American Chemical Society

Division of Physical Chemistry

(PHYS)

Fall 1999

Newsletter




 
OFFICERS
Chair (8/98-99) Geraldine Richmond
Department of Chemistry, University of Oregon
210 Willamette Hall
Eugene, OR 97403
(541) 346-4635, fax (541) 346-5859
richmond@oregon.uoregon.edu

Vice-Chair (8/98-99) Daniel Neumark
University of California, Department of Chemistry
237 Hildebrand
Berkeley, CA 94720
(510) 642-3502, fax (510) 642-6262
dan@radon.cchem.berkeley.edu

Secretary-Treasurer (8/96-01) Mark Gordon
Department of Chemistry, Iowa State University
201 Spedding Hall
Ames, IA 50011
(515) 294-0452, fax (515) 294-5204 
mark@si.fi.ameslab.gov

Chair-Elect (8/98-99) George Schatz
Department of Chemistry, Northwestern University
2145 Sheridan Road
Evanston, IL 60208-3113
(847) 491-5657, fax (847) 491-7713
schatz@chem.nwu.edu

Vice-Chair-Elect (8/98-99) Richard M. Stratt
Department of Chemistry, Brown University
324 Brooke Street
Providence, RI 02912
(401) 863-3418, fax (401) 863-2594
richard_stratt@brown.edu

Past Chair (8/98-99) Ellen B. Stechel
Ford Motor Company
PO Box 2053, MD 3028/SRL
Dearborn, MI 48121-2053
(313) 248-5635, fax (313) 322-7044
estechel@ford.com

EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE
Julia E. Rice (98-2001) IBM

John Simon (96-99) Duke University

Anthony Dean (97-2000) Exxon

David W. Chandler (98-2001) Sandia Nat'l Lab

Paul Houston (96-99) Cornell University

Anne M. Chaka (97-2000) The Lubrizol Corp.

COUNCILORS
Alvin L. Kwiram (97-99) Univ. of Washington

Edward M. (Ted) Eyring (97-99) Univ. of Utah

Michael Bowers (99-2001) Univ. of California, SB

Thom H. Dunning, Jr. (98-2000) PNNL

ALTERNATE COUNCILORS
Joseph M. Jasinski (99-2001) IBM Research

Ron Levy (97-99) Rutgers University

Gregory Voth (97-99) University of Utah

A. Welford Castleman, Jr. (98-2000) Penn. State

BIOPHYSICAL SUBDIVISION
Chair (8/98-99) Robin M. Hochstrasser
Dept. of Chemistry, Univ. of Pennsylvania
Philadelphia, PA 19104-6323 (215) 898-8410
hochstra@sas.upenn.edu
Vice-Chair (8/98-99) William A. Eaton
Lab of Chem. Physics, NIDDK, NIH
Bethesda, MD 20892-0520 (301) 496-6030
eaton@helix.nih.gov
Chair-Elect (8/98-99) Eric Oldfield
Department of Chemistry, Univ. of Illinois
Urbana, IL 61801 (217) 333-3374
eo@chad.scs.uiuc.edu

Secretary (8/94-99) Gerald T. Babcock
Dept. of Chemistry, Michigan State University
East Lansing, MI 48824 (517) 355-9715 x257
babcock@cemvax.cem.msu.edu

THEORETICAL SUBDIVISION
Chair (8/98-99) Richard M. Stratt
Department of Chemistry, Brown University
Providence, RI 02912 (401) 863-3418
richard_stratt@brown.edu
Vice-Chair (8/98-99) Susan C. Tucker
Dept. of Chemistry, Univ. of California-Davis
Davis, CA 95616 (530) 752-2203
sctucker@ucdavis.edu
Chair-Elect (8/98-99) Kenneth D. Jordan
Department of Chemistry, University of Pittsburgh
Pittsburgh, PA 15260 (412) 624-8690
jordan@a.psc.edu

Secretary (8/95-99) Michael Page
Department of Chemistry, North Dakota State Univ. Fargo, ND 58105 (701) 231-8291
page@plains.nodak.edu


Remarks from the Chair for the New Orleans ACS National Meeting, August 1999


Geraldine Richmond

"Some Like it Hot", seems an appropriate theme for the Fall 1999 Meeting, whether one is referring to New Orleans in August, cajun creole, or the great Physical Chemistry Division program that George Schatz has organized. A symposium entitled Modern Electronic Structure Theory: Celebrating the 1998 Nobel Prize in Chemistry will highlight the state of the art in electronic structure methods. John Pople will give a talk on Wednesday afternoon as part of this symposium. There are a number of other exciting symposia which include: Chromophore Aggregates; Water and Water Clusters; Chemical Waves, Fronts and Patterns; Imaging in Chemical Dynamics; and Electronically Nonadiabatic Processes in Gaseous, Cluster and Condensed Media. Symposia cosponsored with other divisions include: Nonlinear Optical Materials (joint with COMP); First Accomplishments of the Environmental Management Science Program (joint with NUCL); and Chemistry of Reactive Intermediates and Modeling in Hydrocarbon Conversion (joint with FUEL). A general poster session will be held on Wednesday evening. Come and join us at these symposia as some of the hottest topics in Physical Chemistry are discussed. Attendance at these symposia generates revenue for the Division, revenue that is critical to supporting many of the important functions of the Division including travel awards for graduate students to ACS meetings.

