Section Groups & Affiliates

Chemical Education Group

Energy Technology Group

Environmental Group

Polymer Group

Pittsburgh Chemist Club

Student Affiliates

WPTAG Affiliates

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American Chemical Society
Pittsburgh Section

 

Chemical Education Group

 

Please consult the Section Directory for Contact Information for the Group Officers

 

Programs of the Chemical Education Group the include the Chemistry Olympics, the Chemistry Contest, and a number of Dinner/Lecture meetings throughout the year (click on underline for additional information on these). Please consult an officer of the Chemical Education Group for additional information.

For Group Information, See www.pitt.edu/~chemed

 

 

 

 

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Energy Technology Group

(Formerly Coal Technology Group)

 

Please consult the Section Directory for Contact Information for the Group Officers

 

Upcoming Meeting

Guided Tour of Phipps Conservatory

Led by Richard Piacentinik
Executive Director of Phipps Conservatory

15 May 2009

Tour:
Phipps Conservatory and Botanical Gardens, a 14-room Victorian glasshouse that hosts 200,000 visitors annually, is anchored by the first LEED-certified visitor center in a public garden and the world’s most energy-efficient conservatory.  By staying true to its original mission, Phipps is now one of America’s premier horticultural display conservatories and a recognized leader in green building practices and sustainable operations.  Phipps has become a model for other public gardens around the world and is fast becoming America’s greenest garden.

In place or planned for Phipps Conservatory are a number of significant sustainable energy features including:

  • Net zero energy consumption, with solar photovoltaic panels and maximum use of daylighting
  • Green roof for year-round insulation
  • All water captured onsite, treated and recycled

 These features and more will be included in the tour, which will last approximately one hour.

Some floors are wet and can be slippery.  Comfortable shoes with non-slip soles are recommended.

.

 5:00 PM
Schenley Park, Oakland Section of Pittsburgh
Parking available in the center island and on the street
Dinner on your own at Phipps Café after the tour

Fee: $10 per person; Phipps members free
Spouses and guests welcome


Unless otherwise noted, meetings are held at the
More Restaurant
214 N. Craig St.

Networking
Dinner*
Presentation		  5:30 a.m.
 6:00 noon
 7:00 p.m.

Dinner may be ordered from the menu.


$11 for members; $12 for non-members

Please call Al Mann for reservations:
[412] 661-5947 or alfred.mann@verizon.net

Please respond by the Monday prior to the meeting.

For a link to the Energy Technology Group web site (and possibly more up-to-date info) click here

 

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Environmental Group

 

Please consult the Section Directory for Contact Information for the Group Officers

 

Program information may be obtained on request from the Chair of the group.

Upcoming Meeting

 

 

For lunch reservations please contact Chrisnina Cagney (For Tom Sarkus)
Tel: 724-838-8038, email:  menzt@pitt.edu by Monday prior to Meeting

 

To be announced

 

 

 

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Polymer Group

 

Please consult the Section Directory for Contact Information for the Group Officers

Program Information

The Polymer Group meets the second Wednesday of every month.

 

Social Hour/Posters
Dinner*
Technical Presentation 		5:30 PM
6:30 PM
7:30 PM

* Dinner is $19 for regular members, $11 for retired members, and FREE to students.

For dinner reservations please contact Hongying Zhou (Tel: 412-492-5284; email: zhou@ppg.com) by Monday prior to Meeting

Upcoming Meetings

 

Joint with the Department of Chemistry,
Carnegie Mellon University

Radiation Synthesis of Hydrogels and Characterization
of Their Network Structure

Murat Sen
Hacettepe University, Ankara, Turkey
Visiting Professor at The Rowland Institute at Harvard

21 May 2009

Mellon Institute Social Room (3rd Floor)
Use the Bellefield Av. Entrance to Mellon Institute

Refreshments at Pizza: 
Lecture: 

5:30 pm
6:00 pm

Abstract

Recently hydrogels have found a wide range of applications in the bio-medical field such as controlled drug delivery, replacement for blood vessels, wound dressing, soft tissue substitution, contact lenses and a variety of other related and potential uses. Hydrogels are typically synthesized by one of the two well established procedures: (a) polymerization and simultaneous or post polymerization cross-linking of hydrophilic monomers, and (b) modification of hydrophilization of existing polymers with potential hydrogel properties. The inherent advantages of using high energy radiation in the synthesis of hydrogels for biomedical applications have been reviewed by many researchers. One of the basic parameters describing the structure of a hydrogel network is the molecular weight between cross-links for highly swollen networks.
Topics to be highlighted during the presentation will include recent theoretical and experimental works on the radiation synthesis, characterization and the use of hydrogels containing diprotic acid moieties, earliest and recent theories proposed to calculate the molecular weight between cross-links in a hydrogel. Starting from the basic to advanced experimental techniques on the using of characterization of network structure of hydrogels and determination of polymer-solvent based parameters will also be emphasized.

