How to Put Water on a Fire:

Methods for Overcoming Sample Introduction, Limitations in Atomic Spectroscopy

Dr. Neil Fitzgerald

Department of Chemistry

Marist College

Wednesday, October 20, 2004

7:00 PM

Resnick Engineering Hall, RM 109

SUNY New Paltz

Reception: 6:30 PM (outside REH 109)

Contact Dr. John Harrington (SUNY New Paltz) at

845-257-3728 or by e-mail at harringj@newpaltz.edu.

About the lecture: Atomic spectrometry describes a number of instrumental methods used to determine low concentrations of atoms by measuring the absorption or emission of light. Although the techniques vary, the basic requirement for gas phase atoms of the analyte is common to all. This is normally accomplished by heating the sample in a flame, furnace or plasma. By far, the most common form of a sample is an aqueous liquid. The question posed in this presentation is how to efficiently introduce an aqueous sample into a flame or plasma without significantly reducing the energy required for atomization. This apparently simple problem, described by Browner and Boorn as the Achilles heel of atomic spectrometry (Anal. Chem. 56 (1984) 786A), has still yet to be fully resolved. Despite the rapid improvements in technology and engineering of commercial spectrometers, sample introduction remains the major limitation. This presentation will discuss approaches to attempt to overcome the limitations of sample introduction in atomic spectrometry including desolvation methods and chemical vapor generation.

About the speaker: Born and raised in the South of England, Dr. Fitzgerald was educated at University of Kent at Canterbury (B.Sc. in Chemistry with Environmental Science) and University of Loughborough (M.Sc. in Instrumental Analytical Chemistry). Dr. Fitzgerald moved to the US in the cold winter of 1994, and worked under fellow Brit Julian Tyson at the University of Massachusetts. He studied possible applications of microwave heating to atomic spectrometry and received his Ph.D. in 1999. Dr. Fitzgerald is now an assistant professor of chemistry at Marist College. His research interests include novel sample introduction methods for atomic spectrometry and the investigation of heavy metals in the environment.

Directions to SUNY New Paltz: The campus is located at 75 S. Manheim Blvd. For complete directions and campus map, visit www.newpaltz.edu/about/directions.html.

Take I-87 to Exit 18 and turn left at the traffic light after the toll booth (Rte. 299). From Rte. 299, turn left at the third traffic light onto S. Manheim Blvd. (Rte. 32 South). Turn right onto Mohonk Ave. East.

American Chemical Society

Mid-Hudson Section

College Recognition

Awards Dinner

Thursday, December 9, 2004

6:00 PM

North Street Grill

Route 52, Fishkill

Dinner: Buffet dinner (with vegetarian choice). Includes bread, salad, entrée, dessert and coffee.

Cost: College Student Honorees and Mentors: No charge, Other students: $25

All others: $30; Cash bar additional (As always, pay by cash or check.)

Please make reservations by December 1^st. Contact Patti Cusatis at patti63@aol.com or

845-569-1359.

Directions: The North Street Grill (845-896-1000) is located at 1111 Main St. in Fishkill, NY (two blocks west of Rte. 9 on Rte. 52). Take Exit 12 from I-84 and travel east toward the Village of Fishkill or take Exit 13 off I-84 and travel north on Rte. 9. Complete directions are available at www.northstreetgrill.com.

About the evening: The purpose of these awards is to recognize achievement in the field of chemistry and to encourage further study in chemistry. One student from each college in the Mid-Hudson Section will be presented with a certificate and $75.00 cash award. The student and his/her mentor will be guests of the Section at the Awards Dinner. The chemistry faculty at each college should select one award winner on the basis of general excellence in chemistry. Four-year degree-granting colleges may wish to recognize a junior year student, while a community college may select a second-year student. Winner selections from the faculty should be submitted by November 7^th. Please send the student’s name and the faculty advisor’s name to Patti Cusatis via e-mail (patti63@aol.com) or by regular mail to 15 Arrowhead Court, Newburgh, NY 12550. If you have any questions regarding this award, please do not hesitate to contact Patti at 845-569-1359.

50-Year ACS Member

The Mid-Hudson Section is pleased to announce that John Vincent Harrington has been a member of the American Chemical Society for 50 years. Sincere congratulations are extended to Mr. Harrington for this special milestone!

