Chemistry Newsblog

Communicating Climate Science: Consensus Matters

Published April 20, 2016

Seminars

Dr. Sarah Green, Professor
Department of Chemistry
Michigan Technological University
Date: April 22, 2016
Place: Chem-Sci Room 101
Time: 3:00 pm

Abstract

Climate science does not translate directly into political action to curb climate change. We are conducting a global experiment by modifying the basic chemistry, physics, and biology of the planet. Climate science explains past changes and projects the possible outcomes of this experiment according to parameters that are adjusted through political decisions. The public cannot be expected to grasp all the details of climate science. Yet public acceptance of its key findings is essential to support climate policy. Recognition of the consensus among experts is a gateway to accepting the reality of climate change. How do we know there is a scientific consensus and how do we communicate that fact to the public?

Xia Research Group in Chemical & Engineering News

Published March 29, 2016

By Sue Hill

News

Deposition followed by etching yields ruthenium nanoframes

Michigan Technological University chemists Xiaohu Xia and Haihang Ye, together with researchers at the University of Texas, Dallas, and elsewhere used a ruthenium chloride solution to preferentially deposit ruthenium on the edges and corners of nanosized palladium octahedral seed crystals.

A Noble Calling: Ruthenium Nanoframes Open the Doors to Better Catalysts

The world is run by catalysts. They clean up after cars, help make fertilizers, and could be the key to better hydrogen fuel. Now, a team of chemists, led by Xiaohu Xia from Michigan Technological University, has found a better way to make metal catalysts.

“We are fine-tuning the surface, size, shape and crystal structure,” he says. “Our goal is to increase their catalytic activity while reducing the usage of this precious material.”

Sasha Teymorian Receives the Dean’s Award for Outstanding Scholarship

Published March 1, 2016

By Sue Hill

Awards
News

Graduate student Sasha Teymorian is a Fall 2015 recipient of the Dean’s Award for Outstanding Scholarship, as announced by the Graduate School.

Teymorian’s advisor is Pushpa Murthy.

Tarun Dam is an Exceptional Graduate Faculty Mentor

Published March 1, 2016

By Sue Hill

News

Assistant Professor of Chemistry Tarun K. Dam received the Exceptional Graduate Faculty Mentor Award from the Graduate Student Government.

The recognition is for excellence in mentoring exemplified through advocacy, availability, awareness, creativity, and modeling.

GSC Winners 2016-2016 — Sarah Hopson, Ni Fan, Tarun Dam, and Melanie Talaga

Ni Fan is an Outstanding Graduate Student Teacher

Published March 1, 2016

By Sue Hill

News

Graduate student Ni Fan is a Spring 2016 recipient of the Outstanding Graduate Student Teaching Award as announced by the Graduate School.

Fan’s advisor is Tarun Dam.

Fan also received the Second Place Award for an Oral Presentation at the 2016 Graduate Research Colloquium.

Sarah Hopson is an Outstanding Graduate Student Teacher

Published March 1, 2016

By Sue Hill

News

Graduate student Sarah E. Hopson is a Fall 2015 recipient of the Outstanding Graduate Student Teaching Award as announced by the Graduate School.

Hopson’s advisor is Marty Thompson.

Melanie Talaga Receives the Dean’s Award for Outstanding Scholarship

Published March 1, 2016

By Sue Hill

News

Graduate student Melanie Talaga is a Spring 2016 recipient of the Dean’s Award for Outstanding Scholarship, as announced by the Graduate School.

Talaga’s advisor is Tarun Dam.

Talaga also received the Third Place Award for an Oral Presentation at the 2016 Graduate Research Colloquium. Hers was the Highest Attended Presentation.

Graduate students displaying research at Michigan Tech

“We use really big words and we’re use to using those words because we deal with it everyday,” said Melanie Talaga, MTU doctorate student. “Other general communities do not understand those words so we need to learn how to practice and break it down to everyone’s level. So then we can communicate our science and get people interested in our science.”

Read more at Upper Michigan’s Source, by Aleah Hordges.

Andrew Galerneau is a Distinguished Teaching Award Finalist

Published February 11, 2016

By Sue Hill

News

The William G. Jackson Center for Teaching and Learning seeks input for its annual Distinguished Teaching Awards, which recognize outstanding contribution to the instructional mission of the University.

Based on more than 50,000 student rating of instruction responses, 11 finalists have been identified for the 2016 awards. The selection committee is soliciting comments from students, staff, faculty and alumni to aid in its deliberation process.

Among the finalists in the Assistant Professor / Lecturer / Professor of Practice Category is Lecturer Andrew Galerneau.

Comments on the nominees are due by Friday, March 18, 2016, and can be completed online.

From Tech Today, by by Jackson Center For Teaching and Learning.

New Assistant Professor Kathryn Perrine

Published December 17, 2015

By Sue Hill

News

Kathryn Perrine joins the Department of Chemistry as an assistant professor. Before joining Michigan Tech, Perrine was at the Joint Center for Artificial Photosynthesis at the California Institute of Technology. Perrine earned her PhD in Chemistry from the University of Delaware and her Bachelor of Science in Chemistry from the University of South Carolina.

She belongs to the American Vacuum Society and the American Chemical Society. Her research interests include reactions on metal and functionalized surfaces to control the growth of molecular architectures; growth, properties and reactions on heterogeneous structures for energy analysis; and liquid/solid and gas/solid interfacial chemistry using surface analysis.