ALLY... - Royal Society of Chemistry

A U G U S T 2 0 0 5 

Blair speaks at Links Day 

INSIDE… 

Prime Minister Tony Blair emphasised the vital 

role of science in solving society’s problems 

now and in the future when he spoke at the 

RSC’s Parliamentary Links Day on 21 June. 

Links Day is the largest scientific event in 

the annual Parliamentary calendar and brings 

together MPs, Peers and the science and 

engineering community to discuss science and 

technology issues. 

The year’s theme was Science and the New 

Parliament: the G8 Agenda, with speakers 

expanding on key issues relating to Africa and 

to climate change. 

It was the first time a sitting Prime Minister 

had ever addressed a Society event. He said: 

“This theme you have chosen for this year – the 

contribution of science and engineering to our 

policy priorities at the G8 Summit in Gleneagles 

– could not be more timely. 

“These two issues are, as you know, very 

important to me and to the government. 

But most of the problems faced by modern 

governments cannot be solved by governments 

alone. Tackling these issues also depend 

crucially on you: our scientists and engineers.” 

Co-hosted on a non-party basis by Dr 

Brian Iddon MP and Dr Andrew Murrison MP, 

other speakers included the Rt Hon Hilary 

Benn MP, Secretary of State for International 

Development, Sir David King, the Government’s 

Chief Scientific Adviser, Lord Sainsbury, Minister 

for Science and Innovation, and RSC President 

Dr Simon Campbell. 

Mr Benn spoke about the partnership of 

scientists and policymakers in the fight against 

poverty and disease, especially in Africa, 

and described some of the initiatives being 

pioneered by the Department of International 

Development. 

Sir David spoke about the scientific debate on 

climate change, the narrowing areas of scientific 

uncertainty on the key issue of global warming 

caused by human activity and outlined the 

international discussion on climate change. 

Dr Campbell drew attention to the terrible 

death toll from malaria and spoke from direct 

experience as Chair of the Expert Scientific 

Advisory Panel for 4 years where a strong R&D 

portfolio had been built up of over 20 projects 

involving academic and industry partners. 

Tony Blair also used the occasion to present 

awards to teachers of the year in physics, 

biology and chemistry to highlight the vital role 

of science teachers. He said: “Unless we reward 

and value the people who transfer knowledge 

from one generation to the next we will suffer 

the consequences in declining prosperity.” 

Tony Blair praised the Parliamentary Links Day 

as a “thriving all-party occasion” which he had 

been “delighted to attend” during exchanges 

in the House of Commons at Prime Minister’s 

Questions on 22 June. 

Young Ambassador 

Leanne Hart is made Young Ambassador 2005 

see page 6 

RSC Summer Party 

Members enjoy a delightful evening at 

Burlington House see page 16 

RSC Awards 

The 64 winners of this year's RSC Awards 

see page 10 

NEWS 2 

EVENTS 7 

DIARY 8 

AWARDS 10 

MEMBER NEWS 14 

AND FINALLY 16 

W W W . R S C . O R G R S C N E W S | A U G U S T 2 0 0 5 1

NEWS 

HEFCE favours low-key support 

It was a highly strategic – and symbolic – 

moment for the RSC when the Prime 

Minister addressed this year’s packed 

Parliamentary Links Day at the House of 

Commons. 

It wasn’t just that this year’s theme 

– Science and the G8 – was highly relevant 

and very well timed. Though it was. 

It wasn’t just that the views of scientists 

and engineers deserve to be heard at the 

highest levels of Westminster and Whitehall. 

Though they do. 

It wasn’t just because the Royal Society 

of Chemistry is the leading scientific 

society for its work with Parliament and 

Government. Though it is. 

It was because the Society has forged a 

position of strategic leadership in Parliament 

involving all the major UK science and 

engineering bodies. 

We do things they can’t do. And we 

organise initiatives they want to join. 

Our leadership produced the pioneering 

Charter for Science and Engineering 

delivered to No 10 by the Chief Executive 

in 2001. 