The Division of Physical Chemistry is comprised of members who span a broad range of interests in the general area of physical chemistry. If you have not yet joined, I encourage you and your colleagues, students and peers to become a part of it. Revenue generated by the membership dues goes towards many valuable activities of the Division. Membership application forms can be found on the Division web page (see below). The Physical Division has two vigorous subdivisions for theoretical and biophysical chemistry. Richard Stratt and Robin Hochstrasser are the respective Chairs of these subdivisions. Membership in the subdivisions is free for anyone who is already a member of the Division of Physical Chemistry. We particularly encourage graduate students to join ACS and the Division while they are students. The cost of membership is low for students and the benefits are significant. One of the most important ways that all members can contribute to the Division is in playing a role in programming of future symposia at National ACS meetings. With your suggestions you can take an active role in guaranteeing the breadth and depth of these symposia. Current members can forward suggestions to Division Secretary Mark Gordon (mark@si.fi.ameslab.gov). Please include the names of potential organizers as well as possible speakers with your suggestions. Remember that the Program Chairs for the Division operate with a 1-2 year lead time for most symposia. In making your suggestions consider topics timely for the years 2000 and 2001. So join up and join in to help us provide the best programs for the future. For additional information about the Division symposia for this year and future years, as well as other information about the Physical Division, please consult our web page at http://hackberry.chem.niu.edu/PHYS.

One effort that the PHYS division has been involved in during the past two years has been to strengthen the communication between physical chemists and the Chemistry NSF staff. For the last two ACS National meetings, two members of the executive committee have joined with representatives from other divisions to talk with Chemistry Division director Janet Osteryoung and several of the program officers. In our discussions at the meeting in Anaheim, an issue arose that needs attention by our physical chemistry community. The issue involves finding competent scientists to be Program Officers at NSF, either on a permanent or temporary basis. The Chemistry Division at NSF has had a history of capable program officers and it is the responsibility of our community to assure that this continues. If any of you are interested in spending a year in the Chemistry Division at NSF as a rotator, next year or in any year in the forseeable future, I encourage you to contact Janet Osteryoung or any of the other NSF Program Officers in the Chemistry Division. Most chemists who have participated in the rotation system believe that it was a very worthwhile and educational experience. I encourage you to consider this seriously or mention it to any other colleagues who might be interested.

Finally let me end with stating what an honor it has been to be associated with Division of Physical Chemistry as Program Chair and now as Chair. It has been a great experience working with those on the executive board and all of those who have been involved in symposia. The field of physical chemistry is comprised of an exceptionally talented group of individuals, from the students who have given their first presentation at a National ACS meeting, to the wonderful collection of Nobel Laureates who have spoken in our plenary sessions. It is invigorating to attend our symposia and see what an important role the discipline of physical chemistry plays in so many existing and emerging fields of science today. It is the depth of knowledge and the breadth of application of this knowledge that makes and will continue to keep physical chemistry as a central discipline in the physical sciences. As I pass the torch to my successors, George Schatz (Program Chair ‘99), Dan Neumark (Program Chair ’00) and Rich Stratt (Program Chair ’01) I am confident that there will be many more exciting activities and symposia in the future. I would be remiss if I did not acknowledge the invaluable work of Secretary-Treasurer Mark Gordon and his administrative assistant Kris Hinders. Steve Bachrach deserves the thanks and credit for the web page. I also extend my gratitude to my predecessors, Mark Ratner, George Flynn and Ellen Stechel for all of their helpful advice.


Notes from the Secretary-Treasurer


Mark Gordon

This newsletter contains information about the ACS national meetings and any other items of interest to significant numbers of PHYS division members. All members of the PHYS division are welcome to submit items to the Secretary for inclusion in the newsletter. The deadlines are generally around December 1 and May 1 for the newsletters appearing before the Spring and Fall ACS meetings, respectively. Submissions may be made via mail, FAX or e-mail.


Election Information


Dear PHYS Division Member:

Attached you will find approval ballots for the positions of Councilor and Alternate Councilor as required by ACS bylaws. These positions are for the years indicated on the ballot. Brief biographical material for all the candidates is also attached for your information.

