Imagine how fast you can make pasta!

By using terahertz radiation in free-electron lasers, scientists from the Hamburg Center for Free-Electron Laser Science are able to make water molecules instantly vibrate significantly. This heavy vibration causes the boiling of water. Not only does this cause water to boil, but it causes water to boil in less than a trillionth of a second (trillionth meaning 1,000,000,000,000). Why do I feel like people wouldn't respond well to using radiation to boil water? Radiation and water. Not the best first impression!

Though this method has been created, it has not been physically implemented yet. When it is conducted, scientists expect it to raise the temperature of water by 600 degrees Celsius in a trillionth of a second.

When I read of the capabilities of this new method of heating water, I thought of applications which could help society. Like what if this technology could be used to revolutionize geothermal energy, which is energy that relies on steam to produce an environmental friendly source of electricity? Or what if this technology could be used on large amounts of water in desalination plants to purify water in communities across the world?

Then I read this method can only be used on a nanoliter at a time. Only one nanoliter. Are you kidding? Is there some way we could disregard the "nano-" prefix? Can't even warm enough water for a bath tub... or a cup of hot chocolate....or even a spoon of hot chocolate....

Still there is promise for the use of this water in chemical reactions since water is a reagent which plays a dynamic role in chemical and biological reactions in starting the reactions and forming compounds. Scientists hope this technology will prove to be vital in further observing thermal reactions and how other substances dissolve in water. Read more in the article: http://www.chemistrytimes.com/research/Ultrafast_heating_of_water_--_This_pot_boils_faster_than_you_can_watch_it.asp

It's interesting to think of how a basic knowledge of the states of matter leads to discoveries such as this! For simply if you add energy or heat in the form of wavelengths, particles of a substance, in this case water, will move faster. This translates to an increase in temperature and thus the boiling water.  Though this discovery can only heat a nanoliter of water (yes I know, the amount of disappointment is overwhelming) maybe one day this method of heating water can be used on a much larger scale. Please, anything bigger than a measly nanoliter! Thus let's all eagerly wait for the day when we can finally make pasta in a trillionth of a second! If only a nanoliter worth of pasta was big enough for a meal...

Limited supply? Pft who cares?

     Can you name any elements that play significant roles in the success of this current time period known as the silicon age? If you guessed iron, tin, copper, steel, potassium, and any other common element, you're wrong. An article recently published highlights all of the uncommon elements such as yttrium, neodymium, europium, terbium, dysprosium, gallium, indium and tellurium which have become essential in making environmental friendly technology in the modern age. No, I didn't just hit random keys on the keyboard; these are actual elements! Though these elements once were the metaphorical neglected children of the periodic table, these elements are know referred to by U.S. Department of Energy as "critical materials." As their original names drew no interest, hopefully this new classification can!

Now you may be thinking "Yes! Where are these heroic elements that can save our environment!?"

Ready for your hopes and dreams to be crushed? The answer is: China. And Bolivia. Great. Awesome. Not really...

This explains much of the recent controversy and focus on sources of these "critical materials" around the world. For after all, the threat of polluting the Earth and destroying it through our own actions is not motivating enough to encourage establishing mineral supply facilities. But of course when other nations hear China is in control, then people start turning their heads. While all nations could come together and help each other in these endeavors to save the environment, no, they decide to behave like toddlers who can't share their toys. Mankind at its finest!

Though critical materials are fairly common compared to other commonly sought after elements, the many supplies were occupied by China. Yes, rare earths are common! But now China controls all of the sources, so now they're not so common... With valuable land in the Andes Mountains, Bolivia is trying to rise as a global trade partner with its copious stores of lithium. Lithium qualities as an alkali make it ideal for storing electricity. With many sources occupied by these two nations, other nations such as Japan and the United States are looking to locating and reopening other sources of these valuable elements. Though they may market it as an attempt to save the environment, don't be fooled! It's only attempt to earn international bragging rights. Read more in the article: http://www.scientificamerican.com/article.cfm?id=green-technology-depends-on-metals-with-weird-names

For once, it was nice to read about elements which are mostly unheard of playing a prominent role in our modern society. To most of us, these elements were all nothing more than extra boxes on the decoration known as the periodic table in the chemistry classroom. Many of these elements are in the Lanthanide series. Yes, this is when you truly know these elements are the neglected children of the periodic table, for they're even separated from the majority of elements. Well maybe they're not outcasts, but instead separated due to their greatness! I wonder if they elements in the Lanthanide series have certain qualities which make them valuable materials in environmental friendly technology. How do these electrons in the 4f orbitals contribute properties to the elements that make them valued materials? "The world may never know." Or at least I won't.

Satanic sulfur hexafluoride and other fun stuff

One of the most basic topics (no, that was not a pH pun) introduced to someone learning chemistry is the states of matter. As we know, or I hope you know, the three states of matter are solid, liquid and gas. Solids have a distinct shape, and the particles of each solid are packed uniformly together. For liquids, the particles are spaced out and may flow past each other allowing liquids to take the shape of any container they are in. Gases are spread out much farther than liquids therefore allowing them to occupy an entire container in which they are placed in. One of the things that heavily depends on the states of matter is sound! A common example of this is five-year old children who breathe in helium from balloons to have very high voices. Watch this video by the show, Mythbusters, to explain this trick. As stated in the video, don't try this at home.

     Like Adam states, helium causes your voice to sound high because sound waves are capable of traveling through it much faster due to its lesser density. This effect is reversed when used with sulfur hexafluoride, a very dense gas. Based on this information, most of my childhood makes sense now! You first breathe in the gas, like helium, which is then exhaled as you talk. Sound waves from your vocal cords travel in this exhaled gas which gives the change in the sound. This is also why over time, the effect of the gas wears of as your lungs exhale all of the gas. Imagine if our atmosphere consisted mainly of sulfur hexafluoride! That'd be a scary world. 

       The basics of sound travel are explained on the first page of this article. Ignore the rest of the article, for I do not care whether I can hear sound in space or not. http://science.howstuffworks.com/humans-hear-in-space1.htm   As stated in the article, sound is a form of energy transmitted through a medium. Thus the movement of the disturbance (the thing making the noise) will generate the sound waves which collide with particles of a form of matter, such as gas. These particles of matter such as gas would then collide with each other repeatedly which would transmit the sound across a distance. We hear sound when air particles transmit these sound waves to one another until they finally reach our ear drum. The brain then decodes these vibrations. 

