RACI WA Branch Newsletter: August 2011

THE ROYAL AUSTRALIAN CHEMICAL INSTITUTE INC (WA BRANCH)

A.B.N. 69 030 287 244 A.I.R.N. A00 403 86D A.R.B.N. 102 726 429

PO Box 114, North Beach WA 6920 Telephone: 0403 022 968 E-mail: wabranch@raci.org.au Website: www.raci.org.au/wa

FROM THE PRESIDENT

Welcome to the August 2011 edition of the WA Branch Newsletter. The number and variety of events in this mid year period have provided an opportunity for members to find something that interests them. In July we’ve had a seminar on Emotional Intelligence, an IYC 2011 lecture from Phil Clarke, the first of the Monthly Chemistry Meetings and of course, the National Chemistry Week & Awards Dinner. Look out for articles on these in this and future Newsletters.

August will see a further two IYC2011 sponsored presentations from visiting speakers, so check on the calendar of events for specific details. There will also be a few more social events as we head into the latter part of the year, including the annual Hackers Golf Day. To all the “once a year golfers”, you have a couple of months to polish up the golf clubs. If members have any ideas for the end of year social mixer, please pass on all suggestions to Ben Fletcher.

The WA Branch Committee would also like to hear from any members willing to give a presentation at one of the Monthly Chemistry Meetings, or any ideas for future topics that we can seek speakers for. We are keen to have a wide range of Chemistry topics being covered, so here’s your chance to have some input into the program.

It has been good to see quite a few new faces along with the regular attendees to RACI events and I look forward to engaging with more members in the future.

Shane Koenig, FRACI President, RACI WA Branch

RACI WA Branch Newsletter: August 2011 2

Peter Tregloan presents

Making Chemistry Visible! The Science Teachers’ Association of Western Australia are taking registrations

for Peter Tregloan presents ‘Making Chemistry Visible!’ PD.

Chemists move seamlessly between three overlapping worlds – the macroscopic world that we work with and see, the molecular world that we must imagine in all its dynamic detail, and the conceptual world that provides the language to link the other two.

As educators, our task is to work with students to build the knowledge and skills they need to become independent travelers though these connected worlds. This lecture will focus on the chemistry of carbon dioxide as a vehicle for the journey. Macro-video projection will be used to demonstrate some experiments with CO2 in all its states – solid, liquid and gas.

Lecture Date: Monday 8th August 2011 Start time 5.20pm Doors open 5pm

Venue: AMRC Lecture Theatre, Curtin Uni Parking at front of reception *

* Map indicating location /parking available on www.stawa.net Registration closes at 5pm on August 2nd 2011

This is a professional development event. Certificates will be issued to all participants. This PD is free of charge – please register online at www.stawa.net

Register Today! Free of Charge! For online registration enquiries email admin@stawa.net

For any queries regarding the actual event, please contact Simon Lewis E-mail:S.Lewis@curtin.edu.au Tel: +61 (08) 9266 2484 | Fax: +61 (08) 9266 2300

Peter Tregloan is Associate Professor and Principal Fellow in Chemistry at The University of Melbourne and Professorial Fellow in the Centre Educational Innovation and Technology at The University of Queensland. This presentation, using live macro video projection to show experiments and reactions of carbon dioxide in all its physical states, is aimed at secondary school teachers and students.

RACI WA Branch Newsletter: August 2011 3

The RACI WA Branch and CSBP are pleased to present -

Professor Lynn Francesconi

Radiochemistry: an interdisciplinary field that provides benefits to society and

challenges to overcome From the time of Rutherford, Becquerel and the Curies, in the early 1900’s, radioactivity and radiochemistry has grown to play a central role in benefitting human life. The fission of uranium in nuclear power plants provides energy for societal needs. Remediation of radioelements in the environment is an important challenge. Radioactive elements play a major beneficial role in medicine, specifically in molecular imaging for diagnosis of disease and in therapy of disease. This lecture will provide insight into the interdisciplinary field of radiochemistry and will show connections between the radiochemistry research in energy, environment and medicine. Specifically, the chemistry of element technetium-99 (99Tc), a redox active element, that is a major fission product of uranium-235, will be discussed in the context of nuclear energy and environmental remediation. The chemistry of radiometals for molecular imaging beginning with technetium-99m (99mTc) and advancing to novel radiometals for Single Photon Emission Computed Tomography (SPECT) and Positron Emission Tomography (PET) will be examined. Finally, relatively new work on the advancement of radiotherapy employing radiometals will also be discussed.

