Grantee News

The Efficient Extraction of Carbon Dioxide from Ambient Air

Dr. Sunho Choi, a Dreyfus Foundation Postdoctoral Fellow, and his advisor Prof. Christopher W. Jones of the Georgia Institute of Technology have demonstrated that amine/silica hybrid materials are surprisingly efficient at extracting carbon dioxide from ultra-dilute sources, such as the ambient air. The direct extraction of carbon dioxide from ambient air may eventually produce sequestration-ready carbon dioxide for permanent or semi-permanent storage in geological formations, providing the means to effectively treat carbon dioxide emissions from both stationary and mobile sources.

"Can Chemistry Help Fuel Our Future?" at Museum of Science, Boston

The Museum of Science, Boston, recently launched "Can Chemistry Help our Future?", a dynamic installation that includes a video kiosk and a vitrine that inform visitors about the energy problem and the importance of chemistry to the development of alternative energy sources. Daniel Nocera, the Henry Dreyfus Professor of Chemistry at MIT, narrates the video. This effort received funding from the Special Grant Program in the Chemical Sciences.

"Chemistry Matters" Videos on Nobelprize.org

Nobelprize.org has produced "Chemistry Matters," a series of short, educational videos in which 16 Nobel Laureates discuss new frontiers in the field and explore what life as a chemist entails. They also describe the beauty inherent in chemistry and recall the eureka moments of their research. Designed for students who are aspiring to a career in chemistry, these videos also recognize the International Year of Chemistry.

This effort received funding from the Special Grant Program in the Chemical Sciences.

Tufts Chemistry Department Engages in Outreach to Local Schools

Dr. David Walt of Tufts University leads the Chemistry Organized Outreach Program (CO-OP), in which faculty and undergraduates engage local high school teachers with contemporary innovations in the field. Participating high schools are also able to borrow equipment from Tufts in order to integrate experiments into their own classrooms.

This effort received funding from the Special Grant Program in the Chemical Sciences.

K-12 Chemistry a Hit at Science Buddies

Science Buddies, an online library of tools, project ideas, and how-to information, is one of the most popular websites for K-12 students developing science research projects. The Topic Selection Wizard (TSW) tool is especially popular with students. The Special Grant Program provided support to build a resource-rich "Chemistry Interest Area" for the TSW, which has become one of Science Buddies' most popular content areas.

Related link: http://www.sciencebuddies.org