Louisiana University. At the University of Arkansas ACS section, the seminar program for the semester was initiated by speakers Mary L Good of LSU and T. Neal Waters of the University of Auckland, New Zealand.
In the DFW ACS Section, Drs. Edward Biehl and Perry Reeves of SMU presented papers at the recent ACS Southwest ReFebruary 2022
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From the ACS Press Room
An Insulin Patch that Sticks Inside a Person’s Cheek “Photothermal Activatable Mucoadhesive Fiber Mats for On-Demand Delivery of Insulin via Buccal and Corneal Mucosa” ACS Applied Bio Materials Managing blood sugar levels requires roundthe-clock attention for people diagnosed with diabetes. A more healthful diet and increased physical activity can help, but many with the condition also need to take regular shots of insulin — the primary hormone that regulates sugar. To deliver this drug in a less invasive way, researchers in ACS Applied Bio Materials now report a prototype insulin-loaded patch that comfortably sticks to the inside of a person’s cheek.
According to the American Diabetes Association, approximately 6 million Americans use insulin to help control their diabetes, either because their bodies don’t make the hormone (Type 1) or don’t respond well to what they do make (Type 2). People primarily take insulin by injecting themselves with pens or syringes, or they have semi-permanent pumps
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implanted. These methods are invasive and uncomfortable, and they require safe needle or biohazard disposal and sterile conditions. Researchers have explored other ways to deliver insulin through the skin, such as gel-like lotions. But the skin is too good of a barrier, and drugs move into the body slowly. In contrast, the membrane lining the inside of the mouth is very thin, about one quarter the thickness of skin, making it a potential place for drugs to easily enter the bloodstream. So, Sabine Szunerits and colleagues wanted to see if a material they had previously developed — a polymer fiber mat that is activated by heat to release drugs — could attach to the cheek’s lining and deliver insulin. The researchers first soaked small squares of a nanofiber mat, made from electrospun fibers of poly(acrylic acid), β-cyclodextrin and reduced graphene oxide, in a solution with insulin for three hours. Then the team applied the insulin-loaded patches onto cheek linings and corneas from pigs. Heating the material with a near-infrared laser for 10 minutes to 122F activated the material and released insulin into the two types of membranes several times faster than through skin. In addition, the researchers placed the patches in vivo inside the cheeks of three insulin-dependent pigs. The cheek linings showed no irritation or visual changes from the laser’s heat. As soon as the material was activated, the pigs’ blood sugar levels declined. Simultaneously, the animals’ plasma insulin levels increased, which the researchers say is proof-of-concept that this preliminary platform is efficient at
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getting insulin into the bloodstream. Finally, six human volunteers placed a placebo version of the patch inside their cheeks, saying that it felt comfortable over a twohour period. The researchers say their next step is to conduct further preclinical studies of the prototype on animal models.
The authors acknowledge funding from Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique (CNRS) of France, the University of Lille, the i-SITE foundation of the University of Lille, the Hauts-de-France region, the CPER “Photonics for Society” and the European Union’s Horizon 2020 Research and Innovation Staff Exchange (RISE) Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions..
2021 DFW Section Officers Chair: Trey Putnam Chair-elect: Mihaela C. Stefan Past Chair: Mihaela C. Stefan
Treasurer: Martha Gilchrist Secretary: Heidi Conrad Councilors: Mary Anderson, Linda Schultz, E. Thomas Strom, and Jason McAfee Alternate Councilors: Michael Bigwood, John McIlroy, Daniela Hutanu, and Danny Tran
POSITIONS AVAILABLE Texas Christian University (Fort Worth, TX) is looking to hire several adjuncts to supervise General Chemistry Labs in Spring 2022. Ph.D. preferred, M.S. or Ph.D. in progress will be considered. Post-docs looking for teaching experience or retired teachers are encouraged to apply.