DATE: 23 August Time : 5.30pm for a 6.15pm presentation commencement (light refreshments will be available before the presentation) Venue: Exhibition space foyer of Bldg. 500 Curtin University RSVP to wabranch@raci.org.au ASAP but no later than 20th August

Professor Francesconi from Hunter College, New York explains the chemistry of technetium (Tc) and the lanthanide group of chemical elements. As Tc-99m, technetium is widely used in the nuclear medicine clinic for diagnosis of disease. Professor Francesconi, in collaboration with Diatide and Schering, has identified the structures of two recent targeted Tc-99m radiopharmaceuticals, that are now in the clinic for imaging Deep Vein Thrombosis (DVT) and lung tumours.

RACI WA Branch Newsletter: August 2011 4

RACI Monthly Meetings Date: 3rd Tuesday of every month Time: From 5.30pm. Seminar/presentation commences at 6.15pm. Refreshments at seminar conclusion Venue: Exhibition Space in Building 500, Chemistry Centre Cost:: $5 charge to cover refreshments (limited drinks and snacks) RSVP: wabranch@raci.org.au to assist with catering purposes (preferably by Friday before meeting)

AUGUST Tues 16th

The Scientist Salesman: Selling Technology Without Selling Your Soul Alistair Day, LECO Australia

SEPTEMBER Tues 20th

The Kwinana Chemistry Strip

July’s Monthly Meeting

On the 19th of July the WA Branch had its first member’s monthly meeting. This is nowhere near as formal as it sounds. It is based on the get togethers of other professional societies whereby members get together to listen to a presentation on some aspect of their science over refreshments and talk with likeminded professionals before and after the presentation.

It has been decided that the third Tuesday of every month will be the date for the meeting and the Chemcentre has provided the venue (Exhibition space in Bldg. 500 of the Chemistry Precinct at Curtin).

About 30 members came to this inaugural event and by all accounts it was very successful. The Chair of the HSEG Kathryn Linge gave the presentation titled “Recent Developments in Recycling Wastewater For Drinking Purposes in Western Australia”.

So if you have seen all the movies showing on cheap Tuesdays this month why not come down for a drink and a chat with fellow chemists on August 16th to hear what Alistair Day has to say (our next speaker)..

Again please RSVP to wabranch@raci.org.au to assist with catering.

Biology is the only science in which multiplication is the same thing as division.

Normal people believe that if it ain't broke, don't fix it. Engineers believe that if it ain't broke, it doesn't have enough features yet.

RACI WA Branch Newsletter: August 2011 5

 

Murphy's Ten Laws for Experimentalists: In a scientific experiment, (1) if something can go wrong, it will do so just before your grant is up for review; (2) if the reading on your detector is correct, then you have forgot to plug it in; (3) if several things can go wrong then they will do so all at the same time; (4) if nothing can go wrong with your experiment, something still will; (5) left unto itself, your experiment will go from bad to worse; on the other hand, if you pay

attention to the experiment then it will take three times longer to complete than you thought it would;

(6) Nature is both subtle and malicious (Murphy stole this one from Albert Einstein); (7) a straight line will never fit your data, and using a wiggly line will result in the rejection by

referees of the publication of work; (8) if you make a great discovery today, you will find a major error in your methods tomorrow

(experienced experimentalists call this effect "here today, gone tomorrow"); (9) in contrast to a radio, banging your apparatus when you are at peak frustration will not fix it but

permanently break it (for this reason, it is important for experimentalists to remain calm at all times);

(10) when your experiment is just about to succeed, you will run out of grant money. IC11 – 2011 RACI INORGANIC CHEMISTRY DIVISION CONFERENCE

Date: 4-8 December Venue: UWA Early bird registrations close Sep 1, Abstracts close Oct 1. Visit at the website www.ic11.org.au

RACI WA Branch Newsletter: August 2011 6

Global Food: Issues and Solutions - Report

The Analytical Chemistry Group held a seminar on various aspects of food production in June. Topics covered included: Food security from a seafood perspective

Demand for seafood is going up, protein in seafood is a vital part of poor countries diet, depleted stocks, fishing provides a livelihood for 8%, loss of biodiversity and overfishing.

Aquaculture The problems in setting up an aquaculture business, rapid expansion of aquaculture (particularly in China), aquaculture can be either large scale industrial or small scale local production, many problems with setting up in Australia including disease, fish food sources getting expensive, NIMBYs and pollution.

Food security for WA What will happen when the rail link is broken for a few months given that most of our food is supplied from the East and we only have a few weeks supply on hand?

Problems faced by manufacturers in a global environment Lean manufacturing (minimising waste to avoid disposal costs), cutting costs by not over engineering the food products, fallout from melamine contamination, staff turnover/ training issues, maintaining a consistent product, supermarket purchasing power, international competition.