Call for Nominations for 2005

Mid-Hudson ACS Executive Board

The following Executive Board positions will be filled in elections this Fall:

Chair-Elect – 3 year term

Secretary – 1 year term

Treasurer – 1 year term

Member-at-Large – 3 year term

If you are interested in running for one of these positions, please contact Dan Freedman by phone at 845-257-3795 or by e-mail at freedmad@newpaltz.edu.

The Mid-Hudson section is also seeking a volunteer for the position of National Chemistry Week Coordinator. If you are interested, please contact Michelle Rodden at 845-687-5000/5165 or roddenm@sunyulster.edu.

Reminder: NERM 2004

The Executive Board would like to remind everyone that the Northeast Regional Meeting of the American Chemical Society will take place from October 31^st to November 3^rd in Rochester, NY. For complete details, visit the NERM 2004 website at www.chem.rochester.edu/~rocacs/nerm. This is an excellent opportunity for students doing undergraduate research to present their results. If anyone is interested in going as a group from the Section, please contact Dan Freedman at 845-257-3795 or by e-mail at freedmad@newpaltz.edu.

Women Chemists Committee News

The Women Chemists Committee was a finalist at this year's National ACS meeting in Philadelphia for the best single event in a local section promoting women in chemistry! Although we didn't get the first prize (Midland, Michigan did) we had a great showing!

To continue the initiative, the Women Chemists Committee will conduct a Girl Scout Badge Day for the Putnam Northern Westchester Girl Scout Council on November 6, 2004, at the Rock Hill Girl Scout Camp in Mahopac, NY. Sixty girls will complete their "Making it Matter" Badge, and will take part in activities that include making slime, modifying slime formulations, building structures out of newspapers, wiring circuits, testing acids and bases, and learning about household chemicals.

Anyone interested in helping out with the event should contact Mary Dery at derymary@aol.com, or 845-528-0230.

The WCC is forming a committee for staff development for high school teachers. This may involve business visits or special workshops in current areas of chemistry. If you are interested in helping with this initiative, please contact Mary Dery at the e-mail address above.

Join the Mid-Hudson ACS E-mail List! Get updates and other Section news!

Send an email message to listserv@acc.msmc.edu with the following command in the body of your message:

subscribe acs-mh

Mid-Hudson Section Website: membership.acs.org/M/MidHud/

Executive Committee:

Chair, John Harrington; Chair-Elect, John Galbraith; Past Chair, Sarjit Kaur; Treasurer, Joan Skinner; Secretary, Daniel Freedman; Councilor, David Straus; Alternate Councilor, Timothy MacMahon; Members–at–Large, Lynn Maelia, Mary Dery, Cynthia MacMahon; Program Chair, John Harrington; Public Relations Chair/ NCW Coordinator, Michelle Rodden; Awards Chair, Patti Cusatis; WCC Chair: Mary Dery;

Mid-Hudson Chemist: Editor/Publisher: Gissel Mentore

NATIONAL CHEMISTRY WEEK 2004: HEALTH & WELLNESS

The mission of National Chemistry Week is to reach the public, particularly elementary and secondary school children, with positive messages about chemistry:

to make a positive change in the public's impression of chemistry;
to promote a mechanism for effectively mobilizing ACS local sections; and
to motivate the ACS membership through local section activities.

The Mid-Hudson section’s National Chemistry Week Coordinator is Michelle Rodden. Please contact her with any questions and to volunteer to help with any of the events scheduled to celebrate NCW! (Work: 845-687-5000/5165 or roddenm@sunyulster.edu; Home: 845-338-3922 or roddenm@msn.com) Please type “ACS” in the subject line for all NCW correspondence. All events start PROMPTLY at time shown- plan to arrive 15 -30 minutes early for seating, etc.

Sunday, October 17^th Chemists’ Hike at Poet’s Walk in Annandale-on-Hudson, 2:00 pm. A botanical guided tour of one of our local treasures. The park's mown and gravel paths provide access to the 120 acres of fields and forest. The park's design reflects 19^th century picturesque style of American landscape design. The extraordinary vistas, sunlit fields, and thick forest were the focus of landscape architect Hans Jacob Ehlers’ vision for the property in 1849. Using walls of foliage and breaks in the rise of a field or a stone wall, he created several "outdoor rooms", each evoking a different atmosphere. As you walk the park, you will see the maturity of his design, which has endured through the efforts of previous landowners. Today, the visual integrity of the park and its setting is protected by The Scenic Hudson Land Trust's conservation easements on the surrounding 800 acres. Our hike leader will be Mr. Andy Angstrom, Naturalist. He intends to identify all flora and fauna on the hike, as well as answer questions about the local habitat. This is a rare opportunity for members to learn more about their local environs! Directions: From the Hudson River, going east, after the Kingston-Rhinecliff Bridge (this is Rte. 199), turn left (north) onto River Road, County Rte. 103. Poet's Walk Park is on the left side of the road.