Send your resume to kayla.green@tcu.edu
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From the ACS Press Room
3D Printers Create Custom Foods “3D Printed Foods Enter the Kitchen”
cause foods’ properties aren’t always linear, and small fluctuations in temperature can Chemical & Engineering News completely change how edible ingredients Used primarily to make customized machine flow. Pastes, such as chocolate frosting or parts, medical implants, knickknacks and peanut butter, are the easiest to work with, other plastic objects, 3D printers are now but researchers are also exploring other food branching out into the kitchen, promising materials, including powders, solids, liquids new flavors, shapes and textures that could and gels. someday delight the most discriminating Customizable cuisine and personalized nutrifoodies. A feature article in Chemical & En- tion are now within reach. For example, regineering News, an independent news outlet searchers at the U.S. Department of Deof the American Chemical Society, describes fense’s Combat Feeding Directorate, which how 3D printers are serving up custom edi- develops military rations for the U.S. Armed bles. The story was produced in collaboration Forces, are working on 3-D printed nutrient bars tailored to the individual needs of solwith ACS Central Science. diers under different conditions. Meanwhile, researchers at Columbia University have made a slice of cheesecake with an elaborate internal structure that releases flavors in waves. And a company called Redefine Meat is trying to reproduce the structure, texture and flavor of beef steaks by 3D printing plant -based fibers. Within the next 15 years, 3D printers could have a prominent place in the kitchen next to the toaster or microwave, experts say.
3D printers build programmed shapes layerby-layer, depositing materials (usually plastics) through a nozzle onto a surface, writes freelance contributor Alla Katsnelson. In recent years, researchers have been adapting the software and hardware to print foods instead of plastics. They face challenges beFebruary 2022
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Now accepting applications for fall 2022 Ph.D Program The Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry at the University of Texas at Dallas is now accepting applications for the fall 2022 Ph.D. program. We have 24 tenuretrack research active faculty, 8 professors of instruction, and 120 graduate students. The Ph.D. program focuses on innovation and problem-solving in interdisciplinary, cutting-edge research areas such as organic and inorganic materials, nanotechnology, biochemistry, and polymer chemistry, preparing graduates with the following skills: •
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Scientific writing and communication • Career guidance and networking opportunities We can waive the application fee based on requests from graduate student applicants. https://chemistry.utdallas.edu/research-faculty/ https://graduate-admissions.utdallas.edu/steps-to-admission/apply-now/ Scan for answers to FAQ and an Application Link! •
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From the ACS Press Room Sewer Slime can Hang on to SARS-CoV-2 RNA from Wastewater “Accumulation of SARS-CoV‑2 RNA in of low and high COVID-19 incidence. Sewer Biofilms” To grow a simulated sewer slime, the researchers continuously pumped raw ACS ES&T Water wastewater into a cylindrical tank with reDuring the COVID-19 pandemic, monitoring movable pieces of polyvinyl chloride (PVC) the levels of SARS-CoV-2 RNA in inside. They conducted two 28-day experiwastewater entering treatment plants has ments, removing PVC plates every few days been one way that researchers have gauged to assess the biofilm’s composition. Then the the disease’s spread. But could the slimy mi- team used the method called reverse trancrobial communities that line most sewer scription quantitative polymerase chain reacpipes affect the viral RNA they encounter? In tion to measure the abundance of SARS-CoV a first-of-its-kind study, researchers report -2 RNA and pepper mottle virus (an indicator in ACS ES&T Water that sewer slime can of human feces) RNA in the untreated accumulate SARS-CoV-2 RNA, which could wastewater and the biofilms. decompose or slough off later, potentially imIn August and pacting the accuracy of wastewater epidemiSeptember ology studies. 2020, the levels of SARSAs the water and sludge from people’s homes CoV-2 RNA converge in sewers, some of the solids settle were too low out, and gooey microbial biofilms build up to accurately within the pipes. Previous researchers have measure in shown that RNA viruses, such as poliovirus, both the simuenteroviruses and noroviruses, can get trapped and collect in this slime. Yet whether lated sewer slime and the wastewater from the sticky material can also accumulate which it grew. These results align with a low SARS-CoV-2 viral particles or RNA from incidence of COVID-19 infections at that time, the researchers say. Then, during Nowastewater is unknown. Nicole Fahrenfeld vember and December 2020, although SARS and colleagues previously detected the vi-CoV-2’s presence in the wastewater itself rus’s RNA in sewer deposits from a universiwas still low, its RNA levels increased in the ty dormitory with a low number of COVIDslime. The amount of pepper mottle virus 19 cases, but the amount was too low to ac- RNA plateaued within the first week of curately assess. So, the team wanted to see if growth, indicating that the rise of SARS-CoV biofilms could incorporate SARS-CoV-2 Continued on Page 21 RNA from untreated wastewater during times February 2022
