Nature's Processing - New Swimming Pool to open in Minneapolis

 

Check out the new design of the Webber Park swimming pool, located on the north side of Minneapolis.  It is touted to be the first chemical-free, natural filtration public swimming pool in North America.

Many of you know my pet-peeve about the words "chemical-free."  I much prefer the terms "diverse in-place biological and physical treatment" to describe this new (or old) idea.  Check out the linked news articles and the Minneapolis Park&Rec information.

Bring Me the News

http://bringmethenews.com/2014/10/22/no-chemicals-needed-nations-first-natural-pool-to-open-in-minneapolis/

Minneapolis Park & Rec Board - Webber Park

http://www.minneapolisparks.org/default.asp?PageID=1286

Presidential Green Chemistry Challenge Awards 2014

  The US EPA is pleased to announce the winners of the 2014 Presidential Green Chemistry Challenge Awards

• Academic

Professor Shannon S. Stahl, University of Wisconsin-Madison 
Aerobic Oxidation Methods for Pharmaceutical Synthesis

• Small Business

Amyris
Farnesane: a Breakthrough Renewable Hydrocarbon for use as Diesel and Jet Fuel

• Greener Synthetic Pathways

Solazyme, Inc.
Tailored Oils Produced from Microalgal Fermentation

• Greener Reaction Conditions

QD Vision, Inc.
Greener Quantum Dot Synthesis for Energy Efficient Display and Lighting Products

• Designing Greener Chemicals

The Solberg Company
RE-HEALING Foam™ Concentrates—Effective Halogen-Free Firefighting

Also read a blog about this year's winners written by Jim Jones, US EPA Assistant Administrator for the Office of Chemical Safety and Pollution Prevention or in the 20 Oct 2014 issue of Chemical & Engineering News.

Chemistry of....pizza!

Periodically, the American Chemical Society posts short video clips about topics pertinent to the chemistry of every day life.  Most recently, they released a short video about the chemistry of PIZZA.  Enjoy viewing!



I you wish to subscribe to the weekly series, check out the ACS Reactions link or follow @ACSReactions on Twitter.

Finding Undergraduate Research Opportunities

A workshop designed to educate students on all aspects of undergraduate research...the types of opportunities available, how to network with potential mentors, how to get credit for research experiences.

Thursday October 16, 11:30 a.m., RNS 206

Led by Roberto Zayas

Chemistry Job Fair

UNCF●Merck Undergraduate Science Research Scholarships

The United Negro College Fund and the Merck Company Foundation announce the availability of the UNCF ●Merck Undergraduate Science Research Scholarship Awards.

Apply Now for an Undergraduate Award    Applications due: 02 Dec 2014

These awards, of up to $30,000 are a component of the UNCF●Merck Science Initiative, the goal of which is to support the training and development of world-class African American biomedical research scientists.

At least 15 UNCF●Merck Undergraduate Science Research Scholarship Awards will be made per year. The competition is open to all students who meet the eligibility criteria. Award recipients will be selected based on the applicants’ abilities and accomplishments.

The UNCF●Merck Undergraduate Science Research Scholarship Awards are intended to encourage the interest of African American undergraduate students in furthering their science education and pursuing biological, chemical or engineering science careers by providing tuition support and opportunities for research and engineering experience in a state-of-the-art industrial laboratory.