       By studying chemistry, the seemingly simple subject of sound can be explained. From a small age, we know our bodies can generate sound and hear it as well. Though we knew this, we never knew on our own this sound was made possible by the repeated collision of particles transmitting sound to our eardrums. If you did know this on your own, well then you should go find Stephen Hawking because you are a genius. The article uses the example of hearing vibrations by tapping on a table with your head against it. How many times have we done this while having no clue why this was possible. This is why we study chemistry, to have a logical, coherent explanation to the phenomenons of life. I wonder how the speed of sound in hydrogen, the lightest element, compares to the speed of light. So the next time you hear a good song, if you really wanted to be cool, you could say "This collision of air particles is quite enjoyable!"  

Wish upon the supernova. Before it blinds you.

      Yes, another blog post about stars. Well they look cool, and it beats talking about things like fuel cells, so why not! Recently, two supernovae have been discovered by astronomers who are a part of the Supernova Legacy Survey. Though these stars won't blind you, the output of energy from these two supernovae is so immense that astronomers were initially unsure of their classification and location.
       I'm usually blinded by the faint bathroom light when I first wake up in the morning, but these supernovae are one-hundred times brighter than supernovas normally are! A new, recently discovered supernova, SNLS-06D4eu (yes, the amount of thought that must have gone into that name is incredible), is so bright that it falls into the category of superluminous supernovae which are separated from other supernovae due to their luminosity and the absence of hydrogen in their composition. These amazingly bright stars can account their bright lights to their rapid rotations caused by their magnetic field which classify them as magnetars. These magnetars spin hundreds of times per second. As stated in the article,  "Magnetars have the mass of the sun packed into a star the size of a city and have magnetic fields a hundred trillion times that of Earth." Imagine the mass of the sun packed into New York City! The UV rays of light produced by this supernova would not normally be seen by the human eye, but the expansion of the universe stretches these wavelengths allowing them to be seen with out eyes. Imagine the tan we would get from these UV rays if the ozone layer wasn't here to protect us. We'd probably look like burnt french fries! Anyway, this supernova exploded when the universe was only four billion years old. Those were the days. Read more in the article: http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2013/12/131218133835.htm
        The amount of energy which we see as light produced by these supernovae is mind-boggling! In my chemistry class conducted a flame test of a magnesium coil, and this light alone was almost too bright for our eyes. Meanwhile there are supernovae such as these two which are one-hundred times brighter than a normal supernova. No big deal! It's really interesting to me how these supernovae generate this unbelievable amounts of energy by rapidly spinning. I know electrons spin continuously which may partly play a role in the charge of an electron. Therefore I think of these supernovae as giant electrons, and then the amount of energy they produce is really not surprising! I'm genuinely curious as to how the magnetic fields created by continuous revolutions plays a role in the energy created by masses such as these supernovae.

Make a wish. 

This Might Make the Middle East Mad. Oh Well!

      With sources of fossil fuels constantly depleting and transportation of the actual gas becoming complicated (yeah, the irony), it seems like gasoline rising. Of course you can imagine any person's reaction to rising gas prices. If you answered a storm of furious curse words, then yes you are most likely correct! But what if you could make your own gasoline? Researchers at the University of Illinois have taken the first step towards this process as written in this article: http://www.chemistrytimes.com/research/Process_holds_promise_for_production_of_synthetic_gasoline.asp.
      By using a process composed of two catalysts, these researchers were able to convert carbon dioxide into carbon dioxide, the starting substance of gasoline and other fuels. These catalysts are easily made using carbon-based nanofiber materials. A member of this Illinois research group said how most scientists use one catalyst, but he used two catalysts for this process: both an ionic liquid and silver. The problem with this was that silver was too expensive (clearly because gasoline already costs too much). To supplant the silver, this scientists tells of how his research group used carbon based materials doped with nitrogen atoms. So I guess nitrogen atoms are the steroids of elements? Now these scientists look to make more efficient catalysts using atomically-thin nanosheets.
      So try and build off of the progress made by this group of researchers? If you make your own gasoline, you could help save your parents a lot of money and cursing. Make even more and maybe you can rival the gasoline industry in the Middle East!  

Out of this World!

How many times have people looked into the night sky to observe the stars? How many times have you done this and thought of chemistry? Odds are: not many. First of all, it's important to understand the concept of light explained in electromagnetic radiation. Light comes in different wavelengths, and the light we see fall in the area of ROYGBIV (red, orange, yellow, green, blue, indigo, and violet). Different wavelengths correspond to different colors. Many wavelengths can't be seen by the human eye.
       One factor that affects the color of a star is the star's composition in terms of elements. If you have ever conducted a flame test for a metal, you'd know different elements produce different colors when administered heat. Examples are copper producing an emerald green or strontium producing an intense red. Based on the type of a star's light, an astronomer can speculate what element(s) a star is composed of.
        The most important factor in determining the appearance of a star is the surface temperature. Different surface temperatures produce different colors ranging from red to blue with red being the coolest and blue the hottest. This can be seen with a simple Bunsen burner as when you turn on the burner, it is first read. As you add more gas it becomes first a yellow/orange and then a blue which is its hottest form. These heats can change wavelengths of light. Therefore surface temperature also plays a large role in the star's color.
         The last factor involves the Doppler Effect which states distance can extend or contract waves. Due to this, as you go farther away from a star, it begins to appear blue while if you go closer to a star, it begins to look more red. This makes sense considering most of the stars we see from Earth appear blue since we're really far away. Read more in this article: http://www.universetoday.com/75839/why-are-stars-different-colors/
        Finally there's an example of the movement of electrons that's not from a prehistoric chemistry textbook. In chemistry, we learn of the behavior of electrons, and how they're usually found in ground state (the lowest energy level). When heat or energy is introduced, these electrons enter an excited state causing them to move up to higher energy levels. These electrons will eventually return to ground state by losing or releasing energy in the form of light. Therefore these stars must have electrons that are constantly moving to higher and lower energy levels. As one electron goes up to a higher energy level, another must be going to a lower energy level producing light. These electrons will now switch roles. This cycles will continue producing the light which we see of these awesome stars! Now enjoy some supernovas and neutron stars.

Watch out Silicon Valley

For many years, scientists have struggled to create a material which conducted electricity 100%. To create many of these materials, scientists combine tin with fluorine. Tins conductive properties combine with flourine's greater heat resistant properties which create a 100% efficient conductor of electricity, stanene. With its heat resistance at at least 100 degrees Celsius, this new super material is able to operate the temperatures computer chips operate. By keeping the electric charge on the outside of the material or on the surface, the material is perfectly efficient in conducting electricity. Isn't that electrifying!? (buh dum tsss). These super qualities given to this material are made possible by the unorthodox interactions occurring between the electrons and nuclei of atoms. Member of the research team Shoucheng Zhang notes this new material will largely reduce energy consumption and as well as heat produced from computer processes. Zhang also notes possible problems in the meager amounts of tin deposited into the earth annually as well as the delicacy of the material during manufacturing. Still, Zhang believes this stanene could one day rival the role of silicon in the computer industry. Read more in the article: http://www.chemistrytimes.com/research/Will_2-D_tin_be_the_next_super_material.asp

First of all, people should marvel at the fact these scientists are capable of manufacturing a single layer of tin. Such precision must not be easily achieved. Upon reading this article, I really wondered how the electrons behaved in the stanene when administered electricity. I know when metals are heated, light is produced when electrons begin returning to ground state, but I really wonder how this electricity is transferred from one atom to another. Also people must realize how imperative computers are in some areas of life. For example, I instantly think of the stock market in which advanced computers operate at incredible speeds, and this new material could even improve this speed. Also I thought of computers such as IBM's super computer "Watson." If computers such as these or even more advanced computers to become more prevalent in our everyday lives, then materials such as stanene would not only save money and energy, but it would also improve performance. Thanks to our understanding of chemistry, atoms, and the properties of elements, so many possible advancements have risen to the surface of the science world!   

