International Year Of Chemistry Research Articles

New frontiers and opportunities for chemistry

One of the benefits of serving in the American Chemical Society presidential succession is the opportunity to listen to members, colleagues, and students. These groups, particularly students, are often curious about future opportunities in chemistry. Below, are four elements of these future opportunities. New frontiers. During the 2011 International Year of Chemistry, Nature published an editorial, stating that “Chemistry is a mature field, but its exciting, productive, and influential days are far from over.” Indeed, chemistry covers a broad spectrum of activities: emerging areas and growth areas include biochemistry, nanotechnology, sustainability, advanced materials, catalysis, drug and agrochemical development, quantum computing, electronics, and computer applications. Many research topics in these areas are promising and innovative. Some of the foremost research in biochemistry is CRISPR, modified biologics, proteomics, epigenetics, bioinformatics, therapeutics, diagnostics, and vaccine developments. Advanced materials such as metal-organic frameworks, supramolecular chemistry, smart materials, and biomaterials will likely stimulate further growth

Introducing Compounds: An Interdisciplinary Open Access Journal

Almost 10 years have passed since the International Year of Chemistry was celebrated [...]

IYPT and The Mother of All Tables

Abstract A few years ago, the International Year of Chemistry (2011) was celebrated throughout the world with the organization of thematic conferences and symposia, special activities for children, the publication of a myriad of articles and reviews, and, of course, the release of postage stamps by many countries. Likewise, the International Year of the Periodic Table (IYPT) presents now another rare opportunity to relate the history of chemistry and showcase its societal benefits to a worldwide audience. As originally proclaimed by the United Nations and UNESCO, the IYPT also offers an incentive to promote international cooperation in the basic sciences for sustainable development and science education.

Periodic table fanfare

Wow! The International Year of the Periodic Table started with a bang at C&EN. There is already so much activity surrounding IYPT that we can hardly contain our excitement. There is no doubt that 2019 is going to be a banner year for chemistry and chemists, and we are looking forward to being part of it. The attention that the International Year of Chemistry afforded our science back in 2011 and any gains that were made in the public’s mind and trust are going to be cemented and further amplified by IYPT. Chemistry will once again be thrust into the limelight, and we should relish the moment. What an opportunity to engage with the younger members of society and inspire them to learn more about the periodic table, chemistry, and science in general. At C&EN, we’ll definitely be grabbing the opportunity with both hands. All our activities relating to IYPT—and

Science in the Arts Series in Clinical Chemistry: Attempt at Conclusions

The Science in the Arts series in Clinical Chemistry has now continued for 6 years. It followed a series of writings on art and science that celebrated the UNESCO International Year of Chemistry in 2011 (1). Over the years, Science in the Arts has addressed links, parallelisms, and contrasts between science and the arts. The complete list of articles in the series is given below. This article proposes general conclusions that can be drawn from the series' content. Both science and the arts constantly change; therefore, our discussion has been strongly grounded in history. This immediately highlights a major difference between contemporary arts and science: Science focuses strongly on the present, with its history, more often than not, being seen as a sort of educational appendage, whereas the visual arts, despite occasional pronouncements to the contrary, refer much more often, if critically, to the past (2). Over centuries, art moved from symbolic primitive representation often related to myth and magic, through a long period when the artists kept perfecting their skills to copy reality, to modernity when deliberate abstraction emerged. Artists such as the Cubists, the Fauves, and the Futurists used line, color, and form to express their perception of reality. Moreover, the art of the Surrealists, for instance, provided invaluable insights into emotions and dreams. Interestingly, these radical explorations were likely inspired by changes in our general view of the world influenced by emerging scientific theories, such as Einstein's theory of relativity. The focus on the 2-dimensional nature of a painting in the middle of the 20th century also mirrors the fundamentally scientific approach, an objective examination. Many changes observed in the arts have been inspired by specific scientific discoveries and new technologies. The invention of optical instruments, such as lenses, camera obscura , and camera lucida , …

Perspectives: Championing chemistry

An editorial in Nature Chemistry in 2010 asked chemists a simple question: “Where are the champions?” The opinion piece highlighted long-held misconceptions and negative perceptions about chemistry and observed that “chemistry lacks the easily articulated grand challenges associated with physics or biology, and it generally gets a rough ride in the mainstream media. All the more reason that it needs effective advocates and champions.” The International Year of Chemistry held the following year does not appear to have achieved the hoped-for change in chemistry’s standing in the public’s eye, to have raised the profile of the subject, or, with a few exceptions, to have inspired champions of chemistry to step forward. Moreover, a Royal Society of Chemistry study in 2015 revealed that chemists’ image of how society views the subject was worse than the reality. These results seem to us indicative of a profession afflicted with low self-esteem rather than