Our leadership produced the valuable 

Policies for the Next Parliament delivered to 

No 10 by the President in 2005. 

And our leadership has produced highly 

successful Links Days at Westminster, with 

the Scottish Parliament and with the Welsh 

Assembly. 

It was no accident the Prime Minister 

attended Links Day or praised it. He 

recognises the role of the Society and the 

impact we make when we lead the case 

for science. 

That is our strategy for the future. 

Stephen Benn 

STEPHEN BENN, PARLIAMENTARY AFFAIRS OFFICER. 

To comment on anything in RSC News, 

contact the editor at Thomas Graham House 

(address on page 16) or call +44 (0)1223 

432375 or email rscnews@rsc.org 

The Higher Education Funding Council for 

England (HEFCE) published its report on 

Strategically Important and Vulnerable Subjects 

on 28 June. 

The former education secretary, Charles 

Clarke, had asked HEFCE back in December 

2004 to investigate the threat to certain degree 

subjects and their university departments, 

including chemistry. HEFCE was asked whether 

there are any subjects or courses of national 

strategic importance which should be sustained 

through intervention. 

HEFCE has concluded that there is no crisis 

for university science subjects, and that a 

departmental closure does not in itself mean a 

subject is vulnerable nationwide. HEFCE believes 

that the type of heavy handed intervention 

needed to keep a department open should 

be kept to a minimum as it could disrupt the 

dynamism of the English Higher Education 

sector. 

The RSC was disappointed in HEFCE’s 

‘hands-off’ approach. Dr Tony Ashmore, RSC 

Assembly discusses science 

The RSC’s first Science and the Assembly took 

place on 29 June at the Wales Millennium 

Centre in Cardiff. The Rt Hon Rhodri Morgan 

AM, First Minister of the Welsh Assembly 

Government, officially launched the event. 

The RSC succeeded in bringing together for 

the first time many of the Principality’s major 

science-related organisations. The occasion was 

designed to show the Welsh Assembly that 

Rhodri Morgan AM, First Minister of the Welsh 

Assembly 

Registrar said: “Provision of education in such 

a strategically important subject as chemistry 

should not be solely determined by the 

decisions of individual institutions responding 

to the ‘market’. We are disappointed that the 

issue of funding is not addressed. We regard 

the under-funding of chemistry provision which 

distorts the market to be at the heart of recent 

closures.” 

However HEFCE does acknowledge that there 

are risks to science subjects. It intends to make 

more low-key interventions to encourage more 

school pupils to study science degrees. One 

example is their AimHigher initiative that aims 

to increase participation in higher education 

from under-represented communities. 

Chemistry: The Next Generation, in which the 

RSC is a lead player, is an AimHigher project. 

Dr Ashmore welcomed HEFCE’s further 

support in this area: “The RSC looks forward 

to broadening its collaboration with HEFCE to 

ensure provision of appropriate courses to meet 

national needs and the aspirations of students.” 

science has a vital role to play in key Assembly 

policies and in many areas of Welsh life. 

Speaking at the opening reception, the First 

Minister was joined by Assembly Members from 

all the four major political parties in Wales in a 

display of cross-party agreement that recognised 

the importance of science. 

Rhodri Morgan spoke about the Assembly 

Government’s commitment to science and 

referred to the Assembly’s new initiative 

underway to review science policy in Wales 

– a process with which the RSC hopes to be 

constructively involved. 

In the afternoon a series of scientific 

presentations were made by speakers from 

all the major sciences on subjects – health, 

education, enterprise, and the environment 

- that reflect the jurisdiction of key Assembly 

Committees. 

Dr Stephen Benn, the RSC’s Parliamentary 

Officer, said: “This RSC initiative represents 

another key step in building relationships 

with devolved bodies. We also work with the 

Scottish Executive and hold a similar event with 

them. The RSC’s leadership within the science 

community has been the key ingredient for 

today’s success.” 