 

 

 

 

 

 

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Pittsburgh Chemists Club

 

Please consult the Section Directory for Contact Information for the Group Officers

 

The ACS Pittsburgh Chemist Club is Group of the Pittsburgh Section dedicated to service to its retired members, with the following mission statement:

MISSION STATEMENT:

The Pittsburgh Chemists Club of the Pittsburgh Section of the American Chemical Society acts as a networking and social support group for chemists. The Group provides a means for chemists to meet and exchange information concerning chemical developments, employment, and other opportunities. These goals are accomplished through technical and non-technical seminars, site visits, and other educational activities. The group provides a social mechanism for retired members to participate in ACS activities. All others interested in supporting the activities of the Retired Chemists' Group are welcome to affiliate.

Membership in the Pittsburgh Chemists Club is open to all.

Dues to support the Group activities are $5.00 annually, payable to the Group Secretary.

Upcoming Meetings

Program Information

 

Sustainability and Hydrokinetic Energy Harvest

Lisa Mauck Weiland
Mechanical Engineering and Material Science, Univ. Pittsburgh

28 April 2009

Abstract
As part of her NSF Career Program Dr. Weiland is exploring hydrokinetic energy harvest concepts as well as developing an education program that addresses the relationship between sustainability and fundamental thermodynamic principles. Regarding the latter and as noted by Karl-Henrik Robert, the importance of this is rooted in the need to dispel the widespread misconception that sustainability is simply a new word for green. This misconception is problematic because green is ill-defined and frequently riddled with political agendas.. Conversely, sustainability can be defined based on fundamental scientific principles wherein the earth is a system that is closed to mass flows and open to energy flows. Based on scientific principles it is easily demonstrated that current societal norms are not sustainable; it is similarly possible to define the qualities of a sustainable society. After defining sustainability in a thermodynamic context, the talk will include discussion of the potential and challenges of hydrokinetic energy harvest as part of society's transformation to sustainable practices.

Biography
 Lisa Weiland earned a PhD in Mechanical Engineering at Georgia Tech in 2002 and is a 2008 NSF Career Award recipient. She is currently in the tenure stream at the University of Pittsburgh where she is also director of the Mechanics of Active Materials Laboratory. The research conducted in her lab focuses on the experiment and physics-based constitutive modeling of active materials. An active ('smart') material is a material that can transform energy from one domain to another, for instance via piezoelectricity. The goal of research is to understand the multi-scale physics responsible for the "smart' behavior observed in these materials in order to expand viable engineering applications. Applications of particular interest are adaptive structures and sustainable systems.

 

Presentation of 50 Year ACS Membership Awards.
Recognition of 60 Year ACS Pittsburgh section members.

++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

Ion Motion in Gases: Past, Future and Present

Larry Viehland
Department of Chemistry, Chatham University

26 May2009

Abstract
The motion of trace amounts of gases through dilute gases has been studied since at least the 1890's, making it one of the oldest areas of continuous scientific interest.  Some of the very old history of this field will be described.  Attention will then be given to applications that should be of active interest in the near future--ion traps, separation of isotopes of elements near the island of stability, and quantitative probes of the angle- and state-dependent forces between molecular systems.  Finally, the present state of the art in quantitatively testing atomic ion-atom potentials will be described.

Biography
Larry Viehland obtained a B..S. in Chemistry from MIT in 1969, where he performed a senior thesis on the design and construction of a cesium over-charge exchange chamber.  After graduation, he worked as a research assistant at the Los Alamos Scientific Laboratories. Viehland completed a Ph.D. in Physical Chemistry from the University of Wisconsin-Madison in 1973 with thesis work on the effects of external fields on the transport properties of dilute, polyatomic gases. From 1973 to 1977, he conducted full-time research in the Department of Chemistry at Brown University on the mobility and diffusion of gaseous ions, ion cyclotron resonance, and ion-neutral rate coefficients measured under non-equilibrium conditions. From 1978 to 1999, he was on the faculty of Saint Louis University and was chair of an interdisciplinary department providing service courses to engineers.  During this time, he was a Visiting Professor at the University of British Columbia (1987), a Fulbright Senior Scholar in Australia (1988), Visiting Professor at the University of Leiden (1991), and Visiting Professor at the University of Tokushima (1994).  In all of these positions, his main research interest was the development and application of kinetic theories that accurately describe the transport and reaction rate coefficients of ions moving through dilute gases under the influence of electric fields.  A secondary interest was developing and testing ion-neutral interaction potentials. From 1999 until now, Dr. Viehland has been Professor of Chemistry and Chair of the Science Department at Chatham College (now University).  His primary teaching responsibilities are physical chemistry and advanced mathematics courses.  His research has been supported for many years by grants from the National Science Foundation.  He has supervised research by students in chemistry, biology, and mathematics..  A second post-doctoral research has just begun work with him.

 

Venue unless noted otherwise:
More Restaurant, 214 N Craig (near Bayard St)

Social Hour:
    6:00 pm
Dinner:
    6:40 pm
Program:
    7:50 pm

 

For reservations:
Contact Ed Martin by the Friday prio to the meeting.
TEL:  724-335-0904        e-mail: esm@icubed.com

 

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Western PennsylvaniaTechnician Affiliates Group (WPTAG)

 

Please consult the Section Directory for Contact Information for the Group Officers

Contact Michael Mautino [412]-777-4792 [412]-777-7864 michael.mautino@bayerbms.com
 
Mission Statement

The objective of the WPTAG is to promote and broaden the knowledge of chemical technology among its members through meetings, papers, discussions, and publications; to improve the qualifications, usefulness and contributions of its members to their fields of interest, to the employers they represent, and to one another, through high standards of professional ethics, education, and attainments and to work with the ACS, and the Pittsburgh Section thereof, in fulfilling goals of mutual importance.