Remember to look at the big picture

        With many advancements over the years since its introduction, the electron microscope has advanced to a point where it uses lasers to record the movement of gaseous molecules. Recently, a group of scientists at Michigan State University have developed a new microscope which allow scientists to observe atoms on an even smaller scale. By creating this technology, scientists now have goals of advancement in nanotechnology and environmental friendly fuel sources. This new microscope observes atoms on a femtosecond (one millionth of a billionth of a second). Forget the nerdy term femtosecond, but just marvel how fast this unit of time must be! Alright back to the matter at hand, by observing on a femtosecond, scientists will be able to observe the stabilization of electrical charges among atoms and their roles in chemical reactions. Chong-Yu Ruan, leader of the team behind this microscope, hopes to be able to observe transformations such as chemical reactions with this microscope. In a smart move, Ruan decided to add components of the microscope in modules so they are inexpensive and can therefore be advanced by other scientists. With this technology, the team will soon be holding a conference to explain the future goals of this area of development.
Read more in the article: http://www.chemistrytimes.com/research/New_microscope_captures_movements_of_atoms_and_molecules.asp
       Since only a module of this microscope costs $500,000, I'm obviously not excited about this microscope because I hope to buy one. There should be excitement for this technology because for once scientists will be able to see first hand the movement of molecules during a chemical reaction. In my chemistry class, we recently conducted two exothermic reactions which yielded impressive results. Though these chemical reactions were interesting, we only saw the reactants and the products. Unfortunately we cannot see what happens in between to create this change from a crystalline mixture to a charred muffin looking substance. With this technology, hopefully scientists can make advancements in our understanding of atoms and how they behave.

Freeze!

Until recently, scientists were forced to look at an extremely cold, conventional gas known as Bose-Einstein condensate with laser imaging referred to as off-laser photons. Not only was this flawed in adding energy to the near absolute zero particles, but it would also destroy the condensate after several images. Even the smallest amount of light could destroy this form of matter. Scientists have recently created an alternative to this off-laser photon method which instead involves making a computer model not only to observe an image but also control it. Due to the matter's frigid temperature, the particles of Bose-Einstein Condensate are very close to one another in a slowly vibrating almost blob. As a result of slow movement created from low temperatures, scientists can easily study atomic processes on a quantum level. By creating this model, scientists have created a filter to remove the heating effect studying the condensate in an entirely new way. Many scientists hope for great benefits to come from studying Bose-Einstein Condensate in the future. Learn more in the article: http://www.livescience.com/41586-seeing-bose-einstein-condensate-new.html

At first, your initial reaction may be, "Why should I care about some scientists being able to look at this gas?" Well when you consider laboratories yielding monumental discoveries greatly involved gases, the importance is obvious. One of the more known examples is the discovery of the electron. JJ Thomson discovered electrons using low pressure gases and electric currents. This would then lead to the discovery of the proton and many other alteration to the atomic model. This article also shows how advancements in technology allow more advancements in science to be made. Above all else, you have to admit these studies also make very cool pictures. 

I feel like we're really beginning to bond.

Yeah, I just wrote that as the title of the post, but there's a topic of greater importance which must be discussed! Recently a chemist at the University of California, Mao-sheng Miao, calculated it is possible not only for valence electrons, but also electrons of inner energy levels to form bonds with electrons of neighboring atoms. Though this greatly disagrees with many conventional chemistry lessons, Miao predicts this could happen with cesium and fluorine under very high pressure. Not only are the appearances of these studied compounds surprising to chemists but also its formation. Miao describes how chemical reactions focus on achieving minimal potential energy which start chemical reactions. This goal of obtaining minimal potential energy occurs at very high pressure and is why these compounds can form and behave in this way. As scientists look to experiment with this in the laboratory, scientists continue to look for abnormalities in the behavior of atoms. Read more in the article: http://www.scientificamerican.com/article.cfm?id=chemical-bonds-inner-shell-electrons&page=2

As I read this article, I was really interested because the entire time I was wondering why this bonding between inner electrons was necessary. In high school chemistry classes, it is taught valence electrons can bond with valence electrons of other atoms in order to achieve equilibrium in their energy levels like the noble gases. Since the inner energy levels are already filled, I don't understand why these electrons would form bonds. This holds even more importance since electrons give atoms all of their properties thus may this behavior between inner electrons have any effect on the qualities of an atom? Still, the fact remains this theory of inner electron bonding is only supported with calculations. With no proof from  the laboratory, this theory might be as valid as Aristotle's theory of matter consisting solely of earth, wind, fire, and air.  

Chemistry to the Rescue!

With repugnant levels of carbon dioxide emissions now clearly taking a disastrous toll on the environment, governments are attempting to reduce the excess of carbon dioxide produced mainly by the cars and the manufacturing industry. The Obama administration has enacted a proposal to reduce this amount, but the same end could be achieved through different, simpler means through chemistry! New innovations in chemistry have led to a process which converts carbon dioxide into methanol. Not only is this alcohol using in manufacturing, it is also successful as a fuel for vehicles. It's production can also generate a large amount of money, and honestly with a sixteen-trillion dollar debt, the U.S. needs all the money it can get right now! Carbon dioxide as well as shale gas can be converted into methanol which can serves a more economic and better performing fuel than gasoline and ethanol. With new innovations in the car industry creating engines better suited to run on methanol, this new process can both make a large dent in carbon dioxide emissions and transform the global economy. Minor congressional acts would have to be passed to permit the use of this fuel in the transportation world. Nevertheless, thanks chemistry! Read more in the article: http://online.wsj.com/news/articles/SB10001424127887324577304579057623877297840
     While the U.S. is eager to use it's policy of throwing money at any problem for carbon dioxide emissions, chemistry provides a much more economic alternative. This process of changing a once thought to be useless bi-product into a high-performing fuel can revolutionize the world we live in. This is why we must study chemistry, to improve lives and make inferences in order to create solutions to everyday problems. With sporadic weather patterns, raising sea levels, and other bad side effects, green house gases have become the villain of our environment. Imagine a world where never-ending smoke stacks no longer come out of factory chimneys and are instead converted into methanol! If only this process was around during the Industrial Revolution!