2 R S C N E W S | A U G U S T 2 0 0 5 

W W W . R S C . O R G

Kitchen Chemistry Launched 

The RSC’s educational resource Kitchen 

Chemistry, written in collaboration with 

renowned chef Heston Blumenthal, was 

launched on 21 June. 

The resource highlights the 

science behind various aspects 

of the cooking process, from 

flavour to enzymes and jellies. 

The pack comprises teacher’s 

notes, student material and a 

CD-ROM with information and 

weblinks to video clips featuring 

Blumenthal at work in his 

laboratory. 

The RSC will send every 

secondary school and college 

in the UK and the Republic of 

Ireland a free copy. 

Dr Peter Barham illustrated 

one of the experiments in the 

book by speed-making ice-cream using liquid 

nitrogen. He smashed his own World Record to 

produce a time 18.78 seconds. 

Blumenthal said: “Collaborating with the RSC 

to produce this book has for me, helped to put 

Roundtable debates future 

green chemistry policy 

The joint RSC/American Chemical Society 

Roundtable on International Green Chemistry 

Policy took place on 20 June at the 2nd 

International Conference on Green Chemistry. 

18 invited participants from nine countries 

attended, all linked with Green Chemistry (GC) 

either as academic researchers, industrialists, 

publishers or members of policy-making bodies. 

The meeting focused on analyzing “Where 

we are and where we should be going” in order 

to promote green and sustainable chemistry 

and engineering, not only in industry, but also 

in academia. 

Four themes dominated the discussion: 

● The image of GC: possibly perceived as 

peripheral to the mainstream of chemistry. 

● The role of education at all levels, with the 

most overlooked audience being the public 

as consumer. 

● The importance of penetrating industry with 

a simplified message, tools, and technically 

trained students. 

● Networking between universities, industry 

a lifelong passion down on paper. The book 

examines the scientific approach to cooking 

– an activity that has been traditionally been 

regarded as an art rather than a 

science. 

“Kitchen Chemistry makes 

chemistry more accessible 

because it brings together 

scientific theory and everyday 

practicality. After all, we all know 

something about cooking, but few 

of us are scientific experts.” 

Dr Simon Campbell, RSC 

President said: “We are delighted 

that Heston has collaborated with 

us on this project. His remarkable 

achievements at the Fat Duck 

have increased awareness of the 

role that science in general, and 

chemistry in particular, has in 

preparing the food we eat and in developing 

the textures and flavours we so much enjoy.” 

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and government as the most effective way of 

promoting GC. 

Roundtable members considered the 

question “How can we improve the impact of 

and advance the cause of GC?” Here, three 

inter-related issues were considered: 

● Scientific Credibility - engaging in the best 

science. 

● Capability - ability to meet expectations 

● Visibility - improve it! 

Recommendations were also made 

concerning the programme for the 3rd 

International Symposium on Green and 

Sustainable Chemistry to be held in Delft in 

2007. 

The closing plenary session of the conference 

was entirely devoted to a very lively discussion 

of the roundtable’s findings with the theme 

“Where do we go from here?” 

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For more information see: www. 

chemsoc.org/kitchenchemistry 

For more information, please 

contact Alejandra Palermo, RSC, 

palermoa@rsc.org 

Chemical 

companies given 

new vision 

The Chemistry Leadership Council (CLC) 

launched its New Vision on the Sustainable 

Production and Use of Chemicals on 6 July. 

This vision proposes how both UK chemicals 

manufacturing and wider “chemistry-using 

companies”, including retailers such as 

Marks and Spencer and B+Q, can refocus to 

become more environmentally sustainable 

enterprises. 

Sustainability can be defined as: 

"Development which meets the needs of the 

present without compromising the ability of 

future generations to meet their own needs". 

For the chemical industry, this involves aims 

such as minimising the use of non-renewable 

carbon feedstocks and designing products 

and processes to maximise reuse and 

recycling. 