The Bylaws of the Division of Physical Chemistry, approved in 1977, call for the Division Chair to appoint a three person nominating committee before the spring meeting. A complete slate of candidates prepared by this committee will consist of one candidate for Vice-Chair-Elect, one candidate for each of two vacancies on the Executive Committee, and one candidate for each vacancy that may have developed in the ranks of the division Councilors, Alternate Councilors, and Secretary-Treasurer position. The Vice-Chair-Elect automatically becomes the Vice-Chair, Chair-Elect, Chair, and Immediate Past-Chair in each succeeding year. Thus this person makes a commitment to serve five years on the Executive Committee. In the year this person serves as Chair-Elect the duties of Program Chair are also his or hers. The term of office for other Executive Committee members, Councilors, and Alternate Councilors is three years. The Secretary-Treasurer serves five years.

The Secretary-Treasurer is required to announce the slate of candidates in the fall newsletter (which is part of the abstract separates for the fall meeting).

To increase the input of the members in this nominating process and to broaden the pool of candidates, the executive committee seeks input directly from members for use by the nominating committee. Any member may suggest nominees to any of the officers of the PHYS division in writing. The nominee must agree to serve.

Additional nominations can come from the membership in the following fashion: A petition candidate must be supported by the signatures of not fewer than 4% of the members of the PHYS division in good standing (presently approximately 3,000). No signature shall be valid if it appears on more than one nominating petition for the same vacancy during the same calendar year.

A letter shall be submitted from each petition nominee stating willingness to be a candidate for election and to serve the Division for a full term if elected. No nominee may be a candidate for more than one vacancy. If nominated for more than one vacancy, the nominee must choose which nomination to accept.

Four weeks from the date of the mailing of the fall newsletter shall be allowed for additional nominations to be received by the Secretary-Treasurer. All valid nominations received within that period shall be accepted, and no others.

If no valid nominations are forthcoming from the membership, the nominees submitted by the Nominating Committee for Vice-Chair-Elect, Secretary-Treasurer and membership on the Executive Committee are declared elected.

Regardless of whether petition nominees are validated or not, the Bylaws require the Secretary-Treasurer to mail to every PHYS division member a ballot that bears at a minimum the names and biographical sketches of the single candidates for each Councilor and Alternate Councilor vacancy submitted by the Nominating Committee.

This year the Nominating Committee consisted of Ellen Stechel, John Simon and Richard Cavanagh. They submitted the following slate of candidates:

Vice-Chair-Elect
John C. Hemminger
(succeeding Richard Stratt)

Executive Committee
Alexander L. Harris
(succeeding Paul Houston)

Executive Committee
Steven A. Buntin
(succeeding John Simon)

Councilor
Edward M. (Ted) Eyring
(succeeding Edward Eyring)

Councilor
Alvin L. Kwiran
(succeeding Alvin Kwiram)

Alternate Councilor
Paul L. Houston
(succeeding Ron Levy)

Alternate Councilor
Gregory A. Voth
(succeeding Gregory Voth)

Biographical sketches of all the nominees follow. A ballot for the Councilor and Alternate Councilor positions is included immediately thereafter on a tear-out page.








JOHN C. HEMMINGER, Vice Chair Elect

Born 1949. B.S. in Chemistry (1971) University of California-Irvine, Ph.D. in Chemical Physics (1976) Harvard University, NSF Postdoctoral Research Associate (1976-1978) UC Berkeley and Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory.

Assistant Professor, University of California-Irvine (1978-1984), Associate Professor, University of California-Irvine (1984-1987), Professor , University of California-Irvine (1987-present), Director, Institute for Surface and Interface Science (1987-1993), Chair, Department of Chemistry, University of California-Irvine (1993-1996).

Alfred P. Sloan Research Fellow. Fellow of the American Physical Society (Elected, 1993), Fellow of the American Vacuum Society (Elected, 1998), Alexander von Humboldt Senior Awardee, 1998.

Visiting Professor in Materials Science, ETH, Zurich, 1998.

Research Interests: Chemistry and Physics of vacuum/solid, gas/solid and liquid/solid interfaces. The development of experimental probes for the analysis of the molecular composition of monolayers both in terms of molecular identification and quantification. The study of the correlations between spatial arrangements of molecules in monolayers and the kinetics of surface reactions. The development of techniques for the observation and control of molecular arrangements on the mesoscopic scale. The applications of fundamental surface chemistry and physics to problems in catalysis, atmospheric chemistry, semiconductor processing and ultrathin film growth.
 
 

ALEXANDER L. HARRIS, Executive Committee

Born 1954. B.A. (1978) Swarthmore College; Ph.D. (1985) University of California-Berkeley.

Member of Technical Staff (1985-1993), AT&T Bell Laboratories; Distinguished Member of Technical Staff (1994-1995), AT&T Bell Laboratories; Technical Manager (1995-1996), Bell Laboratories, Lucent Technologies; Department Head (1996-present), Materials Chemistry Research, Bell Laboratories, Lucent Technologies.