President’s Column

I am grateful for this opportunity to wish members of IUPAC bodies, fellows, affiliate members, and our company associates a fruitful and healthy year in 2016. I am also grateful to the IUPAC family for its commitment to the chemical sciences. As I have mentioned in my Vice President Critical Assessment in Busan, chemistry is the music of nature, which, while playing with a limited number of elements, creates the infinite beauty of the Universe. To help society appreciate chemistry is one of the key goals of IUPAC. The momentum gained during the International Year of Chemistry (

Green Chemistry in Africa – its inception and challenges

Much to the dismay of chemists, and those employed in the field, it has become apparent that the image of chemistry around the world has deteriorated. One of various reasons for this may be the negative impact that loose handling of chemicals and waste, on occasions, had on the environment. One of the objectives of the International Year of Chemistry (IYC) 2011 was to improve the public's image and understanding of the subject. The concept of Green Chemistry was formulated 24 years ago in the USA to tackle challenges facing chemistry in the 21st century. It has brought about a major positive shift in the way chemists think, process, handle and dispose of chemicals. Since its formulation, the returns on investments in Green Chemistry are increasing rapidly. It may eventually hold the key to Africa's future sustainability of economic, social and environmental development if regional educational needs are recognised and addressed, and if investment in Green Chemistry increases in the areas of research and development, infrastructure, overpopulation, and intra-African trade.

International Organic Chemistry Competition: A Thrilling, Unique Experience

The introduction of clickers into the learning environment evolved significantly reflecting major developments in student academic performance. From simple in-class, multiple-choice questions to global international competitions, this innovative tool has managed to combine both education and entertainment into an intuitive and positively reinforcing learning experience. In 2011, the PI was appointed by the International Union of Pure and Applied Chemistry (IUPAC) to represent and coordinate the activities in Lebanon in celebration of the International Year of Chemistry (IYC2011). The first seed of organic chemistry competition (OC) was thus planted, sparking a series of more successful events promoting a fun and proactive educational environment that recognized the participants’ mastery of essential concepts of organic chemistry. As such, the OC has since became a platform for higher education and student-based academic involvement joining students from all around the world and different walks of life to experience and share a common interest: organic chemistry.

Representation, metaphors, and mutual influences: a reflection on 49 pieces of writing on science and the arts.

This is the 50th article on the links between science and the arts published in the Clinical Chemistry since January 2011. It all started as a series designed to celebrate the International Year of Chemistry, and subsequently evolved into the Science in the Arts series. Here I try to reflect on a pattern that has emerged in the preceding 49 pieces of writing (Fig. 1). Fig. 1. Marek H. Dominiczak. Art and Science note 02. Ink and Aquamarkers on Bristol board, 25 x 18 cm. Let us recall the core definitions first. The Oxford Dictionaries define science as “the intellectual and practical activity encompassing the systematic study of the structure and behaviour of the physical and natural world through observation and experiment” (1). Art, on the other hand, is “the expression or application of human creative skill and imagination, typically in a visual form such as painting or sculpture, producing works to be appreciated primarily for their beauty or emotional power” (2). The third definition is that of an institution; Francis Fukuyama, writing about political institutions in his newest book, defined it as a “persistent pattern of behaviour” (3). Science is primarily based on individual endeavor, greatly enhanced by institutions, and physically centered in certain types of space. The nature of links between science and the arts seems to fall into three categories: representation, symbols and metaphors, and mutual influence on practice. Firstly, representation. Historically, the simplest form of artistic representation in relation to science has been portraiture: the recording of personalities of eminent individuals. An interesting aspect here is that many portraits take a “scholar in his study” form, present in painting since the Renaissance (4). In such portraits, looking at the surrounding space is particularly informative. With time, the nature of the …

Chemical World Tour—4th Edition

The Chemical World Tour started as a celebration during the 2011 International year of Chemistry and has since established itself as an anticipated event for French students bridging science and journalism. The CWT is an initiative of the French Union of Chemical Industries and Fondation Internationale de la Maison de la Chimie and has two main objectives: to explain how the chemical industry helps to create a more sustainable, safe, and successful sporting environment; and to encourage talented youngsters to take an interest in a career in the chemical industry.