IT IS NUMBER 1! (Named for all Spongebob fans)

Recognized as the first and lightest element on the periodic table, scientists are now hypothesizing hydrogen may be the basis of our universe! Scientists currently believe most matter could have began as hydrogen gas which reacted in the Big Bang Theory. These substances would then lead to the formation of different of galaxies and ultimately all forms of life. Today, scientists are searching for large compilations of hydrogen gas in the universe in order to find new galaxies instead of relying on just sight. Scientists hope to learn more about hydrogen and the formation of the universe so they can better understand how the universe works. Professor Jessica Rosenberg is currently conducting two surveys to identify more galaxies using both a radio and optical telescope. While a radio telescope detects concentrations of hydrogen, optical telescopes search for accumulations of stars. When combined, both of these sets of data has led to the discovery of thousands of galaxies. Scientists are also studying how these concentrations of gases are interacting in the universe. For example, some hypotheses say galaxies with larger amounts of hydrogen will produce more stars when they collide. Another theory says some galaxies may be lacking hydrogen gas as a result of black  holes. Either way, it is clear hydrogen has had a history as long and as important as the universe's. Read more in the article: http://www.usnews.com/science/articles/2012/09/28/hydrogen-gas-in-the-universe

      Upon reading this article, I was amazed at how the simplest element, hydrogen, could lead to a formation of an extremely complex universe. This is the beauty of chemistry. You may begin with simple substances or masses (hydrogen in this case) which can react by joining or separating to create something very complicated. In essence, chemistry is the study of matter and how it reacts with other matter. Therefore it's incredible to consider the thought the simplest element with only a single electron began this sequence of chemical reactions which created the universe we live in today. Considering the explosion of the Hindenburg blimp filled with hydrogen, one can only imagine how epic the Big Bang was. Now, I'm only left wondering where could this hydrogen have come from?  

In chemistry we trust!

Today in my economics class, my teacher showed us this video on domestic production in the United States. One of the professions was scrap metal production. For a long period of time, the U.S. was the leading producer of steel in the world during the 19th and 20th century. This could be much entitled to a man known as Andrew Carnegie who revolutionized America's manufacturing industry. Though our nation was at the top of the world in steel production, for a long period of time this industry basically disappeared in the U.S. Now the scrap metal industry is making a comeback in the U.S. because of chemistry! This is fully credited to the use of an electric arc furnace. This furnace uses electrodes to produce heat around 3000 degrees Fahrenheit. While other furnaces rely on burning gas, the use of electrodes with this furnace is much more consistent and efficient in production explaining the rise in success for the U.S. steel production industry. Then I wondered about the chemistry behind electrodes. Electricity is produced by creating electrical currents between positively charged anode cells and negatively charged cathode cells. Though the movement of these currents is erratic at first, this flame stabilizes eventually producing the immense heat needed for this production. Electrons leave the cathode and travels to the anode. This produces the flame depicted in the image below. 

Read more in these articles: 

http://www.steel.org/en/Making%20Steel/How%20Its%20Made/Processes/Processes%20Info/Electric%20Arc%20Furnace%20Steelmaking.aspx

http://www.wisegeek.org/what-is-an-electrode.htm

I found this article so interesting because it is the story of chemistry helping rescue the United States economy! The amount of energy of 3000 degrees Fahrenheit which can be produced from this electrode furnace is astonishing. For me, this production of energy draws parallels to scientist JJ Thomson's experiment in which he discovered electrons. It is incredible how this movement of electrons between two charged terminals can great such an immense amount of heat. Thus when people ask why to study chemistry, it's because of reasons like this. For in this case, chemistry gave jobs to thousands of unemployed citizens in the U.S. and is revolutionizing the manufacturing industry. 

My favorite exothermic reaction!

      After a long, cold season of marching band, I've grown a great appreciation for hand and feet warmers! With a great amount of time spent at football games every week, I began to wonder about the chemistry behind these wonderful heat packets. Heat packets contain a mixture of iron powder, salt, water, and activated carbon. When released from their air sealed packaging, the plastic permeable membrane allows oxygen into the packet starting the chemical reaction. This mixture of substances in addition to oxygen produces iron oxide with heat as a bi-product explaining the heat we receive from the packet. Manufacturers of heat packets may manipulate the production of heat by manipulating the amount of the substance in the packet and the actual material of the packet. For instance, increasing the mixture within a packet increases the duration of the heat since more reactants result in more bi-products, one being heat. The permeability of the packet also determines how fast or slow heat is produced since more or less oxygen is let in limiting or increasing the reactants consequently increasing or decreasing the speed of the reaction. Manufacturers are now looking for more applications of products such as these.
Learn more from this article: https://pubs.acs.org/cen/science/88/8804sci3.html
      I love heat packets even more now knowing how they are a prime example of how chemistry can be used as an application in life. More importantly, it's interesting how this chemical reaction can directly be changed so easily. For example, simple changing the material of the packet determines the speed the reaction takes place in proportion to the amount of oxygen let in. Also manipulating the actual contents of the mixture in a packet can change the amount of heat produced. Though heat is technically the bi-product of this reaction that produces iron oxide, it is the product that every buyer wants in reality. Even though this is not a life-changing application, it is interesting to see how the basics of chemistry can be used in everyday life without being recognized.

Everything is a lie!

      Beginning in 1875, the international standard for the weight of a kilogram was created in the form of a metal cylinder stored in a vault close to Paris, France. Since then, this metal cylinder's weight has been increasing. The textbook definition of mass is the amount of matter in an object. This metal cylinder of platinum and iridium has been used to compared the mass of objects and has been used throughout the world for measurements. This is because the kilogram the standard unit of measurement used to represent mass. Though a very small change is occurring in the mass, scientists point out this change can be make a huge difference in fields such as medicine in which precision is a must. There are forty replicas of this cylinder, and all of the replicas have been gaining mass at different rates over the years. The scientists recognized the causes of this addition of mass are mercury and hydrocarbons in the air surrounding the cylinder. Scientists are trying to correct this addition of mass by treating the cylinder to ultraviolet light and ozone gas (O3). Read more in the article: http://scienceworld.scholastic.com/Chemistry-News/2013/04/is-the-kilogram-gaining-weight
      Though this may not seem like catastrophic news, this news is unsettling. This is almost like physicists discovering the speed of light is not the fastest in the universe. Most areas of chemistry and even in science in general depend on the measure of mass represented in kilograms. Though the changes are small, these annual additions of mass accumulate over the years. Thus if this cylinder and all other replicas are all incorrect in their own way, it could be difficult to find the true weight of a kilogram once again. This could have a wide influence to many areas such as medicine. Personally, I think of space travel and aeronautics in a minuscule, minute miscalculation can cause a disastrous outcome. Thus if we can hope to be correct in advanced and developed areas of science, we need to make sure the basics are entirely correct, like the weight of a kilogram.  

