Polymers Part I

Polymers are fascinating molecules, of commercial and environmental significance.  Modern polymer chemistry reflects an incredible diversity of reactions, functions and structures, most of which defies traditional classification.  In their simplest form, polymers are molecules made up of many repeating units called monomers, similar to how a necklace might be made of different beads.   Polymers and [...]

February 26th, 2010 | Category: Chemistry, polymer | Leave a comment

Between Hell and High Water

The second semester is harder than the first.  The first semester is spent trying to get ‘back in’ to term time, teaching and the minor traumas that characterise the students being back.  With more time to prepare before the semester and the advantages of being well rested, the first semester is  a long hard slog till [...]

February 25th, 2010 | Category: Academia Nuts | 3 comments

Reality Chemistry

The depressing proliferation of reality tv shows continues, interspersed with the odd stunning documentary such as the BBC/Jim Al-Khalili’s ‘Chemistry – a Volatile History‘  or the BBC/Iain Stewart ‘How the Earth Made Us‘.  We’ll not read anything into the choice of channels for the two programs – BBC 4 for the former, BBC2 for the latter. [...]

February 21st, 2010 | Category: Chemistry | 2 comments

Why do you blog?

Steffi Suhr who blogs at Behind the Scenes has resurrected a blog meme that did the rounds  last year.  She’s encouraging as many bloggers to take part as possible, and after the recent blogwarz, is hoping that it will lead to better understanding and more tolerance between blogging communities.  Well I’m just going to assume that [...]

February 4th, 2010 | Category: Blog Theory, social media | 2 comments

Conferences Part III

I thought I’d follow up my two conference posts by talking briefly about a couple of conferences that I think get it right in terms of participation and keeping that ‘conference vibe’ going after the event itself.

These two conferences generally follow the ‘unconference format’ where some or all of the sessions are proposed at the conference [...]

February 2nd, 2010 | Category: Academia Nuts, Science Online, social media | 5 comments