A Time for Renewal

After the difficult financial times that we have experienced in recent years we are now in a period with the opportunity for recovery, renewal, improvement, and growth. In better times it is too easy to coast along on the wave taking the comfortable pathways and to fail to critically examine the benefits and costs of decisions. One of the better outcomes of a recession is that it sharpens critical functions by making necessary a general examination and questioning of every choice made. Even the magic of our chemistry could not empower IUPAC to complete immunity from the global financial malaise and, as I have reported previously, two of our income streams—those from publications and investments—have inevitably been reduced. It also has been an expensive few years for us with the excitement and success of the International Year of Chemistry still fresh in our thoughts.

Science in the AIR: Case Study of a Radio Science Serial on Chemistry

During the International Year of Chemistry 2011, Vigyan Prasar and All India Radio entered into an agreement to produce radio serials jointly on 117 radio stations in 19 major Indian languages. The programme presented chemistry as a ubiquitous aspect of our surroundings with the goal of evoking public appreciation and building greater understanding of chemistry among the general public. The programme highlighted activities by Indian scientists, with a special focus on young researchers and new technologies developed in Indian research laboratories. This case study describes the narrative structure, targeted audience, and strategies adopted in the project. Our results should be useful for similar educational initiatives targeting comparable radio audiences.

Chemistry in context: analysis of thematic chemistry videos available online

United Nations declared 2011 to be the International Year of Chemistry. The Swedish Chemical Society chose twelve themes, one for each month, to highlight the connection of chemistry with everyday life. Examples of themes were fashion, climate change, love, sports, communication, health issues, and food. From the themes various context-based educational materials were produced. One such educational resource, connecting to students' interests, was the Chemistry Calendar. It mainly contains short videos available on YouTube (also in English). The target group for the videos was secondary school. The videos have been analysed using a research-based analysis model consisting of four fields (pure chemistry; applied chemistry; socio-chemistry; nature of chemistry). The video analysis focuses on content and discourses. For example the images of chemistry and the chemist were examined. The analysis shows that the videos have a number of clear messages that are in line with “chemical literacy”, such as chemistry is all around you, chemistry researchers look different, chemical experiments can be of very different nature, chemistry is important for society, and chemistry has historically had some downsides. The Chemistry Calendar videos are unique and could be very useful in context-based chemistry education. However, their weakness regarding critical and reflective aspects must be compensated for in chemistry teaching, for example by highlighting “excluded environmental aspects” and by placing the videos in the contexts of critical citizenship and global sustainability.

A Time for Renewal

After the difficult financial times that we have experienced in recent years we are now in a period with the opportunity for recovery, renewal, improvement, and growth. In better times it is too easy to coast along on the wave taking the comfortable pathways and to fail to critically examine the benefits and costs of decisions. One of the better outcomes of a recession is that it sharpens critical functions by making necessary a general examination and questioning of every choice made. Even the magic of our chemistry could not empower IUPAC to complete immunity from the global financial malaise and, as I have reported previously, two of our income streams—those from publications and investments—have inevitably been reduced. It also has been an expensive few years for us with the excitement and success of the International Year of Chemistry still fresh in our thoughts.

Of Compliments and Complements—International Perspectives on the American Association of Chemistry Teachers

This commentary provides an international perspective on the recent decision by ACS to create and fund the American Association of Chemistry Teachers (AACT). Comments are informed by observations of what works in other countries to support K-12 chemistry teachers. The initiative is seen as timely and important, promising to support teachers in the United States who prepare individuals to serve as productive members of society at formative periods in their lives and learning. Structured interactions between K-12 chemistry teachers and postsecondary teachers and researchers in the ACS Division of Chemical Education should have synergistic benefits. Suggestions for emphases in implementation of AACT are given, including attending to pedagogical content knowledge and the origins and progression of student conceptions. AACT is also encouraged to work closely with other professional organizations that support U.S. chemistry teachers, such as the National Science Teachers Association. Experiences in other countries of chemical societies working closely with K-12 teachers to implement the International Year of Chemistry show how much enthusiasm, insight, and excitement K-12 teachers can bring to national societies.