Research Interests: Current interests are in materials chemistry applied to photonics applications, particularly in polymer and silica-based materials for holographic data storage media and waveguide devices. Related interests in materials characterization by vibrational spectroscopies (IR, near-IR, Raman confocal microscopy.) Other research areas have included investigation of surface-adsorbate chemical dynamics by ps/fs ultrashort pulses, surface structure and dynamics studied by nonlinear optical vibrational spectroscopy and surface Raman spectroscopy, and development of on-line production process monitoring tools and new production processes in optical fiber manufacture.

Member: ACS, APS, OSA, AAAS

Alex Harris has co-authored approximately 45 publication in the areas of holographic materials and data storage, ultrashort pulse laser investigations of chemical dynamics, and surface nonlinear optics, and currently holds two patents in materials and processing for photonics applications.

STEVEN A. BUNTIN, Executive Committee

Born 1958. B.S. (1980) University of Delaware, Ph.D. (1987) University of Minnesota

National Research Council/National Bureau of Standards Postdoctoral Research Associate (1987-1989), Postdoctoral Research Associate (1989-1990) University of Maryland. Research Chemist, National Institute of Standards and Technology (1990-1999); Group Leader, Surface Dynamical Processes Group, National Institute of Standards and Technology (1999-present).

Research Interests: Dynamics of surface reactions, laser-induced nonthermal excitation of surface processes, mechanisms and dynamics of radical reactions with surfaces, energy transfer and accommodation in collisions of atomic and molecular radicals with well-characterized clean and adsorbate-covered surfaces, surface reactions relevant to plasma processing of advanced materials.

Member: ACS, AVS

EDWARD M. (TED) EYRING, Councilor

Born 1931. B.S. (1955) University of Utah, Ph.D. (1960) University of Utah

NSF Postdoctoral Fellow (1960-1961), University of Goettingen. Assistant Professor, University of Utah (1961-65), Associate Professor, University of Utah (1965-1968), Professor, University of Utah (1968 to date), Chair, Department of Chemistry, University of Utah (1973-76, 1984-85), Associate Dean, College of Science, University of Utah (1993-96), John Simon Guggenheim Fellow (1982-83).

Research Interests: Application of experimental physical chemical techniques such as flash photolysis spectroscopy to the investigation of rates and mechanisms of reactions of proteins encapsulated in xerogel and bathed in supercritical carbon dioxide. Also the conversion of syngas to oxygenated fuel additives that diminish pollutants emitted by automobiles.

Member: ACS, AAAS, SAS

Ted Eyring has co-authored approximately 250 publications in the fields of experimental physical chemistry and analytical spectroscopy.

ALVIN L. KWIRAM, Councilor

Born 1937. B.A., B.S. (1958) Walla Walla College, Ph.D. (1963) California Institute of Technology.

Alfred A. Noyes Instructorship, California Institute of Technology (1962-1963), Research Associate, Stanford University (1963-1964), Instructor, Harvard University (1964-1967), Lecturer Harvard University (1967-1970), Associate Professor, University of Washington (1970-1975), Professor, University of Washington (1975-present), Chair, Department of Chemistry, University of Washington (1977-1987), Vice Provost, University of Washington (1987-1988), Senior Vice Provost, University of Washington (1988-1990), Vice Provost for Research, University of Washington (1990-present), Visiting Professor, University of Stuttgart (1985-1986).

Research Interests: Magnetic resonance studies -- molecular structure of organic molecules in the solid state using ESR, ENDOR, NQR, ODMR and similar techniques.

Member: AAAS, ACS, APS, Sigma Xi, Council for Chemical Research

Fellow: American Association for the Advancement of Science, American Physical Society

Alvin Kwiram has published over 70 papers in the field of physical chemistry.

PAUL L. HOUSTON,Alternate Councilor

Born 1947. B. A. (1969) Yale University, Ph.D. (1973) M.I.T.

Postdoctoral Research Associate (1973-1975), U. California-Berkeley; Assistant Professor (1975-1981), Associate Professor (1981-1985), Professor (1985-present), Chair (1997-present), Cornell University. Visiting Scientist, Max Planck Institute for Quantum Optics (1982), Visiting Professor, Columbia University (1986, 1987), Visiting Scientist, Institute for Molecular Science, Okazaki, Japan (1989). Alfred P. Sloan Research Fellow (1979-1981)

Camille and Henry Dreyfus Teacher Scholar Award (1980), J. Simon Guggenheim Fellow (1986-1987), Senior Editor, The Journal of Physical Chemistry (1991-1997); ACS Committee on Professional Training, Visiting Associate (1989-1994); ACS Division of Physical Chemistry Executive Committee (1996-1999); APS Division of Laser Science, Vice-Chair (1995-1996), Chair-Elect (1996-1997), Chair (1997-1998); Brookhaven Science Associates, Brookhaven National Laboratories Science and Technology Steering Committee (1998-present).

Research Interests: Reaction kinetics of molecules in selected vibrational and electron states, laser induced chemical reactions, photodissociation, energy transfer, gas/solid interactions.

Member: ACS, APS, OSA, Sigma Xi, Alpha Chi Sigma, AAAS, NYAS

Paul Houston has co-authored approximately 125 papers concerning the dynamics of molecular reactions.