Programs
Recognition
The Technician of the Year is recognized on the basis of nominations received during the year for chemical laboratory technicians. The award includes a plaque and gift and nomination for the national "Technician of the Year" award. All chemical technicians as defined by the ACS, with a minimum of three years experience, are eligible for nomination. Membership in the ACS, WPTAG, or the ACS’s Division of Chemical Technicians is. Nominations may be made by anyone working in the chemical industry. Contact the Recognition Chair for additional information.

The Outstanding Student of the Year is presented to a member of each graduating class of the Bidwell Training Center Chemical Laboratory program (two classes per year) selected from nominations received from the staff. The award is a plaque, presented either at a graduating ceremony or at a WPTAG general membership meeting.

Publications
WPTAG events and activities are published in the Pittsburgh Section ACS Newsletter The Crucible. Membership in WPTAG provides a subscription to the Pittsburgh Section ACS Newsletter The Crucible. Contact V. Michael Mautino if you are not on the mailing list for The Crucible.

Membership
Membership forms are available from any WPTAG officer. Membership dues are $10.00 per year, payable to WPTAG.
Membership renewals are due by 31 March each year.

WPTAG Goals and Objectives

WPTAG primary goals and objectives are to

  • Promote community awareness of the Technician’s role in the chemical industry.
  • Increase visibility of unique, significant contributions of Technicians.
  • Provide interesting and informative programs.
  • Provide information about training courses to meet the needs of Technicians.
  • Establish networks within the ACS Division of Chemicals Technicians (TECH) and with other TAG’s..
  • Increase recognition of the Technician as a viable career choice.
  • Provide Technicians a network with their peers.

 

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Student Affiliate Chapters Affiliates

Title Name Telephone FAX E-mail
Coordinator   \   none

 

The Pittsburgh Section has a very active group of Student Affiliate Chapters as shown by the list of chapters and their faculty advisors in the table below. An individual Home Page may be available on the Home Page of the relevant institutions. Otherwise, contact either the Section Coordinator or the Faculty Advisor for information on activities of a particular chapter.
 

 

Several Student Affiliate Chapters in the Pittsburgh Section have been recognized for their accomplishments by Awards from the ACS for the 1997-8 academic year, including a record three Outstanding Awards of the twenty four given nationwide:

AMERICAN CHEMICAL SOCIETY
2004-2005

SOCIETY COMMITTEE ON EDUCATION AWARD

Outstanding
University of Pittsburgh (Oakland)
University of Pittsburgh (Titusville)


Commendable
Duquesne University
St. Francis University (Loretto)
St. Vincent College (Latrobe)
Seton Hill University (Greensburg)
Waynesburg College


Honorable Mention
Carlow University
Washington & Jefferson College
Westminster College
West Virginia University (Morgantown)

 

STUDENT AFFILIATE CHAPTERS IN THE PITTSBURGH SECTION

Institution Location Faculty Advisor
Bethany College Bethany WV 26032 Prof. Robert Paysen
Carlow College Pittsburgh PA 15213 Prof. Craig R. Johnson
Carnegie Mellon University Pittsburgh PA 15213 Prof. Gary D. Patterson
Chatham College Pittsburgh PA 15232 Prof. David Robinson
Clarion University of Pennsylvania Clarion PA 16214-1232 Prof. C. Larry Bering
Community College of Allegheny Co. Monroeville PA 15146 Mr. Stephen Dzuranin
Duquesne University Pittsburgh PA 15282 Prof. T.J. Weismann
Geneva College Beaver Falls PA 15010 Prof. John Stahl
Indiana University of Pennsylvania Indiana PA 15205 Prof. Nate McElroy
LaRoche College Pittsburgh PA 15705 Prof. Donald Fujita
Saint Vincent College Latrobe PA 15650-2690 Prof. Caryl Fish
Seton Hill College Greensburg PA 15601 Prof. Susan Yochum, SC
Slippery Rock University Slippery Rock PA 16057 Prof. Cyril E. Sagan
St. Francis College Loretto PA 15940-0600 Dr. Edward Zovinka
University of Pittsburgh at Johnstown Johnstown PA 15904 Prof. Richard Ulsh
University of Pittsburgh Pittsburgh PA 15260 Prof. George Bandik
University of Steubenville Steubenville OH 43952 Prof. J.L. Slater
Washington and Jefferson College Washington PA 15301 Prof. Linda A. Pallack
Waynesburg College Waynesburg PA 15370 TBA
Wheeling College Wheeling WV 26003 Prof. Hungsun Song

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Maintained by G. C. Berry.
Please forward suggestions for the improvement of this page via e-mail to:
gcberry@andrew.cmu.edu

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