ChemIONS

Polymer based sensors for explosive detection is the one commonly in use nowadays. University of Massachusetts Amherst researchers have created complex molecules containing Zinc, for use in portable sensors that can be employed in sensors detecting explosives.

The commonly used tool for land mine detection today is the hand-held metal detector. Chemical sensors have been investigated for mine detection. For chemical species having favorable spectral properties, remote sensing can be achieved by fluorescence light detection and ranging LIDAR. Nitroaromatic explosives exhibit strong ultraviolet absorption but low fluorescence, thus direct detection is not practical.

Most of the Zinc Metal Complexes are  fluorescent in nature. But they lose this ability when exposed to chemicals contained in plastic explosives. ( commonly reffered as Quenching). Since each of the complexes react by losing different amounts of their fluorescent ability, they can be used to create sensor arrays that produce a different visual display when exposed to different explosives. This differential que

hI Guys

Got a moment? I ll give u some important information. Have you heard of Bispheol A? Are you aware of its negative effects? If u are, thats great! Or otherwise, i ll detail it.

Bisphenol A is a  chemical used in high volume during the production of polycarbonate plastics and some resins.  Polycarbonate plastics are widely employed in food and drink containers. Resins are also used as protective lining in metal food containers and in water supply pipes. 

The problem comes from the finding that BPA can mimic female sex hormone, estradiol.  Studies reveal that a pregnant mom's exposure to BPA can affect the fertility of the female fetus later in her life.  Experiments on rats reveal breast and prostrate tissue abmormalities in offsprings, which may possibly lead to cancer. 

But these results as such may not be applicable to humans, as the in vivo and animal studies involve higher doses of BPA.  But considering its wide exposure in humans on a daily basis, there is some concern about the health effects of BPA, a report of US National Toxicology Program says.  Govt. o

Eventhough im a keen observer of changing trends in chemical industry and research this new research idea came to me only recently. What I feel is this has more potential than superconductivity (allan rov's blog) as far as Chemists are concerned. there has been a lot of discussions going on in Bio-inspired chemistry and RSC arranged some meetings and conferences last year(?).

Maintaing a healthy and clean environment and tackling the increasing fuel and oil prices and decreasing fossil fuel supplies are beeing big manace for scientists. I think we chemists can effectively address these current problems by giving importance to bio-inspired chemistry. There is notion that only solar cells and wind energy is available for tackling these problems. Very few are looking towards Chemistry for alternative energy sources. (ofcourse some university researchers).

Chemists, by understanding the basic processes of some biological models can  create systems that mimic biomolecules and produce energy in an efficient and cost effective manner. This simple idea is nowdays term