ConfChem Conference on A Virtual Colloquium to Sustain and Celebrate IYC 2011 Initiatives in Global Chemical Education—The Global Experiment of the IYC2011: Creating Online Communities for Education and Science

The Global Experiment, Water: A Chemical Solution, was one of the flagship activities of the International Year of Chemistry (IYC). During the virtual colloquium of the spring 2012 online ConfChem conference, the main results of this year-long experiment were presented and discussed online for a week. Some of the main conclusions of the virtual conversations relate to the benefits of creating online communities of people sharing similar interests, the use of online educational platforms to gather massive amounts of data, and specific questions about the development of this IYC initiative. The activities of the global water experiment (GWE) were designed by a team of experts and the protocols are available online on the GWE Web site. The results were shown in one interactive world map that allowed students to learn about data visualization, validation, and interpretation. The feedback obtained from the participants of the GWE and later by the contributors of the virtual colloquium was very positive. Many participants asked specific and technical questions about the development of this experiment, while others excitedly endorsed the convenience of these large open-access activities to promote chemistry worldwide. The estimate is that over 2 million people took part in the GWE during the IYC. This communication summarizes one of the invited papers to the ConfChem online conference: A Virtual Colloquium to Sustain and Celebrate IYC 2011 Initiatives in Global Chemical Education, held from May 18 to June 29, 2012 and hosted by the ACS DivCHED Committee on Computers in Chemical Education and the IUPAC Committee on Chemistry Education.

ConfChem Conference on A Virtual Colloquium to Sustain and Celebrate IYC 2011 Initiatives in Global Chemical Education: An Introduction to the International Year of Chemistry

This contribution discusses the ideas, goals, and events leading to declaration by the United Nations General Assembly of 2011 as the International Year of Chemistry. Also described is the IUPAC management structure that supported fundraising and the three cornerstone events. This communication summarizes one of the invited papers to the ConfChem online conference A Virtual Colloquium to Sustain and Celebrate IYC 2011 Initiatives in Global Chemical Education, held from May 18 to June 29, 2012 and hosted by the ACS DivCHED Committee on Computers in Chemical Education (CCCE) and the IUPAC Committee on Chemistry Education.

ConfChem Conference on A Virtual Colloquium to Sustain and Celebrate IYC 2011 Initiatives in Global Chemical Education: Introduction

The spring 2012 online ConfChem conference, a Virtual Colloquium to Sustain and Celebrate IYC 2011 initiatives in Global Chemical Education was held from May 18 to June 28, 2012, during which time material was presented and discussed on 18 different projects and initiatives associated with the United Nations International Year of Chemistry (IYC). This post-IYC 2011 virtual colloquium was a collaborative effort between the IUPAC Committee on Chemistry Education (CCE) and the ACS Division of Chemical Education Committee on Computers in Chemical Education (CCCE), with two underlying objectives: first, to celebrate and further disseminate information on IYC 2011 activities and second to provide a discussion platform to share ideas on how to sustain these projects and initiatives beyond 2011. This communication is the first of a series of communications in this edition of JCE on this virtual colloquium, and the authors have uploaded as supporting information to their individual communications both the original...

ConfChem Conference on A Virtual Colloquium to Sustain and Celebrate IYC 2011 Initiatives in Global Chemical Education—The Continuing Celebration of IYC 2011: What the IUPAC Polymer Division Is Doing To Keep Things Going

The IUPAC polymer division regards the International Year of Chemistry as a starting point for ongoing engagement with the public to better communicate the important role of polymer chemistry in serving society. Prior to that we had started a polymer division education Web site to distribute the contents of an educational CD focused on polymers. This Web site became our principal tool for IYC activities including a video and essay contest aimed at high school and university students, an international funding call, and a list of polymer division sponsored IYC events and conferences. In addition, it provides links to educational Web sites around the world, videos related to polymer scientists and polymer division award winners, and simple definitions of common polymer terms. This communication discusses the results of a student competition, an international funding call designed by national funding agencies to develop best practices for multinational research programs, and noteworthy aspects of the educational Web site and summarizes one of the invited papers to the ConfChem online conference A Virtual Colloquium to Sustain and Celebrate IYC 2011 Initiatives in Global Chemical Education, held from May 18 to June 29, 2012 and hosted by the ACS DivCHED Committee on Computers in Chemical Education (CCCE) and the IUPAC Committee on Chemistry Education.