The UK chemical sector may feel it already 

has a big enough challenge on its hands in 

the form of global competition. However the 

CLC believe that sustainability will offer longterm 

advantages that will help to secure the 

future of the industry. 

Adopting sustainability will force 

companies to innovate now, allowing them 

to side-step future environmental legislation 

(similar to the Kyoto Protocol or REACH) 

that may well kill off the old-style industry in 

Europe. The industry would also experience 

an enhanced reputation that would give it a 

stronger voice in society and allow it attract 

greater numbers of the highest quality talent. 

The RSC intends to joint-host a large 

seminar with the Chemical Industries 

Association and the Society of Chemical 

Industry in the autumn. The seminar will be 

broadly based and debate and determine the 

key issues to face if the chemical industries 

accepts the CLC’s Vision. 

Professor Rodney Townsend, Director of 

RSC Science and Technology, said: “Having 

worked together on the Chemical Science 

Spin-outs from UK Universities report, this 

represents the next phase in co-operation 

between the RSC and the CLL.“ 

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For more information on the CLC 

and the new report, visit: www. 

chemistry.org.uk 


NEWS 

Advice on 

substitution 

The Environment, Health and Safety 

Committee (EHSC) has produced a 

note on Practical Aspects of Chemical 

Substitution. Substitution is defined 

as: “The replacement or reduction 

of hazardous substances in products 

and processes by less hazardous or 

non-hazardous substances, or by 

achieving an equivalent functionality 

via technological or organisational 

measures.” 

The UK Chemical Stakeholder Forum 

asked the EHSC to produce the note. 

It provides a practical approach to 

conducting chemical substitution within 

the context of the Authorisation stage 

in REACH as well as in response to 

supply chain pressure. 

The main points of the note are: 

● Substitution should be based 

primarily on risk rather than hazard 

and should be goal-orientated rather 

than prescriptive. 

● Substitution requires considerable 

stakeholder involvement, including 

regulators, informed users/ 

consumers, and suppliers. 

● It is a multi-component process 

designed to reduce the overall risk to 

one that is broadly acceptable. 

● To be effective, the substitution 

processes must be transparent. 

Introducing RSC Council 2005-06 

The new-look RSC Council met for the first time on June 23, following the AGM. Information on 

RSC Governance can be found at: www.rsc.org/governance 

Honorary Officers 

President 

Dr Simon F Campbell 

CSci CChem FRSC FRS 

Ordinary Members 

Professor Pierre Braunstein 

CChem FRSC 

President Elect 

Professor W Jim Feast 

CChem FRSC FRS 

Professor Les C Ebdon 

CChem FRSC 

Honorary Treasurer 

Dr Elliot G Finer 

CChem FRSC 

Professor C Dave Garner 

CChem FRSC FRS 

Substitution should be the outcome 

of comparative risk assessment and 

evaluation, incorporating human health, 

wildlife and environmental concerns. It 

involves: 

Dr John N Macdonald 

MRSC 

Professor Paul O'Brien 

CChem FRSC 

Professor W Graham Richards 

CBE CChem FRSC 

● identification of a group of chemical 

substances considered as possible 

substitutes 

● development of risk profiles of 

candidate substitutes 

● expert group summarisation of risk 

profiles for each candidate 

● risk evaluation of candidates by 

stakeholder group 

● choice of best alternative candidate 

by majority stakeholder view (or 

consensus if appropriate) 

EHSC has also produced a new note 

on Occupational Health and Safety 

Management Systems, and revised 

the note on Waste Management in 

Chemical Laboratories. 

