Section Groups & Affiliates

Chemical Education Group

Energy Technology Group

Environmental Group

Polymer Group

Pittsburgh Chemist Club

Student Affiliates

WPTAG Affiliates

Return to Main Page

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

 

 

 

 

Return


Energy Technology Group

(Formerly Coal Technology Group)

 

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

 


Upcoming Meeting

The U.S. Department of Energy's Gasification Program

Ronald Breault
U.S. DOE National Energy Technology Laboratory, Morgantown, WV

Thursday, 15 May 2008

Abstract: will speak on the U.S. Department of Energy's Gasification Program, including a quick overview of what gasification is, a summary of the history of gasification and IGCC power, and details of DOE's research program.

Biography: Dr. Breault has over twenty years experience in energy development and is presently the Assistant Gasification Technology Manager at the U.S. DOE’s National Energy Technology Laboratory at Morgantown, WV.  Prior to holding this position, he was a program manager in the Gasification and Combustion Division where he managed advanced technology research projects on gasification, novel warm syngas gas cleaning technologies, systems and device modeling, and hydrogen utilization.  He received his Ph. D. and M.S. in Chemical Engineering from the University of New Hampshire and a B.S. in Chemical Engineering from Clarkson University.  Dr. Breault is also a Director for the Energy Transport Division of the AIChE

Future regular meetings of the Energy Technology Group:

More Restaurant
214 N. Craig St.

Networking
Dinner*
Presentation
 11:30 a.m.
 12:00 noon
    1:00 p.m.

$11 for members; $12 for non-members

Please call Christina Cagney (for Tom Sarkus) for reservations:
[412] 386-4484

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

 

Return


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

 

 

 

Return


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.

Duranti's Restaurant

128 N Craig St.

Parking accessible from Neville St. (One block East of Craig St.)

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

UV-Curing of  Polyester Acrylate
Inorganic/Organic Hybrids

Mark D. Soucek
Department of Polymer Engineering,
University of Akron

20 May 2008

Abstract
Polyester acrylate inorganic/organic hybrids were prepared using either an ex situ or an in situ approach.  For the ex situ approach vinyl or acrylic functionalized alkoxysilanes were used to form  functionalized colloids.  The colloid was formulated into an acrylated polyester (AP), and a radical photoinitiator was added a sol-gel precursor, coupling agent, and reactive diluent then UV-cured.  The tensile and scratch data show that inorganic colliod dramatically increased mechanical and coatings properties. The morphology of films and the particle size were observed using atomic force microscopy (AFM). The data indicated that the average silica particle size was ~ 90 nm and the particles were well-dispersed in the organic phase. It was postulated that the VTMS oligomer functioned effectively as a hyper-branched crosslinder, a surface modifier and reactive diluent.  For an in situ sol-gel approach, a sol gel precursor was formulated with unsaturated polyesters and UV-cured.   The UV-cured inorganic/organic hybrid films exhibited more homogeneous film morphology compared to the organic counterparts. Microgel and inorganic network formation during the UV-initiated free radical crosslinking reactions was suggested to describe the complex gel-point behavior. It was proposed that the formation of the inorganic silicate groups retarded the organic crosslinking reactions. In the hybrid films, a core-shell like inorganic/organic particle morphology was observed. The UV-crosslinked organic phase forms the core, whereas the inorganic silicate forms the surrounding shell.

 

 

 

 

 

Return


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

 

Meetings are held at Duranti's Restaurant
128 N. Craig St.
(Unless noted otherwise)
128 N Craig St.

Parking accessible from Neville St. (One block East of Craig St.)

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

 

The Pardoner's Tale; Things are not What They Seem
°°°°°°°°°°
New and intriguing facts about
phosgene, mustard and cyanide gases

Mark Zattola
U.S. Army Medical Research Institute for Chemical Defense

29 April 2008

Abstract
Chaucer's Canterbury Tale "The Pardoner's Tale" shows that one needs be wary of appearance and snap judgments.  The same warning can be given to chemists.  The chemistry and toxicity of phosgene, mustard and cyanide has been considered to be well known for a very long time.  Based on sound chemical judgment and meager data, the mystery of these compounds was long ago considered to be solved.  However, recent advances have shown that their chemistry and toxicity is markedly different.  Detailed investigation into these toxic compounds using computational and spectroscopic techniques have revealed new and intriguing facts about their chemistry, mechanism of action, and their toxicity.