Monday, October 18^th Chemistry Elemental Puzzle Contest entries are due. Five people will win cool prizes. See puzzle entry form for details and contest rules.

Tuesday, October 19^th Poster Contest entries are due. Winners in each of four age categories (top 3) receive awesome prizes. First place winning posters will be sent to the National ACS competition. See announcement for details and contest rules.

Thursday, October 21^st Chemistry Family Night, five locations, 6:30pm-8:00 pm, space is limited to 50 kids per site- reservations are mandatory! Beverages and snacks will be served. Door prizes. Several experiments will be demonstrated and kids will be able to do their own experimenting, too! Pepsi will be the sole sponsor for refreshments and snacks! Yes, there is chemistry in food and beverages!

Ulster County Location: SUNY New Paltz, Coykendall Science Building (3^rd Floor); Host: Dan Freedman 845-257-3795 or freedmad@newpaltz.edu; Directions: From NYS Thruway Exit 18, take Rte. 299 West. Turn left onto Rte. 208. Enter parking lot on left. Walk up to the middle of campus, adjacent to the Library.

Orange (Western) County Location: SUNY Orange Community College (Middletown) in Horton Hall; Host: Pak Leung 845-341-4576 or pleung@sunyorange.edu; Directions: From Rte. 17M West in Middletown turn left onto Fulton Street. Turn left onto Wawayanda Ave. Turn left onto Grandview Ave. Enter parking lot on right. Walk up hill to old stone building with green ceramic tile roof.

Orange (Southern) County Location: NEPERA Inc. at Harriman Elementary School; Host: Iris Sandow 845-782-1200/221 or iris.sandow@cambrex.com; From NYS Thruway Exit 16 proceed to traffic light (you are facing the school). Make first right turn on Rte. 32, then make immediate first left turn into school parking lot.

Dutchess & Orange (Eastern) Counties Location: Bishop Dunn Memorial School Gymnasium; Host: Lynn Maelia 845-569-3131 or maelia@msmc.edu; Directions: From I-84, take 9W South exit (near Newburgh-Beacon Bridge). South of the I-84 overpass, take first left (traffic light) onto North Plank Road. Take first right (traffic light) onto Powell Ave. Enter campus on left and park in last parking lot on left.

Putnam County Location: Austin Road Elementary School; Host: Mary Dery 845-528-0230 or derymary@aol.com. Directions: Take Taconic Parkway to Bryant Pond Road Exit. Go 1/10 mile east on Bryant Pond Road. Turn left onto Wood Street, 1.5 miles to Bullet Hole Road. Turn right onto Bullet Hole Road, then right at stop sign onto Austin Road. Go ¼ mile to school on left.

Tuesday, October 26^th Chemistry College Bowl, Vassar College in Poughkeepsie, Mudd Chemistry Building, 7:00 pm- until the end of the game, Host: Chris Smart; Beverages and dessert will be served. Door prizes. TEAMS OF 4 MUST ENROLL BY 10/15! Singles may be teamed with other singles- call for a team assignment. Participation is for college students only, but others may join in the fun as spectators! 845-437-5730 or jahirkala@vassar.edu; Directions: From NYS Thruway Exit 18 (New Paltz) take 299 East. Turn right onto 9W South. Take exit for Mid-Hudson Bridge into Poughkeepsie. Take Rte. 44/55 East. Turn right onto Raymond Ave. Enter campus on left.

Wednesday, October 27^th Chemistry Magic Show, Vassar College in Poughkeepsie, Mudd Chemistry Building, 3:30-4:30 pm, Host: Stuart Belli; Refreshments will be served. Door prizes. An after-school chemical demonstration for kids (especially ages 8-14 years) and their friends and families! 845-437-5730 or jahirkala@vassar.edu; Directions: From NYS Thruway Exit 18 (New Paltz) take 299 East. Take right onto 9W South. Take exit for Mid-Hudson Bridge into Poughkeepsie. Take Rte. 44/55 East. Turn right onto Raymond Ave. Enter campus on left.