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All the above notes can 

be found at: www.rsc.org/ 

Membership/Networking/EHSC/ 

ehscnotes.asp 

Dr Diana Simpson 

EurChem CSci 

CChem FRSC 

Appointed Members 

Dr Lesley E Smart 

MRSC 

Chair, Professional Affairs 

and Membership Board 

Dr David A Whan 

CChem FRSC 

Chair, Education and 

Qualifications Board 

Professor David Phillips 

OBE CSci CChem FRSC 

Dr Peter B Stockwell 

EurChem CChem FRSC 

Chair, Publishing Board 

Professor Jim N Miller 

CChem FRSC 

Chair, Science and 

Technology Board 

Professor Lesley Yellowlees 

MBE FRSC 

4 

R S C N E W S | A U G U S T 2 0 0 5 


Universities learn how 

to attract more students 

The first Chemistry: The Next Generation 

national conference took place on 6 June, 

where Higher Education Institution partners 

in the project met to take stock and celebrate 

successes. The event was hosted by 

GlaxoSmithKline at their North Mymms training 

facility. 

Chemistry: The Next Generation aims to 

promote the excitement of chemical sciences 

as a subject and demonstrate good career 

opportunities to students from schools and 

colleges that are underrepresented in higher 

education. 

Dr Tony Ashmore, the RSC’s Director of 

Education, explained that chemistry forms the 

basis of a £50bn industry in the UK, yet the 

proportion of students taking chemistry in 

universities has decreased by 20% over the last 

6 years and that more than 90% of students 

taking chemistry at A Level do not go on to 

study chemistry at university. 

Project partners had the opportunity to 

discuss a wide range of outreach activities 

and to share good practice from events across 

the country. Outreach deliverers representing 

each region described the activities that have 

been taking place, feedback from teachers and 

The European Technology Platform for 

Sustainable Chemistry (SusChem), in which 

the RSC is a core partner, has launched the first 

issue of its newsletter, SusChem Solutions, see: 

www.suschem.org/content.php?pageId=2770 

SusChem seeks to boost chemistry and 

chemical engineering research, development 

and innovation in Europe. It believes that 

chemistry is vital for the quality of modern life 

and that more and better use of chemistry will 

enable society to become more socially and 

environmentally sustainable. 

SusChem is mapping out a research route 

for European chemistry that will provide the 

innovative solutions required to achieve it’s goal. 

SusChem’s work will have a significant impact 

on chemistry research in the next EC Research 

Framework Programme (FP7) and beyond. 

students and the challenges for the future. 

Delegates then took part in a workshop 

lead by Liz Blackshaw (East Midlands Regional 

Coordinator), Jayne Shaw (London Regional 

Coordinator) and Kate Burrell (National 

Coordinator). In it they described the chemistry 

content of the KS3, 4 and 5 curriculum and 

suggestions of methods for communicating with 

students. 

Paul Cullis, co-author of the project and 

Principal Investigator from the University of 

Leicester, rounded off the proceedings with a 

look to the future. 

Kate Burrell, National Coordinator, 

commented on the day’s success: “The overall 

feeling of the day was one of real collaboration, 

with several project partners commenting 

on the increased communication within the 

regions between university and industry. We’ve 

had some great feedback, with the practical 

aspects of the conference very well received. 

“There is much work to do in the next 

17 months. Along with delivering exciting 

inspirational activities it remains important 

to demonstrate the positive impact of the 

changing student attitudes to chemistry and the 

chemical sciences.” 

Sustainable Chemistry newsletter seeks 

feedback on research agendas 

The newsletter will keep all stakeholders 

up-to-date on the progress of SusChem, 

seek feedback and input to its work when 

appropriate, and publicise major milestones. 

The first SusChem Solutions outlines the draft 

Strategic Research Agendas (SRAs) for Materials 

Technology, Industrial Biotechnology, and 

Reaction & Process Design. Comments on these 

documents are welcomed, preferably by 31 

August. 

A unified SRA document – including input 

from SusChem’s Horizontal Issues Group – will 

be presented to a SusChem Stakeholders 

Workshop on 25 November 2005 in London. 