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The Doherty Award is given for excellence in chemical research or chemistry teaching, meritorious service to ACS, new chemical methodology (for the industry), solution of pollution problems, and advances in curative or preventive chemotherapy. Nominees may come from industry, academia, government, or small business. The nominee should be a resident member in the area served by the ACS DFW Local Section, and the work should have been performed here. The award is $1500 and an engraved plaque. The Schulz Award is given to high school chemistry teachers, who, like the late Dr. Werner Schulz, bring that something extra to the teaching of chemistry. The nominee and/or nominator need not be ACS members. Nominees should show excellence in chemistry teaching, as demonstrated by testimonials from students and fellow teachers, results in student competitions, and diligence in updating and expanding scientific/ teaching credentials. The award is $1500 and an engraved plaque. The DFW Section instituted the Chemistry Ambassador Award to recognize an outstanding Section member who has made a significant impact by promoting chemistry to the community. The 2022 Chemistry Ambassador of the Year award is based on peer or self-nominations to the selection committee. Submissions should be one page in length and address the community outreach activities either through teaching, service, or working with legislators to affect public policy. Submissions will be evaluated on the impact made, which may include but not limited to how many people were reached, impact on individual people in the community, and exemplary commitment to the promotion of chemistry in the community. The award is $1000. Each nomination should contain a completed nomination form, a cover letter highlighting the nominee’s accomplishments, and a copy of the CV. One or two additional letters may accompany nominations. The nomination package should be sent by email as a single pdf file Dr. Gabriele Meloni at gabriele.meloni@utdallas.edu. Nominations remain active for five years but should be updated annually. The deadline is May 01, 2022
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From the ACS Press Room
Why Some Stony Coral Species are Better at Surviving Ocean Acidification “Faster Crystallization during Coral Skele- partly exposed to seawater, the ECF also acidton Formation Correlates with Resilience ifies to some degree when seawater pH declines. That would interfere with to Ocean Acidification” CaCO3 formation and deposition, and kill corJournal of the American Chemical Society als that are most sensitive to a drop in pH, acHard corals grow by generating calcium car- cording to Pupa U. P. A. Gilbert and colbonate (CaCO3) from seawater and adding it leagues. If, instead, nucleation and growth of to their skeletons, where it crystallizes. This CaCO3 particles occur in intracellular comprocess — and coral survival — are threat- partments protected from seawater and the ened by ocean acidification. However, scien- ECF — as Gilbert’s group had recently hytists report in the Journal of the American pothesized — then even sensitive species Chemical Society that corals produce the could have a chance at surviving acidification, CaCO3 in compartments protected from sea- as long as the pH doesn’t go too low. The rewater and not, as previously believed, in ex- searchers decided to settle this question. posed locations. The findings, and differing In coral samples, the team detected amorcrystallization rates, could explain why phous CaCO particles in a layer of cells that 3 some species are more resilient to this lie above the ECF. This finding is consistent threat. with the growth of the particles inside closed Stony corals extract calcium and carbonate ions from seawater to make CaCO3, which is then attached to the growing skeleton in the form of amorphous particles that gradually harden into the lesssoluble “aragonite” crystal structure. Conventional wisdom holds that the particles form and grow in a 2-micron-thick layer of liquid on the skeleton surface known as the extracellular calcifying fluid (ECF). Because of photosynthesis by symbiotic organisms in the coral, the ECF’s pH rises in the daytime and then drops again each night. Normally, that wouldn’t be a problem, but because it is February 2022
vesicles — or tiny sacs — within these cells, the researchers say. That means the particles are formed safely away from seawater and not in the ECF. However, once attached to the growing skeleton surface, they’re exposed to the ECF, where they’re at risk of dissolving before they crystallize. The team found that crystallization rates vary significantly across species. For instance, the freshly added CaCO3 crystallizes more quickly, and therefore remains soluble for a shorter time, in Stylophora pistillata, a species known to be less vulnerable to ocean acidification. The authors acknowledge funding from the U.S. Department of Energy, U.S. National Science Foundation and the European Research Council.
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From the ACS Press Room A Bioelectronic Tongue ‘Tastes’ Sweetness “Ultrasensitive Bioelectronic Tongue Based on the Venus Flytrap Domain of a Human Sweet Taste Receptor”
ACS Applied Materials & Interfaces
ceptor. So, these researchers wanted to apply the same concept to make a sweet-sensing bioelectronic tongue, using the Venus flytrap domain as electronic taste buds.