Benefits of studying atoms

     By developing a nano-sized particle with a strand of DNA, scientists at the University of Iowa have created a bio patch to help bone production. This nano-sized particle's DNA contains the genes used for the producing bones which when transcribed produce messenger RNA which facilitate the production of bone. This technology has repaired wounds in the skulls of animals who were test subjects as well as stimulating human bone marrow stromal cell growth. This messenger RNA mentioned prior aids in bone production by specifically producing the protein needed for this process. This is why this method trumps other past methods, for while other expensive methods require multiple injections of protein, this method requires just one bio patch which makes the proteins itself. This method also provides less margin for human error. Scientists have already found use for this technology in dentistry. This is further described in the article: http://phys.org/news/2013-11-bio-patch-regrow-bone.html
     Though the actual process of bone regeneration with this patch falls into the science of biology, this technology itself is chemistry. As mentioned in prior blog posts, studying atoms and atomic theory has great promise in nanotechnology. Specifically nanotechnology would greatly aid medicine. This is shown in the article as a nano-sized particle was used to aid bone regeneration. This shows future promise lies in nanotechnology which significantly depends on chemistry and research on the atomic and quantum levels. Therefore understanding and research of all other areas of science all come back to chemistry and rely on it for future advancement.

Studying atoms can help make phone cases!

By using a technique known as atomic layer deposition, scientists at the Georgia Institute of Technology are developing new films to protect cell phones. Metal oxides are needed to make this heavy-duty case which claims to protect phones from oxygen particles and water molecules also! Most other cases who claim to protect phones in the same way prove to have faults in that their manufacturing process creates small holes in the film allowing these oxygen, water and other particles in. The leader of the research team, Samuel Graham, has lead his team to create new cases which have been proven to protect phones when submerged in salt water over the course of months. These new cases increase the longevity of cellular devices and also will play a large role in future development of future electronics made of organic materials. These cases are so revolutionary as they are constructed on the molecular level. The entire process focuses on the layering of substances and materials such as aluminum, gases, and metal oxides to make extremely thin and durable phone cases which outperform thicker, flimsy phone films. Read more from the article: http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2013/10/131030111312.htm
      This article is not important in that it will provide a new phone film to users of cellular devices. This article is interesting as it includes the scientists' of atomic layer deposition to construct this case. Atomic layer deposition focuses on precisely placing substances in particular places to form a structure with other substances that can be even through out the product and be free of holes. This capability of being able to work on the molecular level shows great promise for future development of electronic devices and its possibilities. Atomic layer deposition reminds me a lot of how atoms are rearranged and joins to form compounds as described in Dalton's atomic theory. This chemistry aspect can also have a large role in the business world. For many cell phone companies, such as Apple, make many sales when products such as iPhones breaks constantly. If many people bought this new phone case, their phones would not break as often. Therefore while consumers would save money, producers such as Apple would lose a large amount of money. This shows how chemistry can affect other areas in society.

I know the government is shut down, but c'mon

Though much focus in the media has been on the government shut down, there has not been relatively any news of the government's lack of response to a depletion of a isotope needed in two thirds of nuclear power plants in the United States. This isotope is lithium-7. The Government Accountability Office (GAO) has recognized no assembly has taken control of this pressing issue. To this point, lithium-7 has imported to the U.S. from Russia and China. These two nations are the only suppliers of lithium-7 in the world. As China continues to receive demand for this isotope and difficulties take place with Russia, the U.S. clearly being presented an important issue. This issue also poses a danger as lithium-7 plays a significant role in the pressurized water reactors. These reactors are used to cool the reactor core of the nuclear power plant. The GAO also recently realized the U.S. is using a significantly greater amount of this isotope than experts previously thought. The United States now has three possibilities: build a domestic reserve, create domestic production for this isotope, or alter the pressurized water reactors so they do not need this isotope. Read more in the article: http://www.rsc.org/chemistryworld/2013/10/critical-isotope-threat-two-thirds-us-nuclear-reactors
      Though most Americans could care less about an isotope vital to nuclear power plants, this is a very pressing issue. Nuclear power is a much cleaner alternative to other energy sources, and it would be a shame if this energy production was halted due to an insufficient supply of the isotope. If people realized this could affect electricity supplies, maybe then people would begin to worry. The most nerve-racking part of the article is the part in which it says lithium-7 is used in the pressurized water reactor. Pressurized water reactors are able to cool the reactor core of a power plant, therefore in the absence of lithium-7, what if a crisis like the nuclear crisis of Japan is born? Now as we see the disastrous effects of nuclear disasters both in Chernobyl and Japan, it is obvious this issue must be handled.
 

A Use for Staring at Clouds

     While many people can claim they're experts of watching clouds, not many can say they study clouds like Pierre Herckes. Pierre Herckes is currently leading a team of scientists to collect samples of clouds and fog to observe the chemical reactions and transformations occurring on the atomic level. To gather these samples, Herckes' team hikes up mountains and uses a fan to gather precipitation in the form of beads to analyze the particles after being collected. Herckes notes a large component of this is waiting for a cloud or fog. Herckes' team studies clouds and fog to determine how transformations in the air affect the quality of the air, the health of organisms, and the environment. While these transformations can neutralize harmful substances, they can also form harmful substances from harmless substances. These reactions also form either a cooling or a warming and reflecting effect in the atmosphere. Herckes also studies the formation of Nitrosamines which could potentially pose a threat to human health. In the end, Herckes and his team now studying these gas particles and how they interact within clouds will shine some light on this unclear phenomenon. Find more information in the article: http://www.usnews.com/science/articles/2012/09/19/chemistry-and-clouds
       As many people often learn of the basics of particles and the states of matter (solid, liquid, and gas), this article takes this topic to a whole new level. Based on how these particles interact in the atmosphere, they can either produce beneficial or detrimental effects in our environment. I particularly believe this research is important today as we as a species have contributed such an overwhelming amount of air pollution to the atmosphere to a degree where it's important that we do know how these particles are behaving in atmosphere. For while this could help erase the error of humans by turning pollutants into harmful substances, it could conversely creating a warming, reflective product which would intensify the greenhouse effect and global warming. This could even affect human's health with end results spanning to cancer. Thus this research led by Herckes could certainly help human's understanding and treatment of the atmosphere.