■i 

For further information contact 

Dr Marian Mours at Cefic, email: 

mms@cefic.be 

Latest Travel 

Grants Awarded 

At the May meeting of the RSC Travel Grants 

committee the following grant allocations 

were made: 

Journals Grants for International Authors: 

Professor J Eastoe, University of Bristol to 

visit Wuhan University, China; Dr R Cox, 

University of Bristol to visit University of 

Tokyo, Japan; Professor C Wentrup, University 

of Queensland, Australia; Professor P 

Metrangolo, Polytechnic of Milan, Italy; 

Dr S Kazarian, Imperial College London; 

Dr O Popovicheva, Moscow State University, 

Russia; Dr S Nlate, University of Bordeaux, 

France 

JWT Jones Travelling Fellowship: 

Dr C Domene, University of Oxford; 

Dr TN Fasima, University of Lagos, Nigeria 

Conference Grant for RSC Commonwealth 

Members: Dr O B Familoni, University 

of Lagos, Nigeria; Professor A De, Indian 

Association for the Cultivation of Science, 

Kolkata, India 

Education Division Travel Grants: 

GWH Potter 

RSC Interest Groups: Co-ordination Chemistry 

Discussion Group 

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For more information on how to 

apply for RSC travel grants, see: www. 

rsc.org/travelgrants 

Important news 

for Library users 

If you still have any of the pink LIC document 

delivery vouchers could you please contact 

Kate Smith immediately. 

As the LIC is no longer offering a document 

delivery service from its own stock these 

vouchers are no longer valid. 

However we will honour all requests from 

members, with vouchers, up to the end of 

2005. After this time the vouchers cannot be 

used. 

See our alternative access “Full text options 

for document supply” on: www.rsc.org/library 

■i 

Contact Kate Smith on: 020 7440 

3372; email: smithk@rsc.org 

W W W . R S C . O R G 

R S C N E W S | A U G U S T 2 0 0 5 5

NEWS 

Materials 

Chemistry is 

Grrrr8 

In addition to the G8, in July Edinburgh 

played host to almost 500 materials 

researchers from 26 countries. MC7: 

Functional Materials for the 21 st Century, 

was the seventh materials chemistry 

conference, convened biennially by the 

RSC’s Materials Chemistry Forum. 

The breadth of topics covered showed 

how diverse materials chemistry research 

has become. Plenary lectures included 

Jean Frechet form UC, Berkley, on 

designing functional macromolecules and 

Moungi Bawendi from MIT on colloidal 

seminconductor nanocrystals. Sam Stupp 

from Northwestern spoke about his 

work on self-assembly codes for organic 

molecules and its biological application. 

His group has produced nanoscale 

scaffolds that work with living tissue to 

regenerate nerve cells. 

Martin Jansen from the Max Planck 

Institute in Stuttgart ended the conference 

with a talk on combinatorial and rational 

design of solid state materials which could 

revolutionise our approach to optimising 

materials. 

Specialist symposium on biomaterials 

chemistry, bio-inspired materials, 

molecular electronics, materials for 

sustainable energy and materials under 

extreme conditions were held at the 

conference to complement the main 

themes of solid state, soft and molecular, 

and nanomaterials. 

A ‘Commercialising Nanotechnology’ 

seminar for industry, in conjunction with 

the Institute of Physics, gave delegates 

a flavour of how nanoscience is being 

transferred into nanotechnology. Tim 

Swagger from MIT described how their 

Institute for Soldier Nanotechnology is 

developing protective materials and ultrasensitive 

explosive sensors for the US 

military. 

The conference also engaged with the 

public in participating in a Café Scientifique 

– a public discussion evening in a local bar. 

Steve Howdle and Paul O’Brien explained 

some of the recent breakthroughs in 

nano and biomaterials and how much 

of the work being presented at MC7 will 

eventually become the technology we use 

in everyday life. 

Awards highlight positive 

aspects of chemical industry 

The RSC sponsored two awards presented industry which are far too often overlooked. I 

at the Chemical Industries Association’s 

will be proud to represent an industry that can 

Awards Dinner on 7 July at the Palace Hotel, offer so much to so many,” she says. 