Candy, cookies, juices. Just about everyone The researchers attached copies of the Venus likes sweet treats, but what one person thinks flytrap domain that were made by bacteria in a thin layer on tastes too sugary, another might think is just a gold elecright. This variability makes it challenging to trode. They develop new foods and beverages, so compathen connectnies have sought a more objective method. ed multiple Now, researchers reporting in ACS Applied gold elecMaterials & Interfaces have developed an trodes together ultrasensitive bioelectronic tongue that with carbon measures sweetness by mimicking human nanotubes, taste buds. making a field Although human sensory panels are the most -effect transistor device. common way to analyze a substance’s taste, When soluthere can be a lot of differences in how peotions of natuple perceive flavors. To get more objective rally sweet sudata, researchers have made bioelectronic crose or of the tongues in the lab, but they either are compliartificial cated to manufacture or can’t fully replicate sweetener sacthe way the human tongue works. Human tongues have sweet taste receptors with two charin were applied to the device, the current large, complex structures that bind to com- decreased. The sensor responded to these sopounds such as sugars. The outermost portion lutions down to the 0.1 femtomolar level, of one of these structures is called the Venus which is 10 million times more sensitive than flytrap domain because its hinged, two-lobed previous bioelectronic sweet sensors, the remolecular structure resembles the leaves of searchers say. The device could also consistthe insectivorous plant that close around its ently measure the sweetness of real drinks, prey. This domain interacts with most of the such as apple juice and sucrose-sweetened chamomile tea, but it did not show a response sweet substances a person consumes. In a when cellobiose (a tasteless sugar) or monoprevious study, Tai Hyun Park, Seunghun sodium glutamate (a salt known as MSG) Hong and colleagues made an umami sensor were introduced. Because the bioelectronic with human-like performance by using just Continued on page 21 the protein at the end of the umami taste reFebruary 2022
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From the ACS Press Room
Camels’ Noses Inspire a New Humidity Sensor "A Camel Nose-Inspired Highly Durable is lined with water-absorbing mucus. To mimNeuromorphic Humidity Sensor with Water ic the high-surface-area structure within the Source Locating Capability nose, the team created a porous polymer network. On it, they placed moisture-attracting ACS Nano molecules called zwitterions to simulate the Camels have a renowned ability to survive property of mucus to change capacitance as on little water. They are also adept at finding humidity varies. In experiments, the device something to drink in the vast desert, using was durable and could monitor fluctuations in noses that are exquisite moisture detectors. humidity in hot industrial exhaust, find the In a new study in ACS Nano, researchers location of a water source and sense moisture describe a humidity sensor inspired by the emanating from the human body. Not only did structure and properties of camels’ noses. In the sensor respond to changes in a person’s experiments, they found this device could skin perspiration as they exercised, it detected reliably detect variations in humidity in set- the presence of a human finger and could tings that included industrial exhaust and the even follow its path in a V or L shape. This air surrounding human skin. sensitivity suggests that the device could become the baHumans sometimes need to determine the sis for a touchless interface presence of moisture in the air, but people through which someone aren’t quite as skilled as camels at sensing could communicate with a water with their noses. Instead, people must computer, according to the use devices to locate water in arid environresearchers. What’s ments, or to identify leaks or analyze exmore, the sensor’s haust in industrial facilities. However, curelectrical response to rently available sensors all have significant moisture can be tuned drawbacks. Some devices may be durable, or adjusted, much like for example, but have a low sensitivity to the signals sent out by the presence of water. Meanwhile, sunlight can interfere with some highly sensitive de- human neurons — potentially allowing it to tectors, making them difficult to use out- learn via artificial intelligence, they say. doors, for example. To devise a durable, in- The authors acknowledge funding from the telligent sensor that can detect even low lev- Fujian Science and Technology Innovation els of airborne water molecules, Weiguo Laboratory for Optoelectronic Information of Huang, Jian Song, and their colleagues China, Fujian Institute of Research on the looked to camels’ noses. Structure of Matter, Chinese Academy of SciNarrow, scroll-like passages within a cam- ences, the Natural Science Foundation of Fuel’s nose create a large surface area, which jian Province, and the National Natural Science Foundation of China. February 2022
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From the ACS Press Room
Quick COVID Breathalyzer could Allow Mass Screening in Public Places “Noninvasive and Point-of-Care Surface -Enhanced Raman Scattering (SERS)Based Breathalyzer for Mass Screening of Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID19) under 5 Min” ACS Nano According to experts, bringing an end to the pandemic will require rapid screening of people attending large gatherings, such as conferences and weddings. Even those who are asymptomatic can still transmit COVID-19 to others, making it important to identify and isolate them until they are no longer contagious. Now, researchers reporting in ACS Nano have developed a prototype “breathalyzer” that can sensitively and accurately diagnose COVID19, even in asymptomatic individuals, in less than 5 minutes. Currently, the “gold standard” for COVID-19 testing is a technique called reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RTPCR), which is slow, requires an uncomfortable nasopharyngeal swab for sample collection and must be performed in a lab. The rapid antigen test is much quicker but has a higher rate of false negatives and positives. Scientists have also developed February 2022
breathalyzer-type tests for COVID-19, which rely on differences in concentrations of volatile organic compounds exhaled by those infected with the coronavirus, but most require bulky, nonportable instruments for analysis. Xing Yi Ling and colleagues wanted to develop a quick, convenient and accurate breathalyzer test that would be suitable for on-site screening of large numbers of people. The researchers designed a handheld breathalyzer that contains a chip with three surfaceenhanced Raman scattering (SERS) sensors attached to silver nanocubes. When a person exhales into the device for 10 seconds, compounds in their breath chemically interact with the sensors. Then, the researchers load the breathalyzer into a portable Raman spectrometer that characterizes the bound compounds based on changes to the molecular vibrations of the SERS sensors.