More complicated than it appears to be

      A small detail that is mostly overlooked, is the ripples on icicles. Though scientists hypothesized this was the result of surface tension between water molecules flowing over the ice, a new experiment conducted by Stephen Morris and Anthony Szu-Han Chan reveals these ripples are actually the result of salt. While tap water produced ripply icicles in the experiment, distilled water did not produce ripples. Also melted icicles were recorded for having a slight amount of salt in their composition. The experiment found a speed and direction of the ripple motion were determined by the concentration of dissolved salt. Though salt does drive this formation, it is not a large amount of salt used to make these ripples, only 20mg of salt per liter. This research can benefit greatly in prevention of ice formation on airplanes, ships, and power lines. Find more information in the article: http://www.chemistrytimes.com/research/Want_ripples_on_your_icicles_Scientists_suggest_adding_salt.asp
       Though the benefits of studying icicle formation are slightly interesting, this article entertaining in how particles react to form these icicles. Scientists first thought these icicles were formed by surface tension between flowing water molecules and the ice. Surface tension is the result of water's property of polarity, which allows it to form hydrogen bonds between slightly negative oxygen atoms and slightly positive hydrogen atoms of neighboring molecules. This polarity explains why water beads and has surface tension. Though scientists believed water was the cause of these ripples, this article described an experiment in which salt was revealed as the cause of formation of ripples. Due to water's polarity, it is capable of moving and reacting with other particles and molecules with different charges. This is most likely why the icicle forms ripples and changing shapes because of the bond and pull of particles of salt and water. These properties and reactions between particles are what drive chemistry and really make it interesting.

A molecular sponge to clean up the messes of mankind

      Though he was not directly searching for it, chemist Paul Edmiston stumbled upon a material that can act a sponge to absorb compounds such as oil and pesticides dissolved in water. Edmiston named this material Osorb. With the capabilities of this material, Edmiston hopes to use Osorb to erase negative side effects of hydraulic fracturing, commonly known as fracking. This process involves drilling into the Earth and injecting chemicals to unearth deposits of natural gas returning to the surface with many harmful substances. Not only has this been a controversial environmental issue, but it has even become a health issue by contaminating water supplies. When coming in contact with these substances, Osorb expands to eight times is weight for materials like oil to fit inside its pores. Edmiston is focusing on how to maximize the effectiveness of Osorb while still making it an economic choice. With the development of this material, Edmsiton hopes he can undo the wrongs caused by mankind's base actions to obtain energy sources. The article describes this further: http://green.blogs.nytimes.com/2012/06/26/a-novel-way-to-clean-wastewater/?ref=chemistry&_r=0.
       As mankind has committed many atrocities to nature to achieve its own selfish goals, this discovery is crucial in preserving our environment. The incredible feature of Osorb is it acts like molecular sponge, absorbing materials even if they have already dissolved into the water. Though the side effects of pollution does fall into the area of biology, the concentration of chemicals, substances, and other pollutants involves chemistry. Think of the many possibilities substances such as Osorb could have! An example very relevant to my society is the Hudson River. Driving across the George Washington Bridge, no one could miss the repulsive yellow water caused by the accumulation of industrial waste and other corrosive substances. Imagine if Osorb could remove harmful substances from bodies of water throughout the world and how this could aid the environment. Developments such as this could even apply to environmental disasters such as the BP oil spill. The article directly mentions Osorb's ability to absorb oil thus Osorb could form an incredible contribution to purging of aquatic ecosystems of harmful substances like oil. With instances like the Exxon Valdez oil spill, the BP oil spill, and fracking, clearly human behavior like this will not go away, but it is up to materials like Osorb to erase and weaken the impact of these behaviors.

Just how strong is the strongest material?

      In a new paper written by scientists from Rice University, supposedly the strongest material known to man consisting of a chain of carbon atoms is described. This material is known as carbyne. Lead scientist Boris Yakobson of the research group describes the material as capable of being stretched, capable of storing energy with side molecules, and it is resistant to crosslinks with nearby chains. Now to understand the strength of this material, Yakobson points out this material is twice as strong as graphene. To break a sheet of graphene, one of the strongest materials ever tested by scientists, the weight of an elephant on top of a pencil would be required. Therefore the strength of carbyne is incredible. Carbyne's strength can be attributed to its arrangement of carbon atoms in a chain with double bonds or alternating single and triple bonds. Yakobson notes how people usually observe atoms of substances while in ground state, but he states carbyne may be the highest energy configuration for carbon materials. This material is further described in the article: http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2013/10/131009162732.htm.
      Upon reading this article, I was initially amazed at the amount of strength this substance has emphasized in its comparison to the material graphite. If this substance could be produced in a great abundance, maybe it would have possibilities for being used in construction to make stronger structures. Also as a teenager who will soon be receiving their driver's permit, many stories and cases of tragic car accidents are scary and intimidating. Thus incredibly strong materials like this can continue to be discovered and studied, maybe the safety of essential features to life can be improved. As stated in the article, Yakobson proposed carbyne may be a structure of the highest energy configuration. From chemistry lessons of atomic orbitals and electrons, it is interesting to study how the arrangement of these atoms affects the characteristics and chemical properties of a substance. With my past posts discussing the promise of nanotechnology especially with tools like scanning tunneling microscope, this article clearly connects with those topics as its strength, ability to stretch, and capabilities of storing energy can be utilized in creating more advanced, nanotechnology. If scientists hope to invent more complex technology, they must use advanced substances like carbyne. Thus the importance of researching different materials such as carbyne in addition to their energy configurations serves a great significance for technological development.    

       At this year's Lindau Nobel Laureate Meeting, past Nobel winners discussed with upcoming chemists how to use chemistry to solve four issues society faces today. These four issues are: alternate fuel sources, science's role in society, finite resources, and the development of medicinal drugs.  For fuel sources, chemists are determining substances that have properties that would allow them to be an alternate fuel source. Since fossil fuels are a finite source, one chemist proposed using hydrogen based fuels as an alternative, but another chemist mentioned the reality if this alternative fuel source is not cheap, it will not be used. All scientists agreed science should have an influence in a nation's government, and it is difficult to receive funding from the corporate and laboring class since results are not immediate. As other resources on Earth are depleting, the laureates also discussed the use of nitrogenous catalysts to replace these resources. Still, a chemist describes how it's difficult how to predict an increase in productivity and how this truly is an area of trial and error. Lastly, chemists discussed the severity of undervaluing the importance of developing antibody resistance. What substances or changes could be made to a person's immune system in order to aid antibodies in the endless war against bacteria. Watch the video and learn more from the article: http://www.scientificamerican.com/article.cfm?id=the-63rd-annual-lindau-trailer-chemistry-better-living
      Mainly I chose this article because as many people resort to the phrase "Why should I spend my time studying this?" This article provides a clear reason to study chemistry: with more developments, it will improve the life in which we live in. One of the main things I noticed in this video was as they introduced the individual chemists in the video, I saw not only chemists but other scientists such as physicists and others. This shows how main areas of science interlock and come together in order to solve issues of the common world. With the topic of alternate fuel sources, it was interesting how the chemist chose hydrogen as the base of its fuel due to its properties. Next, the real question would be which and how much of other elements would scientists combine in whole number ratios in order to form a mixture or compound that could solve this crisis that has left many professionals stymied. With the topic of finite resources, I observed the reoccurring theme in chemistry, the process of trial and error. The chemists use the example of using different substances and then say if you see a positive reaction from say barium, you use reason and assess which course of action will continue this trend of a positive reaction, like adding more barium. Also this video stresses the importance of sharing and communication between scientists and their ideas in order to continue to make advancements in the field. This Lindau Nobel Prize Meeting reminded of the way in which NASA works: lock a bunch of geniuses in a room and have them collaborate until they find a solution!