Manchester. Leanne Hart, a 24-year-old process John Shipman, Huntsman’s Operations 

engineer from Hartlepool, was named Young Manager at Redcar, received the Responsible 

Ambassador 2005. Huntsman Polyurethanes Care Award from Dr David Prest, of Johnson 

UK, based in Redcar, won the Responsible Care Matthey and the RSC Industry and Technology 

Award. 

Forum President. The award is sponsored by 

Leanne, who works for AMEC, an 

the RSC Environment, Sustainability and Energy 

international project management and services Forum. 

company based in Darlington, 

received a trophy, a cash prize 

and an educational trip abroad 

to a country of her choice. 

As the Young Ambassador, 

she will be expected to 

represent the chemical 

industry for the next year, 

receiving invitations to 

participate in a number of 

prestigious events with access 

to top-level decision makers 

and opinion-formers in the 

chemical industry and beyond. 

The Young Ambassador 

Award is organised by 

the Chemical Industries 

Leanne Hart, Young Ambassador 2005 

Association and sponsored by 

the Society of Chemical Industry, the Royal Huntsman Polyurethanes UK won the 

Society of Chemistry and the British Chemical award in recognition of its implementation of 

Engineering Contractors Association. 

Responsible Care programme at its chemical 

Leanne is eager to act as an ambassador for site in Redcar. The programme demonstrates a 

the chemical industry: “As well as the personal commitment to continual improvement in all 

achievement I feel this has given me, this award aspects of health, safety and environment, and 

will give me the chance to show people the to openness about the sector's activities and 

massive opportunities available in the chemical achievements. 

RSC journals make an impact 

The latest ISI® impact factors, released on June 

20, show an impressive average increase of 

over 10% for RSC Journals. Calculated annually, 

ISI® impact factors provide an indication of the 

quality of a journal - they take into account the 

number of citations in a given year for all the 

citeable documents published within a journal 

in the preceding two years. 

Impact factors for The Analyst, Green 

Chemistry, Journal of Analytical Atomic 

Spectrometry (JAAS), and New Journal of 

Chemistry all rose by more than 20% whilst the 

nanotechnology journal, Lab on a Chip, 

bolstered its position as the leading publication 

in the field with a figure of 5.05. 

Building on its first impact factor, Photochemical 

& Photobiological Sciences leapt to 1.80 while 

Organic & Biomolecular Chemistry received its 

first impact factor of 2.19, recognising the highquality 

science published in the journal during 

its formative years. Meanwhile, Chemical Society 

Reviews furthered its position as the journal 

for high quality review material with a figure of 

10.84. 



EVENTS 

Places still available – 

register now 

Faraday Discussion 131: Molecular Wires and 

Nanoscale Conductors 

31 August - 2 September 2005 

Frontiers in Chemical Biology: Mechanistic 

Enzymology and Biocatalysis 

31 August - 2 September 2005 

Dalton Discussion 8 - Metals: Centres of 

Biological Activity 

7-9 September 2005 

Faraday Discussion 132: Surface Enhanced 

Raman Spectroscopy 

19 - 21 September 2005 

The RSC Industry and Technology Forum 

provides high quality training courses to ensure 

chemical scientists have the tools to constantly 

develop their skills and enhance their career 

development. 

Molecular Modelling 4 Chemists 

Cardiff University, Cardiff, UK 

19-21 September 2005 

A practical training course covering the 

basic principles of molecular modelling and 

informatics. MM4C will encourage your staff to 

innovate, enabling them to see the potential 

of molecular modelling and informatics in the 

workplace. 

