RACI WA Branch Newsletter July 2016

THE ROYAL AUSTRALIAN CHEMICAL INSTITUTE INC (WA BRANCH)

A.B.N. 69 030 287 244 A.I.R.N. A00 403 86D A.R.B.N. 102 726 429

PO Box 114, North Beach WA 6920 Telephone: 0403 022 968 E-mail: wabranch@raci.org.au http://www.raci.org.au/branches/wa-branch

FROM THE PRESIDENT Hello All Once Again, First up, a promotion for the most important page of this and every Newsletter:

Yes, as I’ve said before, the Calendar of Events appears near the end of the Newsletter but it is clearly the most important page. It is a roadmap of how to contribute to our Institute (have you deciphered the colour codes yet?). So there are many events coming up and if you can attend any or all of them it would fantastic for you and the Institute. To highlight the Events Calendar even more I thought about asking the editor to print the Newsletter backwards, but that would mean that my section would be at the end (hey, I heard that!). Next I would like to talk about the RACI as a big National Family (again, I hear you say, but it’s so important that everyone appreciates this); let’s have a look around Australia to see what other Branches are doing. So you can either go to the RACI website’s event log or browse through the Newsletters to what I think is a fuller picture of what is going on. Here’s the header pages of a few of them (apologies that I’m not highlighting all of them, I just want to encourage everyone to browse around).

Continued next page

RACI WA Branch Newsletter: July 2016 2

FROM THE PRESIDENT (Continued)

NSW: A fine photo of the President, Joe Bevitt, and a big Newsletter chock full of events: Outreach, call for Award Nominations, Laboratory Tour, Food Chemistry Seminar, Indigenous Science and Chemistry Enrichment events, Fellowship and employment opportunity announcements and much more. Well done.

QLD: Another big Newsletter featuring a Thank You from Paul who is from that fair state. I should have given you an address to send a cheerio if you wish; best to use member@raci.org.au and they will forward it on. Features include: a social media spruik, a good bye and good luck, young chemist advert, a 50 year/new members acknowledgement and conference event notices. Nice Newsletter! Kevin Jack is the President there.

SA: Another great Newsletter featuring Young Chemists and Pharmaceutical group events, a welcome to new members (we better start doing that; Ben can you please send me the 2016 list please?) and a call for images for their Centenary Exhibit. If anyone has images, particularly linking these two great States, please submit them. Greg Metha is the President there.

Victoria: It’s bumper issue at 14 pages! Well done President Kay Latham and your team. They are really roaring along in preparation for hosting the Congress next year. Apart from all that has been presented in other Branch Newsletters, they have 3 pages of Hazmat and Environment notes; if you want a Roadmap for Insect Pollinator Assessment, this is where you go. A fabulous resource and back issues are on my reading list. Better stop there, apologies again for not including everyone. Hello to anyone interstate reading this Newsletter. Notice a trend? All the above have basically the same format, while ours is very different. The isolation of the Nullabor has bred diversity? In other news, I attended the annual Titration Stakes last night (Tuesday June 21st). Wow, what an event; about 250 high school students were pipetting, titrating and calculating their hearts out all night! If not in this issue, a full article will appear soon. It was also announced that it was last time that Dr Peter Sheppard was collating the results and determining the winners – after 30 years of doing the same. Many thanks Peter, a tremendous effort! And needless to say while I was talking to him about past times, he snuck in one of his famous Sheppo stories which had me in stitches! A memento of the occasion was presented to him on your behalf. Continued next page

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FROM THE PRESIDENT (Continued) In Chemistry in Australia a couple of issues ago Jeff Hughes listed his ten top Chemistry videos; the web links listed didn’t work for me so I’ve asked him to send me them. Thanks Jeff (I’ve seen the first few, they are very good, but some of the presenters need to wear more PPE!): Helium near absolute zero https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2Z6UJbwxBZI Bose Einstein Condensates https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1RpLOKqTcSk Cornflour https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5GWhOLorDtw https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3zoTKXXNQIU Ferrofluid https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nadpcadav1I https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vsQh1AT6qUE https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kL8R8SfuXp8 Menthos Fountain https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-X1X7HuFHSg Sulfur Hexafluoride https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iQWtZd8jM3g Elephant’s Toothpaste https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p1eG2y2mn54 The Barking Dog https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YOTTVwg9vgI Exploding hydrogen:oxygen https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4myp6ioFKbc Nitrogen triodide (‘touch powder’) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2KlAf936E90 The thermite reaction https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qqvQwfH_wGQ Gun cotton https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nCxzN_fbGiA Supercritical fluid https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yBRdBrnIlTQ Self-siphoning polymer https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X_2auPMf1mI The names of the four new elements have been proposed; celebrations in Tennessee I suspect (full details on the IUPAC website):