GREGORY A. VOTH,Alternate Councilor

Born 1959. B.S. (1981) University of Kansas, Ph.D. (1987) California Institute of Technology.

IBM Postdoctoral Research Fellow, University of California-Berkeley (1987-1989); Assistant Professor, University of Pennsylvania (1989-1994); Associate Professor, University of Pennsylvania (1994-1996); Professor of Chemistry and Director of the Henry Eyring Center for Theoretical Chemistry, University of Utah (1997-present).

Procter and Gamble Award, American Chemical Society, 1985; McCoy Award, California Institute of Technology, 1986; Clauser Doctoral Prize, California Institute of Technology, 1987; Dreyfus New Faculty Award, 1989; Packard Foundation Fellowship, 1990-95; NSF Presidential Young Investigator, 1991-96; Sloan Fellow, 1992-94; Dreyfus Teacher-Scholar Award, 1994-1999; IBM Faculty Research Award, 1997-99; Elected Fellow of the American Physical Society, 1997.

Research Interests: Theories of condensed phase dynamical processes, proton and hydride transfer reactions in biological and solution phase systems, high performance computer simulation and modeling, interfacial charge transfer phenomena at metal and semiconductor electrodes, dynamics of atoms and molecules on metal and semiconductor surfaces, structure and dynamics of impurities in low temperature solids

Member: ACS, APS, Biophysical Society, AAAS

Greg Voth has co-authored approximately 120 publications.
 


Theoretical Subdivision


Theoretical Chemistry News is mailed semiannually to all members of the Theoretical Chemistry Subdivision. It includes news of symposia at national meetings as well as information about the Theoretical Chemistry Postdoctoral Position Clearinghouse.

Subdivision membership is free to dues-paying members or affiliates of the Division of Physical Chemistry. To join the Theoretical Subdivision notify the secretary, Michael Page, at the address in the table of officers. Indicate that you wish to join and mention that you belong to the PHYS division. If you do not belong to the Division, you may join both the Division and the Theoretical Chemistry Subdivision by completing the application form at the end of this newsletter.


Biophysical Subdivision


In response to member feedback, the Biophysical Subdivision was formed to support the growing number of physical chemists who study biological systems.

Subdivision membership is free to dues-paying members or affiliates of the Division of Physical Chemistry. To join the Biophysical Subdivision, notify the secretary, Gerald Babcock, at the address in the table of officers. Indicate that you wish to join and mention that you belong to the PHYS division. If you do not belong to the Division, you may join both the Division and the Biophysical Subdivision by completing the application form at the end of this newsletter.


Request for Symposia Topics and Speakers


The Executive Committee has been soliciting formal suggestions for symposia and speakers for the meetings to be held in three years. These suggestions will be essential input for organizing the programs of the meetings. For greatest effectiveness, follow these suggestions:

a) Recommend a symposium topic, organizer and list of suggested speakers. (A list of all PHYS symposia since 1996 appears on the following pages for information purposes.)

b) Provide a brief description of the significance of the symposium.

Numerous symposiums in 2000 have been accepted based upon these suggestions.

The deadline for receipt of suggestions is February 1, 2000. (Address these to the Secretary/Treasurer, Mark S. Gordon, at the address in the table of officers.) The Executive Committee will meet in San Francisco in March to plan the programs for 2002.

Recent Symposia Topics

212th ACS National Meeting

Orlando, FL

August 25-29, 1996

Experimental and Theoretical Approaches to Supercooled Liquids: Advances and Novel Applications.
Bimolecular Interactions of Small Free Radicals 
Highly Excited States: Relaxation, Reactions and Structure 
Hyperthermal Energy Molecule/Surface Reactions 
Performance of Quantum Chemical and Molecular Modeling Codes for Complex Chemical Systems 
100 Years of Physical Chemistry: A Celebration of the Birthday of the Journal of Physical Chemistry
213th ACS National Meeting

San Francisco, CA

April 13 - 17, 1997

Frontiers in Electronic Structure Theory
Chemistry of Single Molecules
Kinetics of Growth of Surfaces
Symposium Honoring the Memory of Professor Brian E. Bent
Dynamics of Complex Systems: Peter Debye Award Symposium
Nanostructured Materials: Clusters, Composites & Thin Films
Orientation and Alignment in Chemical Processes
New Concepts in Surface Chemistry: Diffusive Motion of Atoms & Molecules on Surfaces
214th ACS National Meeting

Las Vegas, NV

September 7-11, 1997

Biophysical Chemistry
Dynamics in Molecular Systems
Heterogeneous & Homogeneous Processes in the Atmosphere
Radiation Chemistry
Structure & Dynamics at Liquid Interfaces
Self-Assembling Thin Film Materials - Organized Multilayered Systems / Nanoscale and Patterned Assemblies
215th ACS National Meeting

