Alambicco, distilled news about chemistry and the society

Submitted by Alambicco on Tue, 02/28/2012 - 11:41

The chemistry community of the University of Turin (Italy) has seen an opportunity in the International Year of Chemistry to try an experiment in science communication specifically focused on chemical sciences.
Chemistry fills quite a negative place in the collective imagination as it is often associated with environmental damages, pollution, toxic substances, etc. Common people rarely realize that chemistry plays a role in every aspect of daily life, somehow or other, and that a life without chemistry would not be possible.

Laser, light of our time

Submitted by rociobv on Mon, 02/27/2012 - 19:08

In 1960 Theodore Maiman succeeded in the first experimental demonstration of the laser. Fifty years later it is difficult to figure out a scientific discipline that does not involve a laser or a day without any laser-based devices. The aim of this project was the development of an outreach book about lasers to increase the interest for science among students and the general public. Two thousand copies were distributed in universities, schools and libraries and now it is available to be freely downloaded.

I National Competition of Crystallization in the School

Submitted by alfonsogc on Mon, 02/27/2012 - 11:11

The I National Competition of Crystallization in the School (http://www.lec.csic.es/concurso/) is a contest on crystallography and crystallization for young pupils that has been carried out among 20 secondary schools across 7 provinces (Granada, Cadiz and Malaga, Gerona, Oviedo, Murcia and Zaragoza) of 5 different regions (Andalusia, Catalonia, Asturias, Murcia and Aragon) throughout Spain.

On Thursday of Science

Submitted by jueves_ciencia on Fri, 02/17/2012 - 11:16

“Los Jueves de la Ciencia” / “On Thursday of Science”
Centro Asociado of the UNED in Guadalajara

http://www.uned.es/ca-guadalajara/jueves.ciencia.12.htm
jueves_ciencia@guadalajara.uned.es

Clarity of purpose

Graphene – Unexpected Science in a Pencil Line

Submitted by aravind on Thu, 02/09/2012 - 19:30

Our hands-on activity aims to convey that cutting-edge science is often hidden in plain sight, and accessible to people of all age groups and backgrounds. This is exemplified nowhere better than with Graphene, the world’s first two dimensional material, which was considered not to exist in a stable form. Graphene was first isolated only in 2004 by Manchester scientists Geim and Novoselov who were awarded the Nobel Prize for their efforts. Our activity allows just about anyone to make their own graphene with nothing more than a piece of graphite (pencil lead) and sticky tape like ‘Scotch’ tape. Indeed, this is identical to the way graphene was first isolated and now produced in high-tech clean room laboratories around the world. With this activity, we endeavour to allow people of all walks of life to experience the latest advances in science, and we reward their efforts with a chocolate Nobel medal!

Wolfram, a folk with chemistry!

Submitted by laure on Mon, 02/06/2012 - 16:13

Chemistry is evil, malicious, nasty and malevolent?

When the word chemistry comes to our minds, automatically we make negative associations as pollution, wastes or toxicity. We believe that this vision is outdated, in modern societies, as the benefits of the chemistry surpass the potential risks that entails. Chemistry can be displayed in an enjoyable and good-humoured way, and it can transmit positive aspects.

An image is worth a thousand words?

ES4FUN

Submitted by JuanMaria on Fri, 02/03/2012 - 12:15

ES4FUN is a Physics-driven innovation platform with the aim of spreading both universal scientific phenomena and concepts in game context, with research high-tech and video+audio clip support. The organized events have multitudinary character, scientific-party-disco atmosphere, and active participation of all the attendants in their results.

EngageU

Physical Science