Accurate measurements of the food International treaties, comparison of results using measurement uncertainty, WHO/ CODEX risk management strategy, technical barriers to trade, food causing illness in the Asia/Pacific region.

Radioactive contaminants in food after a nuclear accident The recent Japanese accident was used to illustrate different radioactive sources and how they could enter the food chain, instruments used to measure radioactivity and the effect on humans of various dose levels.

The possibility of sorghum being made a common food item Sorghum being investigated as a potential crop as it could be a functional food which may be used to protect against chronic disease risk and as well as being a sustainable agriculture product. Sorghum has many nutritional benefits and progress has been made to resolve taste issues and food manufacturing problems.

RACI WA Branch Newsletter: August 2011 7 The RACI is delighted to have CSBP Limited, a major provider of chemicals to WA-based industries, become a major sponsor of activities associated with the International Year of Chemistry (IYC). CSBP manufactures and supplies chemicals, fertilisers and related services to the mining, minerals processing, industrial and agricultural sectors. CSBP has become a Touring Partner for the various national touring activities (exhibitions and lectures) occurring throughout the year, and is the Principal Sponsor of upcoming lectures and interactive events in WA. The RACI, in partnership with CSBP, is committed to raising public awareness of the importance of chemistry in our everyday lives.

Upcoming

Chemistry Events

Travelling Chemistry Exhibitions - As part of IYC 2011 the RACI have touring displays made up of showcases and banners travelling around Australia being displayed in public libraries. The WA display is ‘Eat, drink and chemistry’. Cambridge Library, Floreat 4 July-12 August. Rockingham Library 12 August -12 September.

Lecture for Chemistry teachers and educators - Peter Tregloan will be presenting a lecture to assist educators, in their task to work with students to build the knowledge and skills they need to become independent travelers though the chemical world. This lecture will focus on the chemistry of carbon dioxide as a vehicle for the journey. Live macro-video projection will be used to demonstrate some experiments with CO2 in all its physical states – solid, liquid and gas.

Date/Time: from 5pm on Monday August 8th Venue: Curtin Chemistry Precinct People can RSVP to the STAWA Office either by phone (9244 1987) or email: admin@stawa.net For more details see p2 of this Newsletter

Lecture - Professor Lynn Francesconi was awarded the Mme Marie Curie Lectureship for 2011. The Lectureship highlights the significant work a world-renown woman chemist has made in both research and as an advocate for the promotion of women in science. She will be presenting a public lecture.

Date/Time: Tuesday 23rd August, 6pm Venue: Curtin University Exhibition space in Chemistry Bldg 500 (Grd Floor) RSVP to wabranch@raci.org.au For more details see p3 of this Newsletter

Lecture - Professor Dame Julia Higgins, Imperial College, London will be in Perth as part of her Selby Fellowship presenting a lecture. Professor Dame Higgins is a champion of women in science and engineering, honoured by the Queen as a Dame of the British Empire. Previously the Principal of the Faculty of Engineering at Imperial College and the Foreign Secretary and Vice President of the Royal Society. Professor Dame Higgins chairs the Athena project responsible for investigating reasons for the scarcity of senior women in science and technology.

Date: Tuesday 15th November Venue: Curtin University More details yet to be finalized

Lecture - Prof. Martyn Poliakoff (UK) Research Professor at the University of Nottingham and a pioneer in the field of green chemistry, Professor Poliakoff has become a campus and internet celebrity as the host of The Periodic Table of Video, a 118 part series of short videos intended to familiarise the public with the elements of the periodic table. (www.periodicvideos.com)

Date: Thursday 29th September More details yet to be finalized

RACI WA Branch Newsletter: August 2011 8

Report on “Emotional Intelligence”

Event The Management and Career Development Group held a seminar on the 13th July at the Australian Resources Research Centre (ARRC) in Kensington, to provide attendees with a better understanding of the concept of Emotional Intelligence and how to utilise it for greater success. The 30 attendees came from diverse backgrounds, representing 14 different organisations and spanning several generations. There were familiar faces, however there were also some first time attendees to an RACI event, which was heartening.

Dr Genevieve Armson from Realisations Consultancy gave an entertaining and informative presentation on Emotional Intelligence (EI). This included some exercises with small groups and the audience as a whole, to highlight some of the key attributes of what emotional intelligence is and how it manifests itself in everyday life. We learnt that 20% of your success is contributed by your IQ, leaving 80% to other forces such as EI and luck!

Genevieve described several of the definitions of emotional intelligence and some of the different models used to describe the various interplays. The seven types of intelligences as described by Howard Gardner’s multiple intelligences model were explored and an eighth type has since been added to this model.