Dallas, TX

March 29-April 2, 1998

Kinetics of Combustion Processes
Electron Transfer
Molecular Structure and Reactivity in Supercritical Fluids
Structure and Dynamics of Amorphous Materials and Glasses
Large Scale Electronic Structure Methods and Novel Applications
Water at Surfaces
Electrochemistry at Nanostructured Materials
Device Applications of Nanoscale Material
216th ACS National Meeting

Boston, MA

August 23-27, 1998

Special Topics in High Resolution Spectroscopy
Structure and Reactivity of Complex Metal Oxide
A Celebration of 20 Years of the Subdivision of Theoretical Chemistry
Physical Properties of Polymeric Materials and Molecular Thin Films
Innovations in Teaching Physical Chemistry Concepts and Courses
Molecular and Supramolecular Photochemistry and Photophysics
Biophysical Program: Oxygen Activation in Metalloenzymes
Biophysical Program: Frontiers of Theory in Biophysical Chemistry
Biophysical Program: Ultrafast Protein Responses
217th ACS National Meeting

Anaheim, CA

March 21-25, 1999

Liquids and interfaces (in honor of Doug Henderson)
Free radicals in condensed phases
Unimolecular reactions and intramolecular dynamics
Physical chemistry of sol-gel materials
Frontiers of statistical mechanics: in honor of Ben Widom
Linear conjugated polyenes: A celebration of the scientific career of Bryan Earl Kohler
Structures of electrochemical interfaces by new spectroscopic probes and approaches


Autumn Meeting Technical Program

The 218th American Chemical Society National Meeting will take place in New Orleans, LA during the week of August 22-26, 1999. Dr. George Schatz, 1999 Physical Chemistry Division Program Chair, has arranged for a broad range of topics in modern physical chemistry to be featured in symposia and a general poster session at this meeting. The topical symposia and their organizers are: Co-sponsored Symposia

Very Important Notice

A significant portion of the Division’s annual income is provided by the ACS, based in part on Division members’ attendance at the national meetings. On the advance meeting registration form you will see a question such as that given below. If you list the Physical Division, you will contribute to our income and allow the Division to offer better symposia. "Please list ALL of the division(s) to which you belong:"


Spring Meeting Call for Papers

San Francisco, CA, March 26-31, 2000


Program Chair: Daniel Neumark, Department of Chemistry, University of California-Berkeley, CA 94720, (510) 642-3502, FAX (510) 642-6262, dan@radon.cchem.berkeley.edu.

Physical Chemistry in the 21st Century

A special symposium to mark the turn of the century will be organized by the 2000 Program Chair, Daniel M. Neumark, University of California, Berkeley. The symposium will consist of invited presentations; contributed abstracts are not requested at this time.

Co-sponsored symposium (co-listed by PHYS)
  • A Surface Chemistry Symposium Honor of Professor Gabor Somorjai (sponsored by the Colloids & Surface Division), Francisco Zaera, University of California-Riverside, francisco.zaera@ucr.edu; Michel Van Hove, Lawrence Berkeley National Lab, MAVanHove@lbl.gov

  • Submit your abstract on-line via OASys by November 1, 1999. Please see the following page for more information. The on-line system (OASys) can be found via the ACS webpage:

    http://www.acs.org/meetings/abstract/abinfo.html

    As is now customary, Program Chair Neumark has arranged for the presentation of contributed talks in each of the topical symposia. The contributed talks will be selected by the individual symposium organizers from among abstracts submitted for the poster sessions that explicitly request consideration for oral presentation. The criterion for selection will be close connection with the topics addressed in the symposia. Abstracts not selected for oral presentation will be assigned to the poster sessions, unless the authors request otherwise.

    The individual organizers of each of the topical symposia will select contributions from those that specifically request an oral presentation. Since the organizers will not be able to accommodate all requests, the poster sessions will be specifically organized to group posters by symposium topic. While the symposia do cover a wide range of topics, they cannot cover the full depth and breadth of physical chemistry. The division welcomes general contributions to the poster sessions, which will be grouped by subject area.


    Submission of Abstracts


    Important notes for all contributed papers for presentation at the San Francisco meeting, in either the topical symposia or the general poster session
     
     

    H New Abstract Submission Requirements H

    All abstracts must be submitted using OASys, the new Web-based abstract submittal system, for San Francisco (Spring 2000) and beyond. Details about and access to this system, may be obtained at:

    http://www.acs.org/meetings/abstract/abinfo.html.



    Abstract requirements:

    Submit 150 word abstract via the ACS web-based submission form. Additional information on abstract requirements can be found at the ACS Web site, http://www.acs.org/meetings/abstract/abinfo.html.
     

    Request for oral presentation:

    Authors who submit a contributed paper to the program and wish their abstracts to be considered for possible oral presentation in a topical symposium must indicate such preference. The abstract should be submitted to the symposium in which oral presentation is desired, and are due one week prior to the deadline.