Back to the Heart of Chemistry

      Recently, the Nobel Prize committee has awarded chemists Martin Karplus, Michael Levitt, and Arieh Warshel with the Nobel Prize for chemistry by developing a method for modeling complex chemical systems. These chemists used classic computational tools to model chemical reactions vital to life on Earth such as photosynthesis. Since they can model these vital reactions, many peers are saying these chemists have joined the two entities of theoretical and experimental chemistry. These chemists also combined quantum and classic physics to determine how atoms and molecules react with one another. Not only can this new development model large molecules, but it can also observe and isolate particular atoms of a molecule. Other peers recognize this as a huge advancement in the field, as credit is given in the article: http://www.rsc.org/chemistryworld/2013/10/computational-chemists-take-nobel-prize-2013
      Advancements in science such as this are so crucial because quantum chemistry is the driving force of chemistry. A quantum is the amount of energy required for an electron to move from one atomic orbital to another, and thus quantum chemistry focuses largely on electrons and interactions between them and other particles. The movement of these electrons and how they react with other molecules and atoms gives substances their properties and is the heart of chemistry. This technology is ground-breaking as it allows scientists to observe chemical reactions vital to life on Earth such as photosynthesis. If scientists hope to a better understanding of more complex chemical reactions, having a complete understanding of these basic, crucial chemical reactions would make sense. Though most of chemistry is based on experimentation, scientists depend on technology such as this to be able to observe substances on a much higher level of detail. One of the first comments of this articles was a snide comment remarking a Nobel prize for chemistry should not be given to computers, but as time progresses scientists will have to depend on technology such as this to continue making advancements in this field.

The Downside to Every Upside

      In an amazing achievement, the China has found a way to supply for its immense energy demands by using coal-powered synthetic natural gas plants. With private companies deciding to build their own synthetic natural gas plants, China's demand for natural gas is easily met. Though of course since this method has any benefit, this means it also has negative side effects. The amount of greenhouse gas this coal-powered synthetic natural gas plants is seven times greater than the amount of greenhouse gas orthodox plants produce. The new method of producing natural gas also requires 100 times the amount of water used in the production of shale gas. These statistics were acquired by a study conducted by Duke University in which a member of the research group ends China entirely shuts down this alternative program of gas production as it has immense potential for damaging the environment. This is further described in the article: http://www.chemistrytimes.com/research/Chinas_synthetic_gas_plants_would_be_greenhouse_giants.asp.

      By having producing a larger amount of greenhouses gases, more heat would be trapped in the atmosphere according to the theory of global warming. This heat would then cause irregular, extreme weather conditions. Some experts credit  global warming for producing super storms, like Hurricane Sandy. Another environmental issue is the use of water. The amount of fresh water on Earth is currently around 2%, and most of this fresh water cannot even be used since it is frozen in the polar ice caps. Though this may sound like simply a matter of biology, this topic also involves chemistry. For with more greenhouse gases in the atmosphere, heat is trapped causing the particles to move in greater concentrations explaining the sporadic weather conditions. Also, the reactions used in plants to generate natural gas and energy is a process explained using chemistry. Thus it become the task for all nations to use chemistry in a way to generate industry without yielding a product that will harm the environment. It's fascinating how two different areas of science, biology and chemistry, are both involved in this topic.

Preventing the Inhumane Use of Chemistry

      With war remaining as a constant throughout history with participants resorting to crueler and crueler methods of warfare, the University of North Carolina has begun a study to create efficient ways of using antidotes to combat chemical warfare. The researchers, lead by Joseph Desimone, will use technology known as PRINT (Particle Replication in Non-wetting Templates) to achieve this feat. This technology will allow scientists to alter the particles of antidotes and utilize microscopic needles to inject this antidote to those affected by nerve gas. The study is further described in this article: http://www.chemistrytimes.com/research/Grant_to_explore_better_methods_for_delivering_antidotes_after_chemical_attacks.asp.

      Personally, I believe this study is extremely relevant to modern society due to situations like what is presently occurring in Syria. In Syria, Syrian rebels are using nerve gas on innocent civilians, and many believe the rebel group is somehow related to the government. Regardless, this is just one incident in which chemical warfare is used against harmless people. By conducting this research, researchers would be developing life-saving technology to combat this heinous act of war. Many gases from the periodic table have been used in chemical warfare throughout history. One example of this is chlorine which is highly poisonous in its natural gas form. This is why it's important to analyze properties of elements therefore if a situation presents itself in which the effects of the element would have to be neutralized, a solution could be made. This situation is chemical warfare. In studying how nerve gas reacts with the body and learning of how scientists can produce the most effective antidote particles, hopefully scientists could develop this way of saving a countless amount of lives presently and for many years to come.

     

More than Meets the Eye

      Recently, a team of researchers has assembled a carbon nanotube computer which is able to perform two functions. For those who are not familiar with carbon nanotubes, they are materials consisting of carbon in the shape of a tube with a thickness equal to that of one ten-thousandth of a human hair. The structure of a nanotube resembles the picture below.

      Though the computer can only run a counting and sorting program at this point, it is an amazing accomplishment considering the precise arrangement of atoms and materials required on the nanometer scale in order to be able to make a device such as this. The research group's incredible product is commended in the article: http://www.nytimes.com/2013/09/26/science/researchers-build-a-working-carbon-nanotube-computer.html. One of the leaders of the group, H.S. Philip Wong, described the amount of time needed to complete this task by saying, "'We've spent a tremendous amount of time on this; in fact we've spent two generations of students on this.'" If it takes two generations of well-educated, intelligent scientists to assemble this one computer, then clearly assembling this device was not an easy feat. The team began by using carbon nanotubes to assemble transistors for the computers which were then connected to one another in order to form an electric circuit. This step-by-step process of advancement ultimately lead to the creation of the carbon nanotube computer.
      Like I wrote in the article before this, technological advancement such as this has immense significance because of the many possibilities nanotechnology may hold in the future. To have an understanding of the size of this carbon nanotube computer, look at the picture provided in the article of leader, Max Shulaker, in front of it.