The information provided will enable us to better manage ourselves and to handle relationships.

After the formal presentation and question time, there were some informal discussions and networking whilst having a few drinks and some finger food. The general feedback was that the event was worthwhile and attendees had gained a new perspective on how to use emotional intelligence in their everyday lives.

Special thanks to the organising committee for putting in the effort and making this a successful event.

Shane Koenig Chair M&CD Group

RACI WA Branch Newsletter: August 2011 9

Wilf Ewers Award 2011

The Wilf Ewers Award, which had its’ inaugural presentation in 1990, recognises contributions made to furthering the profession of chemistry, particularly in WA. The award recipient in 2011 is Dr Maree Baddock (currently Head of Professional Learning at St Hilda’s Anglican School for Girls).

Maree has been actively involved with the Chemical Education Group of the RACI WA Branch for 20 years, being the current treasurer (since 2006) having previously served as secretary (1991-92). She is also the treasurer of the Chemical Education Division of the RACI. She took on the task of coordinating the Bayliss Youth lecture in 1993 and 1994 but is best known for her huge efforts with the Titration Stakes, for which she has been the main contact and organizer for the last 12 years.

The RACI Titration Stakes is one of the largest annual activities organized by the Branch with typically 250+ high school students from 30 or more metropolitan and regional high schools participating every year. For many chemistry students this will be the first time they have attended an RACI event of any description. It is in no small part due to Maree’s herculean efforts very year that this event occurs so successfully. She has worked tirelessly and selflessly in presenting this major activity, such that it is a “must attend” calendar event for many high schools.

It is RACI members such as Maree, who have dedicated their career, as an educator and chemist, to the advancement of chemistry in a highly effective manner, for whom the Wilf Ewers Citation Award is intended. Maree is a most worthy recipient of the Award for services above and beyond the call of duty to the profession of Chemistry in Western Australia. Simon Lewis

RACI WA Branch President Shane Koenig presents the Wilf Ewer’s Award to Dr Maree Baddock at the National Chemistry Week Dinner, Perth Flying Squadron Yacht Club, Friday 22nd July, 2011 (Photograph: Magdeline Lum).

RACI WA Branch Newsletter: August 2011 10

RACI WA Branch Newsletter: August 2011 11

CALENDAR OF EVENTS FOR 2011 Presented by Rowe Scientific Pty Ltd

www.rowe.com.au Date Event Location/ Comment Source Jul/Oct 2011 Crystal Growing Competition Curtin University. CE Group Aug 2011 National Chem. Analysis Competition Venue to be confirmed. CE Group 08.08.2011 Lecture: Peter Tregloan AMRC Lecture Theatre, Curtin Uni 09.08.2011 Branch Committee Meeting Held at NMI, Kensington WA Branch RACI 13-21.08.2011 Science Week 13-21 August 2011 16.08.2011 RACI WA Monthly Lecture Exhibition Space, Chemistry Centre WA Branch RACI

23.08.2011 Marie Curie Lecture : Professor Lynn Francesconi Exhibition Space, Chemistry Centre

05.09.2011 Student Career's Night Exhibition Space, Chemistry Centre M&CD & TC Group 20.09.2011 RACI WA Monthly Lecture Exhibition Space, Chemistry Centre WA Branch RACI 29.09.2011 Lecture – Martyn Poliakoff Venue to be confirmed 11.10.2011 Branch Committee Meeting Held at NMI, Kensington WA Branch RACI 18.10.2011 RACI WA Monthly Lecture Exhibition Space, Chemistry Centre WA Branch RACI 25.10.2011 Hackers Golf Afternoon In conjunction with ACG. Hillview Golf Course, Maida Vale. M&CD, AC Groups 15.11.2011 Lecture - Professor Dame Julia Higgins Curtin University 15.11.2011 RACI WA Monthly Lecture Exhibition Space, Chemistry Centre WA Branch RACI 18.11.2011 AGM & Symposium Dinner Venue to be confirmed WA Branch RACI 26.11.2011 National Assembly Meeting Held at Holiday Inn, Melbourne Airport National Office 4-8.12.2011 Inorganic Division Conference University of WA 14.12.2011? Pre-Christmas Social Mixer Venue to be confirmed. WA Branch RACI

Enquiries to Branch Coordinator Ben Fletcher: 0403 022 968, wabranch@raci.org.au

Q: Where does bad light end up? A: In a prism.

The Heineken Uncertainty Principle says: "You can never be sure how many beers you had last night."

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Branch Newsletter Deadlines For 2011

Month of Journal Deadline Date

September Fri 26 August October Fri 23 September

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Please submit all articles to paula.mclay@measurement.gov.au