    Restrictions on Speakers for PHYS Symposiums


    A speaker may give, at most, one invited talk in the PHYS division in any one calendar year. Note that these rules do not apply to contributed talks and posters, so there is still plenty of opportunity for all physical chemists to present their research results in the PHYS division.

    ACS Handbook for Speakers

    The ACS has developed a Handbook for Speakers that includes links regarding Abstract Information, Technical Divisions, ACS Meetings and details on ACS meeting regulations, formal oral and poster presentations. This handbook can be found at http://www.acs.org/meetings/hbook.htm.


    General Information for Contributed Papers


    General Papers—Members are cordially invited to present papers at the poster sessions. Abstracts should be submitted as instructed on the preceding page, C&E News or the ACS Meetings web page, http://www.acs.org/meetings. The deadline, as published in C&E News and in the Newsletter, must be observed to allow the ACS to compile the program and to print and to circulate the abstracts.

    Information and Rules Applying to All Contributed Poster Papers

    1. No paper will be accepted unless an author expects to be present.

    2. ACS Bylaws 3(a) require that "papers by American Chemists or chemical engineers not members of the Society shall not appear on the program unless they be joint with one or more Society members."

    3. Prospective poster presenters who also submit papers to other Divisions should inform the Chairman-Elect as to the Division, titles of papers and co-authors by the deadline date.

    4. Each poster paper will have a poster board measuring 4’x8’.

    5. All illustrations, charts, and textual material to be posted must be prepared in advance since materials for these purposes will not be available at the meeting.

    6. Posters should be mounted prior to the opening of the session and left in place until the close. Authors are encouraged to be present the entire session.

    7. There must be a heading (with lettering at least 1" height) giving the title of the papers, the author(s), their affiliation(s), and the number assigned to it in the program.

    8. Illustrative material will be read by attendees from a distance of 3’ or more, so lettering on illustrations should be at least 3/8" high.

    9. There should be a logical sequence (introduction, development and conclusion) to the display and each sheet should be numbered.

    10. Mounting the sheets on colored construction paper and using other techniques for improving graphic impact will enhance the presentation's effectiveness. Ease of reading is far more important than artistic flair. Certain color combinations, for instance, may look beautiful but may be almost impossible to read, especially in the absence of optimum lighting.

    11. Do NOT mount illustrations on heavy stock, which is difficult to mount on the poster boards.

    12. Each author is responsible for mounting his or her material at least 1/2 hour prior to the opening of the assigned poster session and removing it within 1/2 hour after the close of the session. ACS cannot assume any responsibility for materials beyond those time limits.

    13. Do provide sign-up sheets to record names and addresses of attendees who wish more information.

    14. Do bring duplicates of data and conclusions. Duplicating facilities are unavailable through ACS.

    15. ACS provides a modest supply of pushpins, masking tape and felt-tipped pens but it is wise to bring your own. Upon advance request, ACS will arrange for blackboards to be available in the room.

    16. Admission to poster sessions will be by ACS meeting badge only.

    17. A poster paper submitted to the Program Chair (before the deadline) for presentation at a national meeting should be considered accepted unless the author is specifically notified to the contrary by the Division of Physical Chemistry Program Chairman.


    Future ACS Meetings

    Washington, DC, August 20-25, 2000

    Program Chair: Daniel Neumark, University of California, Berkeley, dan@radon.cchem.berkeley.edu

    Pacifichem, Honolulu, HI, December 14-19, 2000

    The International Chemical Congress of Pacific Basin Societies, Pacifichem 2000, is established to disseminate recent research results in the chemical sciences among chemists of the Pacific Rim countries, thereby fostering industrial development, improving local and global environments, and enhancing the material well-being of the peoples of Pacific Rim countries. The Congress is cosponsored by the ACS, The Chemical Society of Japan, the Canadian Society for Chemistry, the New Zealand Institute of Chemistry, and the Royal Australian Chemical Institute.

    Contributed papers are welcome for most symposia in either oral or poster format. The anticipated deadline for submission of abstracts is April 1, 2000. Further information can be obtained from the Congress Secretariat, c/o American Chemical Society, 1155 16th St. N.W., Washington, D.C. 20036, fax: 202-872-6128, e-mail:pacifichem@acs.org, http://www.acs.org/meetings/pacific/welcome.htm.

    Over 126 symposia have already been accepted for presentation at Pacifichem 2000. The following 23 symposia are planned in Physical and Theoretical Chemistry (Area 10).

    San Diego, CA, April 1-5, 2001

    Program Chair: Professor Richard Stratt, Department of Chemistry, Brown University, 324 Brooke Street, Providence, RI 02912, richard_stratt@brown.edu

    Chicago, IL, August 26-31, 2001

    Program Chair: Professor Richard Stratt, Department of Chemistry, Brown University, 324 Brooke Street, Providence, RI 02912, richard_stratt@brown.edu


    ChemCenter


    ChemCenter is the Internet community for the chemical-related sciences. A world-class Web site for chemical professionals in industry, education, and government worldwide, ChemCenter is also a resource for educators, students, and individuals who want reliable, accurate information about the chemistry and the American Chemical Society (ACS), the world's largest scientific organization.