      To the right of Shulaker, the carbon nanotube microscope is shown beneath a powerful microscope, the only way it can be clearly seen with the human eye. Now relating back to my prior post again, what if this computer nanotechnology were combined with the ability to arrange atoms into structures possessed by using the specialized scanning tunneling microscope. Possibly in the future, a program could be made on the computer to operate the manufacturing of other micro structures using the scanning tunneling microscope. Nanotechnology has proposed possibilities of medicinal use, helping the environment, and even ending world hunger. If humans want to have any chance of accomplishing ambitious feats such as this, stepping-stones such as this device are crucial. 

      Topics such as this relate to simple chemistry lessons of electrons, protons, and neutrons because it is important to be well-versed on materials at subatomic level in order to figure out how to manipulate them. A person would have to be able to know information on this topic and then be able to draw conclusions and inferences based on the given information. In the case of Max Shulaker's team, he knew the structure of micro materials, like carbon nanotubes, and he was able to manipulate them to assemble the carbon nanotube computer. This style of thinking is what chemistry is all about. 

Small in Size but Humongous Significance

      Most people who study chemistry are aware of the importance of the Scanning Tunneling Microscope (STM) which provides chemists views of substances on an atomic level. Though this is a great feat in itself, Nobel Prize Winner, Don Eigler of IBM, has multiplied the potential of this tool immensely. Eigler has invented a new STM which not only provides images on the atomic level but can also position and move atoms. IBM releases more details in their article: http://researcher.watson.ibm.com/researcher/view.php?person=almaden-eigler. Most STMs use a needle to trace and create an image of a surface which normally looks like the image shown below.

In very simple terms, a STM has a needle tip ending with a single atom which conducts a current of electricity to other atoms on the surface. The needle then passes over the surface, scanning for changes in voltage allowing the microscope to create these three-dimensional images. Don Eigler's STM has been modified so it can use its needle to position atoms on a surface. He demonstrated this by spelling out "I-B-M" using atoms. 

The precision and level of technology needed to organize atoms in such a way is incredible. Prior to arranging atoms, Eigler first cools samples to low temperatures to produce little to no motion of atoms so they may be arranged using the needle. Since Eigler's new STM can manipulate atoms, this greatly opens the door for future technology. Instantly, I think of medical uses for this technology. Small devices can be manufactured using tools such as this microscope to be placed in the body to regulate body functions. Maybe these microscopic devices could even cure deficiencies many humans possess. This is most likely why IBM researched how to manipulate the arrangement of atoms because they know this is where potential for future technology lies. Now because of Don Eigler, technology can be manufactured at any size. Not only does Eigler deserve a Nobel Peace Prize, but he deserves to have street names in his honor, multiple statues, and places in textbooks so future generations can marvel at his stunning accomplishment. 

Erasing the Boundary Between Fantasy and Reality

      For as long as fairy tales have been told, the idea of an alchemist has been around. Typically an alchemist is a person who can change the matter of a substance of low value and alter it into a substance of high value, such as gold, using chemistry. At Princeton University, a chemist, Paul Chirik, has achieved the status of an alchemist as depicted in this article: http://www.nytimes.com/2012/10/16/science/modern-day-alchemy-has-iron-working-like-platinum.html?ref=chemistry&_r=0.

      Dr. Chirik has managed to alter iron, so it may function as platinum. By using catalysts and organic molecules known as ligands, Chirik is able to provide a shape for the molecule to form bonds ultimately allowing it to acquire properties of platinum. The amount of possibilities that can come from this research is limitless! If Dr. Chirik is able to change fantasy into reality, then who knows for certain what is or is not possible through further development in science. 

      One statement in this article that really stands out to me is when the author points out how a pound of platinum is valued around $22,000 whereas iron only costs around $0.50 per pound. Thus if chemists can ensure this altered form of iron does not rust, possibly construction workers could use this platinum replica to construct buildings saving an immense amount of money in supplies. Lower construction prices would ultimately help areas develop throughout the world. Another point is some resources on Earth are finite. Though this may not be the case now, there may be a point in the future in which humans will have to use this research to construct materials that have been depleted. At the end of the article, the author also mentions how Dr. Chirik's team is searching for a way to use catalysts to convert nitrogen in the air to other forms rather than using the Haber-Bosch method. Not only would this help in the production of nitrogen, but I wonder if it could benefit the environment. Currently, theories of global warming are constantly circulating in media. Thus I wonder if catalysts could possibly be used to extract green house gases, like carbon dioxide, from the atmosphere lessening the effects of global warming. It is not certain what this research is capable of, but clearly there are no boundaries to its potential. 

      

   

      

For the Inner Pyromaniacs Inside All of Us

Hello fellow chemistry enthusiasts! In honor of celebrating the creation of my blog, I'm going to start it off with a bang. Literally! By this I mean the combustion of a substance known as thermite. Thermite is a mixture of aluminum and iron oxide which burns at a very high heat as shown in this video from the TV series, Mytbusters! Please disregard the first ten seconds of the cartoon introduction, I apologize in advance.

As stated in the video by one of the main scientists, when ignited, thermite burns three times hotter than molten lava. Even prior to this statement, the scientist mentions how he talked to fellow colleagues who also used this amount of thermite, and they use this to make rocket boosters! For me, I find the sheer power and energy given off by this reaction truly fascinating. Mixtures of thermite containing iron oxide usually produce heat around 2887 degrees Celsius (approximately 5229 degrees Fahrenheit) when ignited. Though I know I will not be conducting experiments like this in my Honors Chemistry class, videos such as this harbor an excitement inside of me to study chemical reactions and ultimately learn how matter does react with other forms of matter. Even on the smaller scale of a high school level, experiments such as these still display processes which we would otherwise be completely unaware of in the world around us. It's also interesting to think of how a person can join elements and their properties to make a new substance or mixture possessing both sets of properties like thermite in this case. Due to the heat given off when thermite burns, it is commonly used for welding purposes like joining metal to make railroads. Here's yet another exciting video of thermite burning over ice to start off this blog not with one, but two bangs! 

Another thing I want to point out about this video is how scientists are still unsure as to why thermite does provide this explosion in the presence of ice. This shows that there is still much to learn in the area of chemistry, and the same can be said for science as a whole. As there are multiple explanations as to why this reaction may occur, there are multiple approaches and reasons as well, showing chemistry is a subject in which one has to draw conclusions and make inferences to ultimately form an answer as to why something like this occurs. Good-bye for now!