The team found that Raman spectra from COVID-positive and -negative people were different in regions responsive to ketones, alcohols and aldehydes, which they used to develop a statistical model for COVID diagnosis. They tested the breathalyzer on 501 people in hospitals and airports in Singapore, who were shown by RT-PCR to be negative (85.2%), positive and symptomatic (8.6%), or positive and asymptomatic (6.2%) for the coronavirus. The method had a 3.8% falsenegative and 0.1% false-positive rate, comparable to RT-PCR tests, but it could be completed on-site in less than 5 minutes. The
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From the ACS Press Room
Around the Area
breathalyzer could someday be a new tool to reduce the silent spread of COVID-19 in communities, the researchers say. The authors acknowledge funding from the National Medical Research Council, Singapore, A*STAR Singapore, the Max Planck Institute-Nanyang Technological University Joint Lab and Nanyang Technological University. UT Arlington Dr. Carl Lovely recently became the Chair of the Chemistry Department. The previous Chair for the past six years, Prof. Fred MacDonnell, has stepped down to focus on research and teaching. Drs. Daniel Armstrong, Purnendu (Sandy) Dasgupta, and Kevin Schug were named among the top 100 most influential scientists in the world by The Analytical Scientist magazine in its annual Power List. Dr. Schug has received a three year $325,702 grant from NSF to develop methods to make automated chemical analysis more accessible to global industries. Dr. Krishnan Rajeshwar is a co-investigator on a three year $800,000 NSF grant to investigate new functional materials for semiconductors and energy applications. Dr. Kayunta Johnson-Winters has been appointed to the Nominating Committee of the American Society for Biochemistry and Molecular Biology.
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In Memorium John A Maguire II 1936-2022 Dr. John A. Maguire II, father, grandfather, husband, mentor, teacher, scholar, and friend, passed away peacefully at his home in Allen, Texas on January 26, 2022 after a prolonged illness. John was born on November 5, 1936 in Montgomery, Alabama to Mattie and John "Jack" Maguire. He was the middle child, having an older sister and younger brother. After completing his undergraduate degree in Chemistry from Birmingham Southern University, he earned his Ph.D. in Chemistry from Northwestern University. Following graduation in 1963, he moved to Dallas, Texas and joined the faculty of Southern Methodist University (SMU), the only employer John ever had known. During his nearly 50 years of teaching, John positively impacted hundreds of students, many of whom went on to become scientists, doctors and educators. John served as Associate Dean of what was then SMU's University College from 1976-1979 and as Dean from 1979-1980. He was also Dean for General Education in Dedman College from 1980-1981 and Interim Associate Dean for Academic Affairs in fall 1984. He served as acting chair of the Chemistry Department from 2000-2001 and as chair in 2008. Professor Maguire was honored with the University Distinguished Teaching Professor Award and Perrine Prize from the SMU chapter of Phi Beta Kappa. His major research focus was on structural and bonding studies of metallacarboranes and their application to nanomaterials, publishing 180 peer-reviewed articles and presenting papers at both national and international conferences. He retired in 2012 as Professor Emeritus of Chemistry. In addition to being a dedicated teacher and scholar, John was an avid reader, student of history, and lover of opera, classical, and jazz. He appreciated a good glass of wine or a scotch on the rocks. John was preceded in death by his wife of 35 year, Carolyn "Lynn" Baxter, sister Miriam Myers (Al), and brother Bill (Linda). He is survived by his son, John III, his wife Lori, and their two daughters, Mattie and Mary; daughter Christine and her husband Don Hastings; and daughter Katheryn, her husband Ron Kumon, and their child Katelyn. A celebration of his life is being planned for summer 2022. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions can be made to the John Maguire Graduate Fund by visiting SMU's giving page,
https://link.smu.edu/giving/GiveNow. Please use the Search function by typing "Maguire". The John Maguire Graduate Fund is the correct designation for memorial contributions in his honor.