    Created by ACS in August 1996, ChemCenter helps users organize the vast number of electronic resources available today. It provides easy access to the existing Web resources of the Society ACS Publications Division, Chemical Abstracts Services, and ACS Web. Unique features of ChemCenter include hourly updated chemistry news, Web cards, and "This Week in Chemical History." ACS and other credible sources frequently post information important to practicing chemists, such as professional services, conferences, publications, databases, education, shopping, and resources. Opportunities exist on the Web site for users to participate in an interactive, virtual community where they can maintain awareness of important scientific issues, engage in collaborative discussions with fellow specialists, and debate research and issues of interest.

    ChemCenter's Washington-based development team, guided by a senior-level steering committee, is working to expand the content and features available on the site. We invite you to visit ChemCenter and share your comments and suggestions. Contact Louise Voress by phone (202-872-4563); by fax (202-776-8253); by e-mail (l_voress@acs.org), or by snail mail (American Chemical Society, Room 525, 1155 16th St., NW, Washington, DC 20036).
     


    Nominations Requested for the National Inventors Hall of Fame


    All ACS members are invited by the Society's Committee on Patents and Related Matters (CP&RM) to make suggestions to the Committee on possible candidates for induction into the National Inventors Hall of Fame. The inventor is not required to be a U.S. citizen, but the invention upon which the nomination is based must be covered by a U.S. patent. The invention must have contributed greatly to the national welfare and significantly promoted progress in science and the useful arts. Nomination documents can be obtained by calling (202) 872-8725, email to d_fillinich@acs.org, or write to Debbie Fillinich, American Chemical Society, 1155 Sixteenth Street, NW, Washington, DC, 20036.
     



    Do your colleagues know?


    Many physical chemists are not members of the ACS and are not aware that they can become Affiliates of the Division of Physical Chemistry and the Subdivisions of Theoretical and Biophysical Chemistry without being a member of the ACS itself. The dues for Affiliates are the same as for Members, and many of the advantages of association with the Division are also the same (Division Affiliates may not hold elective office and may not vote in Division elections). Because it is expensive to make extensive mailings to non-ACS members, we request your assistance in publicizing this information. Please share the membership application on page 18 with anyone who may be interested in membership or affiliation with the Division of Physical Chemistry.
     


    American Chemical Society

    Division of Physical Chemistry

    Subdivision of Theoretical Chemistry

    Subdivision of Biophysical Chemistry

    We invite you to encourage non-members to join the PHYS division. It is the professional organization devoted to physical chemistry and physical chemists and can be most successful with maximum participation by physical chemists. Some of the more practical advantages of membership are:
     
     

    1. Members receive, in advance, abstracts of the papers to be delivered in the Division of Physical Chemistry programs at national meetings of the ACS.

    2. Members receive a newsletter with the abstracts of the National meetings listing future symposia and divisional meetings, and giving the deadlines for submission of papers to be presented at these meetings. The newsletter is included with the abstracts of papers for convenience.

    3. Members receive discounts on the purchase price of the complete bound books of meeting abstracts. Discounts for other books and journals are also available, and new arrangements are negotiated from time to time.

    4. The Division of Physical Chemistry is an affiliate of the American Institute of Physics, and members of the Division are eligible for a discount on various AIP publications including The Journal of Chemical Physics.

    5. The Division holds mixers at each national meeting of the ACS at which a divisional program is presented. These events are held in conjunction with a poster session and provide an excellent opportunity to meet other physical chemists.

    6. Members may vote and hold office in the Division and participate in its activities. Division Affiliates may not vote and may not hold office. Members and Affiliates are invited to suggest symposium topics, speakers and organizers.

    7. The Division maintains a close relationship with the Journal of Physical Chemistry. Through the Division programs, and through cooperation with the Journal of Physical Chemistry, we seek to call attention to the vigorous and dynamic character of physical chemistry in this country, and to stimulate intellectual cross-fertilization between the different fields of research in physical chemistry.

    8. The Division mounts important award symposia. The Debye, Hildebrand and Theoretical Chemistry awards are given each year, and the Langmuir Award every other year by the ACS. In addition, the Pure Chemistry and Nobel Laureate Signature awards are frequent features in Division symposia.

    9. In 1978 the Division established the Subdivision of Theoretical Chemistry. There is no additional fee for membership in the Subdivision. The Subdivision provides special services and participates fully in developing symposium topics, at the national meetings, specifically for the theoretically inclined.

    10. In 1994 the Division established the Subdivision of Biophysical Chemistry. There is no additional fee for membership in the Subdivision. The Subdivision provides special services and participates fully in developing symposium topics, at the national meetings, specifically for the biophysically inclined.