Biography
Dr. Mark Zottola earned a B.S. in both Mathematics and Chemistry at Marietta College and in 1983 earned his M.S. in synthetic organic chemistry under the late Dr. Conrad Kowalski.   He worked for ICI Pharmaceuticals for several years.  Then in 1988 Mark returned to academic pursuits at Duke University where he received a Ph.D. in both synthetic organic chemistry (Approaches to the Total Synthesis of Tetrodotoxin) and computational chemistry (Effect of Boronated Nucleotides on the Structure and Dynamic Behaviour of Duplex DNA) in 1994.  This latter work produced the first paper and poster on dihydrogen bonds, the chemistry deemed as crucial for fuel cells.  After serving as a consultant to Molecular Simulations Inc. in Boston for 2 years, Mark moved to Birmingham Alabama to work at the Alabama Supercomputer Center as their chemistry analyst.  Mark also was given an adjunct faculty position to the department of computer science.  For over 6 years in addition to his normal work responsibilities, Mark served as mentor for more than 250 local high school students competing in the state-sponsored science fair.  Moving to the Army Research Laboratory at the Aberdeen Proving Ground, he worked there 5 years before moving to the US Army Medical Research Institute for Chemical Defense to join the Cyanide Medical Countermeasures Team.  Mark is currently acting group leader for this effort.  Of all his accomplishments, Mark is most proud of the 250 students he mentored while in Birmingham.  In Mark's opinion, the opportunity to train, encourage and refine young minds is a solemn duty every highly educated individual owes their society and the world.

 

Cocktail Time–Cash Bar
Dinner: ($15.00)
Program
6:00 p.m.
6:45 p.m.
8:00 p.m.

 


 

 

 

 

   

        

Return


Western PennsylvaniaTechnician Affiliates Group (WPTAG)

 

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

Chair-Elect Gerald Lewis [412]-777-4971 [412]-777-7664 gerald.lewis@bayerpolymers.com

 

A few highlights are given below.

For more info click here to link to the WPTAG web site

 

 

Happy 10th Anniversary to WPTAG

The Pittsburgh Section WPTAG has evolved to be one of the best and strongest in the ACS

Click here for the first installment of WPTAG history

 


The Western Pennsylvania Technician Affiliate Group
and
The Bayer Association for Science in Communities

Present

Using Toys Creatively in Chemistry

Michey Sarquis and Lynn Hogue
Center for Chemistry Education
Miami University

25 September 2006

Time:  11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. - Lunch will be provided
Location:  Tonidale Restaurant (Heritage Room)
7001 Steubenville Pike - Oakdale, PA 15071
11:30 

Open to all.  Non members are welcome to attend. 
Please RSVP by September 15, 2006 to:

Abstract
What’s the chemistry of a self-inflating balloon? or a drinking bird? or popular magician’s tricks like putting a needle through a balloon? This presentation will make you smile and may bring out your inner child. See how simple toys and common household items can be used to unlock the mysteries of chemistry. All activities were developed by the Center for Chemistry Education through funding from the National Science Foundation, the Ohio Board of Regents, and Miami University. If you agree that play is learning without punishment, then you’ll also agree that toys are ideal tools for learning science. Toys have the capability of uniting fun, hands-on play with minds-on learning. Feel like a kid again as you explore ways to use toys in your outreach programs, to spice up your classes, or to use with your own kids or grandkids. Become involved in the steps of the scientific method while solving the secrets of the Fortune Teller Miracle Fish. Find out what’s so magic about Magic Sand. Many other toys will be demonstrated. All activities are user friendly, hands-on, highly motivational, and appealing to children no matter what their real age. You’ll never look at toys the same way again.independent and how biofuels can change the energy paradigm of third a world nation like Haiti.

Open to all.  Non members are welcome to attend. 
Please RSVP by September 15, 2006 to:

Bernice Karp, WPTAG Chair
at bernice.karp@kemira.com
or 412-777-2628

or

Deborah Wallace, BASIC Chair
at deborah-m.wallace@bayerbms.com
or 412-777-2779

Click here for an annoucement for posting

 

 

 

 

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 $5.00 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.

 

Return


Student Affiliate Chapters Affiliates

Title Name Telephone FAX E-mail
Coordinator Ted J. Weismann [412]-396-5824 [412]-396-5683 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

Return


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

Return to Top