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'Some Assembly Required' |
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| 3-D structure of a conical dendron (top),
12 of which self-assemble into an 8,500-atom spherical dendrimer,
shown in simplified form constructed from cones (middle) and
in its detailed schematic structure (bottom). Photo Credit:
Virgil Percec, University of Pennsylvania |
New Molecular
Self-Assembly Technique May Mimic How Cells Assemble Themselves
Researchers from the University of Pennsylvania and the University
of Sheffield report in the Feb. 21 issue of Science that
they have created tree-like molecules that assemble themselves into
precisely structured building blocks of a quarter-million atoms.
Such building blocks may be precursors to designing nanostructures
for molecular electronics or photonics materials, which “steer”
light in the same way computer chips steer electrons. Virgil Percec,
the P. Roy Vagelos Chair and Professor of Chemistry at the University
of Pennsylvania, and his colleagues also provide chemists with pointers
for designing variations of the tree-like molecules to form even
larger-scale structures.
More... (posted
February 24, 2003)
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NSF-Supported
Researcher William R. Hammer to Lecture on Jurassic Dinosaurs from
Antarctica; NSF Will Webcast Live
The National Science Foundation will webcast a lecture on “Dinosaurs
on Ice: Jurassic Dinosaurs from Antarctica” by William R. Hammer
on February 26. During the 1990-91 Antarctic field season, Hammer,
an NSF-funded researcher, discovered the remains of Cryolophosaurus
ellioti, or "frozen crested reptile." His paper describing
the extinct creature was published in the journal Science
in 1994. The lecture coincides with an exhibit and symposium, “Revelations
on Ice - Shackleton’s Legacy: Antarctica Today,” at the Maryland
Science Center. The live web cast will make the event available
to anyone with Internet access. Web viewers will need a RealPlayer
Plug-in that can be downloaded for free. The lecture and web cast
will begin at 10:30 am, eastern time.
More... (posted
February 24, 2003)
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| Photo courtesy: Dr. John Marr |
Researchers
Will No Longer Be "Snowed" in Predicting Future Avalanches; Study
of variations in snow stability over geography and time are key,
scientists say
The recent deaths of 14 Canadian skiers in two separate snow avalanches
in British Columbia have increased attention on safety issues, but
some U.S. scientists are turning their focus elsewhere - to studying
the properties of snow stability that could lead to more accurate
means of predicting avalanche events. Montana State University professor
of geography Kathy Hansen has received a $160,000 National Science
Foundation grant to do a comprehensive study of snow stability over
space and time. Revealing some of the true properties and behaviors
of snow could lead to better predictions of potential avalanches
in the western United States as well as in the alpine regions of
the world, she contends.
More... (posted
February 24, 2003)
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NSF,
Science Journal Announce Science Visualization Contest
The National Science Foundation and the journal Science
are now accepting entries for the inaugural 2003 Science and Engineering
Visualization Challenge. This new international contest will recognize
outstanding achievement by scientists, engineers, and visual information
practitioners in the use of visual media to promote understanding
of research results. Winning selections will be featured in a special
section of Science's Sept. 12 edition and winners will
receive an expense-paid trip to the foundation for its "Art of Science
Project" exhibit and accompanying lecture.
More... (posted
February 24, 2003)
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