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From the ACS Press Room
“Bioelectric Tongue” Continued from page 13 tongue was both sensitive and selective for sweet-tasting compounds, the researchers say this could be a powerful tool for the health care, pharmaceutical, and food and drink industries. The authors acknowledge funding from the National Research Foundation (NRF) of Korea, the Ministry of Science and ICT (MSIT) of Korea, the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy (MOTIE) of Korea, Samsung Electronics, the European Research Council (ERC) within the European Union’s Horizon 2020 programme, and the Korea Institute of Science and Technology (KIST) Institutional Program.
“Sewer Slime can hold on to SARS-CoV-2 RNA” Continued from page 10 -2 RNA in the biofilm wasn’t because of a boost in fecal volume. Rather, this change reflected the higher number of diagnosed COVID-19 cases in late fall. It’s still too early to know exactly how these biofilms impact wastewater epidemiology studies, since other factors need to be assessed first, say the researchers. For example, the RNA could get broken down, or it could be released into wastewater later on when the biofilms break apart.
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Title: Lecturer of Chemistry Employer/Institution: University of North Texas Salary: Competitive salary & benefits Location: Denton, TX The Department of Chemistry at UNT invites applications for a full-time, non-tenure track faculty position at the rank of Lecturer or, to begin in August 2022. Applicants should have a Ph.D. in Chemistry or a related field and some teaching experience. Primary duties for the position will be in our high-enrollment General Chemistry and/ or Organic Chemistry courses, which serve as important gateway courses for students in STEM majors and have a major impact on students’ ability to attain their educational goals. The University of North Texas (UNT) is a Carnegie R1 research university and a federally designated Hispanic-Serving Institution and MinorityServing Institution, with a diverse population of over 40,000 students. The selected candidate will have opportunities to interact with many established programs on campus that focus on chemistry and science education, including the Teach North Texas (TNT) teacher training program and the Texas Academy of Mathematics & Science (a residential magnet high school for high achievers). For additional information and to apply for the position, visit our job application website at http://jobs.untsystem.edu and search for Posting Number F735P (Lecturer). Applicants should submit a cover letter, curriculum vitae, statement of teaching philosophy, and a diversity statement. In addition, please supply names and contact information for three professional references, and arrange for three reference letters to be emailed to chemjobs@unt.edu with “Lecturer” in the email subject line. Evaluation of applications will begin on February 20, 2022 and will continue until the position has been filled.
UNT is an Affirmative Action/Equal Opportunity/ Veteran/ADA Employer. The UNT Chemistry Department is dedicated to creating a climate that values diversity, equity, and inclusion, and we welcome applications from people of color, women, and LGBTQ+ individuals.
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From the Editor The spring semester is always a livelier season than the holidays; we’re looking at the following activities already, with their deadlines: Virtual Meeting-in-Miniature
April 23
Call for nominations for the Doherty , Schulz, and Chemistry Ambassador awards May 1 Local qualifying exam for the National Chemistry Olympiad
March 26
Best press release?—no contest! Camel noses! For an interesting break, google “camel noses photos”. The discovery that sewer slime can accumulate SARS-CoV-2 RNA is not totally unexpected: researchers have previously shown that RNA viruses, such as poliovirus, enteroviruses and noroviruses, can get trapped and collect in this slime. As waste materials converge in sewers, gooey microbial biofilms build up within the pipes on settled-out solids. The viruses collect in those biofilms. The next question: how do we get rid of it? Getting rid of or breaking biofilms is a problem, as they are extremely self-sufficient, if that is an appropriate descriptor. I think the answer will lie in surfactant treatment.
So, submit a nomination for an award. Have your high schoolers take the qualifying exam. Have your research students participate in the Meeting-in-Miniature...it won’t be as much fun as in-person M-i-Ms (no pizza, no snacks) but on the other hand, the judges won’t be able to pin you as easily!
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