The AGM is coming up and it would be good to have as many as possible attend. We also need more committee members – if you are at all interested please discuss with someone who is or has been an office bearer. Many thanks for that. Just paid my membership fees – nice smooth process, thanks National Office! The BM exhibition was great with the WA Museum closed now closed for huge renovations – an opening to look forward to! Please continue reading and have a great July!!! Alf Larcher President RACI WA Branch (feedback/ideas welcomed on wa-president@raci.org.au or @AlfLarcher)

RACI WA Branch Newsletter: July 2016 4

RACI Monthly Meetings

Please come to the RACI Members Monthly Meeting. This is a great chance to meet fellow members and be entertained by guest speakers. All welcome – membership is not a prerequisite to attendance (so please bring a friend).

Date: Usually 3rd Tuesday of every month Time: From 5.30pm. Seminar/presentation commences at 6.15pm. Refreshments prior and at seminar conclusion Venue: Exhibition Area, Building 500, Curtin University Cost:: $5 charge to cover refreshments (limited drinks and snacks) (receipts can be provided) RSVP: wabranch@raci.org.au to assist with catering purposes Or register online (preferably by Friday before meeting)

JULY 2016 Tues 19th (VENUE will be MURDOCH UNI, Robertson Lecture Theatre)

“RAPID SCREENING OF SEIZED NEW PSYCHOACTIVE SUBSTANCES: A LARGE SCALE STUDY OF >200 SAMPLES” by Associate Professor James Speers New Psychoactive Substances are a major drugs of abuse problem for public health, the police and forensic services due to their adverse health effects and constantly changing composition in order to circumvent drug legislation. The aim of this study was to test the potential of attenuated total reflectance infrared absorption (ATR-IR) and Raman spectroscopy as a rapid, non-destructive and inexpensive means of identification at street level.

Registration and info link http://www.raci.org.au/events/event/july-mmm Venue: Murdoch University – Robertson Lecture Theatre

AUGUST 2016 Tues 16th

"WHAT I DIDN’T LEARN AT UNI”

Presented by the RACI Management & Career Development Group “What I didn’t learn at Uni” promises to be an interactive panel discussion divulging all things career related for those pondering the age-old question – Will my degree really prepare me for industry?

Registration and info link http://www.raci.org.au/events/event/august-mmm

RACI WA Branch Newsletter: July 2016 5

RACI WA Branch National Chemistry Week Dinner 2016 Friday 29th July

6.30 pm at the Bentley Pines Restaurant

A dinner to celebrate Chemistry Week and present the 2016 Batty Medal and Wilf Ewers Citation.

The price below is inclusive of drinks and seating is limited so please register ASAP to avoid disappointment

Members and Partners: $40 Retirees and students (members): $35 (retirees please register by email ben.fletcher@raci.org.au) Retirees (non members): $40 (retirees please register by email ben.fletcher@raci.org.au) Non members: $50

Register now at: http://www.raci.org.au/events/event/national-chemistry-week-dinner-2016

Two atoms were walking across a road when one of them said, "I think I lost an electron!" "Really!" the other replied, "Are you sure?" "Yes, I 'm absolutely positive."

Have you heard that entropy isn't what it used to be?

RACI WA Branch Newsletter: July 2016 6

The Analytical Chemistry Group will be presenting a one-day seminar:

What’s New in Laboratory Instrumentation/ Expo 2016

Are you up to date on the latest laboratory instruments?

Come hear about the latest innovations and ask the difficult questions of the manufacturers first hand. There will be presentations in the morning and displays from the instrument manufacturers in the

afternoon.

This popular event is only run every second year. A rare opportunity to hear from and talk to most major suppliers in one venue at one time.

Presentations and displays by: Agilent, Agilent new product introductions.

Andrew Young and Co, The next generation of sample introduction.

IMP, Challenging Conventional Sample Processing – The 21st Century Iron Ore Laboratory.

In Vitro Technologies, Green & Efficient Chemistry: How to save time, money and resources.