(Please Post)

Text Box: National Chemistry Week-2004
Poster Contest
“Health and Wellness!”

As part of the National Chemistry Week 2004 celebration and in recognition of its theme, "Health and Wellness", the American Chemical Society is sponsoring a poster contest for elementary, middle, and high school students!

Students are invited to create a poster that will serve as a public service announcement stressing chemistry’s role in keeping people healthy and well.

Participants may create a poster that has a health and wellness message for their peers or any other age group.

The Mid-Hudson ACS local section is inviting you to participate in the 2004 NCW unifying event-a national poster contest for K-12 students- by participating in the event at the local level. We offer local section prizes as well as the opportunity to represent our region at the national level.

Winners will be selected in each of the following categories and receive prizes:

· K – 2^nd grade

· 3^rd – 5^th grade

· 6^th – 8^th grade

· 9^th – 12^th grade

Entry Guidelines

· All entries must be original works without aid from others. Draw and illustrate the NCW theme: Health & Wellness!

· Posters must not exceed 14x22 inches in size and NO foamcore!

· Entries must be drawn using crayons, paint, colored pencils or markers.

· Only one entry per student will be accepted.

· All entries must have the following information included on the back of the poster: ACS Mid-Hudson Section, student’s name, grade, home address, telephone number, e-mail, and name of school, science teacher’s name, e-mail, and school telephone number.

· Prizes will be awarded on the local level for 1^st, 2^nd, and 3^rd place in each category.

· First Place posters will be submitted by local sections to the National ACS in Washington, DC and will be displayed during the 229^th ACS national meeting in San Diego, CA, March 13 – 17, 2005. One winner and one honorable mention will be chosen in each category for the national prize. National winners will receive a handheld color TV. National honorable mentions will receive a set of TalkAbout 2-Way radios. Teachers of winning students will receive a “Periodic Table of the Elephants” Poster.

· All posters become the property of the American Chemical Society.

· Acceptance of prizes constitutes consent to use winners’ names, likenesses and entries for editorial, advertising and publicity purposes.

· Entries will be judged based upon: originality, creativity, relevance and incorporation of the NCW theme, visual impact, and neatness.

· Postmark your entry by 10/19/2004 and send to: Michelle Rodden, 91 Lucas Avenue, Kingston, NY 12401. ACS is not responsible for lost or damaged shipments.

For additional information about the contest, contact the American Chemical Society,

Office of Community Activities at 800-227-5558, ext. 6097.

NATIONAL CHEMISTRY WEEK 2004 CHEMISTRY ELEMENTAL PUZZLE CONTEST

For ages 10 to 100!

How’s Your Element IQ? Each sentence below conceals an element from the periodic table spelled out in consecutive letters. Only a true chemist will find them all. Circle the element in each.

· Prizes will be awarded to five randomly chosen entries containing ALL the correct elements circled.

· Entry of puzzle constitutes consent to use winner’s name, likeness, and puzzle entry form for editorial, advertising, and publicity purposes.

· Send and postmark your entries by 10/18/2004 to: ACS Puzzle Contest, C/O Michelle Rodden, 91 Lucas Avenue, Kingston, NY 12401

Your Name: ____________________________________________________ age: _____________

Your home address: ___________________________________________________

________________________ , ___________ _______________

Example: The fir on the corner is blue spruce. (iron)

1. The sunlight illuminated the golden atrium.

2. Since you ran, I umpired the game.

3. On National Public Radio, diners were interviewed about the new restaurant.

4. In a panic, Kelly called the police.

5. Her hiccup rumbled and echoed through the kitchen.

6. Do you have a bat in your belfry?

7. Post your ad on the Internet!

8. JAZZ Incorporated manufactures saxophones.

9. On Vixen, on Donner, on Blitzen!

10. The wolf rambled across the ridge.

11. The corncob altered the look of the Thanksgiving centerpiece.

12. Marlboro nights are cool in the summer because of the location near the river.

13. The plumb umbrella kept the woman in the yellow slicker dry.

14. One on one basketball is a favorite among kids.

15. Margo netted a Yellow Swallowtail butterfly at the lake.

A special THANK YOU! to Christine Casey-Charter and

On Assignment Lab Support for the donation of 250 pairs of safety glasses

for various National Chemistry Week events.

EDUCATORS!

Find important information about National Chemistry Week connections to chemistry and alignment to the National Science Education Standards at www.chemistry.org/ncw.

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