John Morris Scientific, NanoLIBS: A Novel Handheld LIBS Analyzer and Its Applications.

Labfit, Labfit’s new Carbon and Sulphur Analyser.

LECO Australia, CORNERSTONE - LECO's New Platform.

MEP Instruments, Analytik Jena - On track with trace elements.

PANalytical, LeDoser: Just when you thought flux weighing couldn’t get any easier.

Rowe Scientific, Nitrogen/ Protein determination using the Dumas Method.

Scitek Australia, New Technologies in Sample Concentration.

Thermo Fisher Scientific, Petroleum and Natural Gas Analysis Workflows, the most innovative technology from Upstream, midstream to downstream.

Product and Information Displays will be presented by all vendors.

Date: Tuesday 12th

July Time: 8:30 am to 3:00 pm Where: Exhibition Space (Level 1)

Resources and Chemistry Precinct South Wing, Building 500 Curtin University South Entrance Drive (off Manning Road) Curtin University Bentley WA 6102

Cost: FREE Registration is required for catering purposes.

The closing date for registration is Wednesday the 6st July.

Lunch and morning tea is provided. Vegetarians catered for, other dietary requirements please advise.

To register please e-mail peter.anstis@measurement.gov.au or call Peter Anstis (08) 9368 8421.

RACI WA Branch Newsletter: July 2016 7

The Innovators’ Tea Party Saturday 3rd September, Nedlands Are you an engaging woman working in Science, Technology, Engineering or Mathematics (STEM) who would like to volunteer at The Innovators’ Tea Party? This free event aims to inspire high school aged girls to consider a career in STEM by allowing them to interact with a diverse range of mentors. The event will be run like ‘speed-dating’ where mentors will have 5 minutes to engage with each student (or pair of students) before moving on to the next. Mentors are expected to talk about specific projects they have worked on, what they studied at university, challenges and successes they have faced in their industry and their career progression so far. The day will be split into four 1.5 hour sessions, and volunteering mentors can opt to attend for the morning, the afternoon or the whole day. For more information: https://innovatorsteaparty.wordpress.com

Professor Colin Raston Officer of the Order of Australia (AO)

In the recent Queen’s Birthday Honours, Professor Colin Raston (President of the RACI 1996-97) has been made an Officer of the Order of Australia (AO) “for distinguished service to science through seminal contributions to the field of chemistry as a researcher and academic, and to professional associations. Colin Raston is currently the South Australian Premier’s Clean Technology Professorial Research Fellow at Flinders University, and recently received media attention for developing a device known as the “unboil an egg machine” (otherwise known as the Vortex Fluidic Device).

RACI WA Branch Newsletter: July 2016 8

How Many Engineers Does it Take to Change a Light bulb? How many first year engineering students does it take to change a light bulb?

None. That’s a second year subject. How many second year engineering students does it take to change a light bulb?

One, but the rest of the class copies the report. How many third year engineering students does it take to change a light bulb?

“Will this question be in the final examination?” How many civil engineers does it take to change a light bulb?

Two. One to do it and one to steady the chandelier. How many electrical engineers does it take to change a light bulb?

None. They simply redefine darkness as the industry standard. How many computer engineers does it take to change a light bulb?

“Why bother? The socket will be obsolete in six months anyway.” How many mechanical engineers does it take to change a light bulb?

Five. One to decide which way the bulb ought to turn, one to calculate the force required, one to design a tool with which to turn the bulb, one to design a comfortable – but functional – hand grip, and one to use all this equipment.

How many nuclear engineers does it take to change a light bulb? Seven. One to install the new bulb and six to figure out what to do with the old one for the next 10,000 years.

RACI WA Branch Newsletter: July 2016 9

RACI ANNUAL WA BRANCH COMMITTEE ELECTIONS

Nominations are invited for the following positions on the RACI Western Australian Branch Committee for the year 2016/2017: PRESIDENT, VICE PRESIDENT, HON SECRETARY, HON TREASURER, AND FOUR BRANCH COMMITTEE MEMBERS. Nominations are also invited for the positions of: Chair (Ex Officio Branch Committee member), Secretary, Treasurer and Committee Members for the following Groups: Analytical Chemistry; Chemical Education; Management and Career Development; Synthetic and Organic Chemistry.

A candidate for the Branch Committee must be nominated by two Corporate Members and indicate her/his willingness to accept office by signing as nominee on the nomination form below. Nomination forms can be emailed to wabranch@raci.org.au by Friday 7th October 2016. _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ (Please detach here)

WA NOMINATIONS FOR 2016/2017 BRANCH COMMITTEE

BRANCH COMMITTEE MEMBERS AND EX-OFFICIO MEMBER GROUPS – ANALYTICAL CHEMISTRY; CHEMICAL EDUCATION; MANAGEMENT AND CAREER DEVELOPMENT; SYNTHETIC & ORGANIC CHEMISTRY.

We,..................................................................................…......(Member/Fellow)

and.....................................................................................…....(Member/Fellow)

hereby nominate.................................................................………........................

for the position of..........................................................………............................. (specify office)

for the 2016/2017...... WA Branch Committee...or.................................Group (if not Branch, specify Group)

……….................................................................................. (Signature of Nominators) .......................................................................………........... (Signature of Nominators)

I consent to this nomination ............................................................…………….. (Signature of Nominee) Date: ....................................

RACI WA Branch Newsletter: July 2016 10

CALENDAR OF EVENTS FOR 2016 Presented by Rowe Scientific Pty Ltd

www.rowe.com.au

12.07.2016 What’s New in Laboratory Instrumentation Exhibition Space, Building 500, Curtin Uni.

Analytical.Chem. Group

17-23.07.2016 National Chemistry Week National RACI

19.07.2016 Monthly Members Meeting Robertson Lecture Theatre, Murdoch University WA Branch RACI

21.07.2016 Aust. National Chemistry Quiz Various National RACI

29.07.2016 National Chem Week Dinner Bentley Pines, Bentley WA Branch RACI

09.08.2016 Branch Committee Meeting Held in Room 2B01, ARRC Building, Kensington WA Branch RACI

13-21 08.2016 National Science Week Various 16.08.2016 Monthly Members Meeting Exhibition Space, Building 500, Curtin Uni. WA Branch RACI

18.08.2016 Bayliss Youth Lecture Sacred Heart College, Sorrento Chem. Ed. Group

29.08.2016 Chemistry Careers Night Murdoch University M&CD Group

20.09.2016 Monthly Members Meeting Exhibition Space, Building 500, Curtin Uni. WA Branch RACI

11.10.2016 Branch Committee Meeting Held in Room 2B01, ARRC Building, Kensington WA Branch RACI

18.10.2016 Monthly Members Meeting - AGM Exhibition Space, Building 500, Curtin Uni. WA Branch RACI

15.11.2016 Monthly Members Meeting Exhibition Space, Building 500, Curtin Uni. WA Branch RACI

13.12.2016 Branch Committee Meeting Held in Room 2B01, ARRC Building, Kensington WA Branch RACI

Enquiries to Branch Coordinator Ben Fletcher: 0403 022 968, wabranch@raci.org.au

Success is going from failure to failure without loss of enthusiasm.

The most popular labor-saving device is still money.

Nothing recedes like success.

Find a job you like and you add five days to every week.

It’s hard to lead a cavalry charge if you think you look funny on a horse.

If at first you don’t succeed, try, try again. Then quit. There’s no point in being a damn fool about it.

Artificial intelligence is no match for natural stupidity.

Never put off until tomorrow what you can avoid altogether.

A clean desk is a sign of a cluttered desk drawer.

E-MAIL ADVERTISING RATES

Three-quarters of the total RACI WA Branch membership and Environmentalists (totalling about 500 of a select and highly targeted group) are registered to receive e-mail notices from the Branch Committee. Those RACI members who have a need to circulate an urgent message or advertisement of general interest to WA Branch members can request approval (wabranch@raci.org.au) to have the advert (sans attachment) circulated free of charge. If the advert is of a revenue producing nature then a charge of $120 +GST will be made.

NEWSLETTER ADVERTISING RATES

SINGLE ADVERTISEMENT: $120 +GST for one-quarter A4 page, $160 +GST for one-third A4 page, and multiples thereof, for print ready artwork or a print ready MS Word file.

MULTIPLE ADVERTISEMENTS: for three or more consecutive newsletter issues, a discount of 25% applies.

PAYMENT for all issues must be made in advance and within 7 days of receipt of invoice.

Branch Newsletter Deadlines For 2016

Month of Journal Deadline Date

August 2016 Fri 22 July September 2016 Fri 26 August

Deadline is close of business (5 pm) on the nominated dates.

Please submit all articles to paula.mclay@measurement.gov.au