● Understanding how modelling supports 

modern product development 

● How to use some modelling tools in practice 

and interpret results 

● How these tools and techniques complement 

experimental studies 

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Visit the website for booking information, 

full programme and testimonials. 

www.rsc.org/MM4C 

BioNano 3: An International Conference on 

Bionanotechnology Research 

19 - 21 September 2005 

Responses to DNA Damage: Insights from 

Chemical, Biochemical, Structural Biology 

and Cellular Studies 

19 - 21 September 2005 

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Please see the RSC Conferences website 

for information all of these events: 

www.rsc.org/conferences 

Alternatively, call us on +44 (0) 1223 432254 or 

email us at: conferences@rsc.org 

Develop your potential with 

Training for Industry courses 

Team Working and Cooperation (basic and 

advanced) 

29, 30 September 2005, London, UK 

This course for team leaders, project managers 

and managers will develop skills in 

● Clarifying the team purpose 

● Clarifying roles 

● Proactive team co-operation 

● Identifying critical success factors for your 

team 

● Focussing on developing a high performance 

standard 

● Dealing with conflict and dissention 

This is a two day course, but the first day could 

be attended as a stand alone basic course. 

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For the latest news on courses and dates, 

visit: www.rsc.org/training4industry 

Alternatively you can call us on 

01223 432254 or email: conferences@rsc.org 

Inset Courses for 

Teachers 

The programme of courses for the Autumn 

term include the following: 

Using Assessment to Improve Learning 

in Chemistry and Science Departments 

Venues: Glasgow, Manchester, Durham, 

London, Birmingham and Belfast 

The workshops will cover: 

● How to mark less and your students learn 

more 

● How to use questions which promote 

thinking, discussion and learning 

● Creative use of self and peer assessment 

which motivates, engages students and 

promotes better learning 

Leading Teaching and Learning 

Venues: London, Bristol and Glasgow 

This workshop for prospective and recently 

appointed heads of departments, provides 

ideas, frameworks and strategies to create the 

department that gets results. 

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For more information or to apply, please 

contact Lorraine Hart, RSC Tel 020 7440 

3350; email hartl@rsc.org 

Final Call for Oral 

Abstracts 

Faraday Discussion 134: Atomic Transport 

Defect Phenomena in Solids 

University of Surrey, UK 

10 – 12 July 2006 

Oral abstracts deadline: 12 August 

The interdisciplinary nature of this discussion 

meeting will focus on important advances 

in the field of atomic transport and defect 

phenomena in solids and their relevance to 

fundamental and applied areas of solid state 

and physical chemistry. 

Speakers include Joachim Maier (Max-Planck 

Institute) and Harry Tuller (MIT). 

Abstracts should be sent to 

conferences@rsc.org with ‘FD134 abstract’ 

in the subject line. Accepted abstracts will 

be written up as full papers for the Faraday 

Discussions Volume. 

■i 

Full details of how to submit abstracts 

to RSC conferences are available on the 

website: www.rsc.org/conferences 


DIARY 

Further information 

THE RSC NEWS Diary this month lists RSC events from August to 

September 2005 that are held on the RSC conference database. 

Further details on any of these meetings can be obtained from the 

named contact or from the chemsoc website at www.chemsoc. 

org/CFCONF/alldetails.cfm? followed by the specific ID number at 

the end of each entry – for example, www.chemsoc.org/CFCONF/ 

alldetails.cfm?ID=14001 

SOUTH EAST ENGLAND 

1 September 05–1 June 06 ID=15497 

RSC Downland Section 

Chemistry Lectures 

Varndean College, Brighton 

● Various speakers 

John Luton 

T 01273 508011 

E jl@varndean.ac.uk 

19-21 September ID=14455 

RSC Conferences 

BioNano 3: An International 

Conference on Bionanotechnology 

Research 

University of Sussex 

● Various Speakers 

Contact Elaine O'Brien, RSC 

T 01223 432254 

E conferences@rsc.org 

SCOTLAND 

15 September at 10am ID=15103 



RSC South Wales West Section 

RSC Analytical Division, Analytical 



Demonstration Lectures for Primary 

Biosciences Group 

Responses to DNA Damage: Insights 

RSC Tayside Section 

Schoolchildren: Science and Energy 

Peptidomics: methods and 

from Chemical, Biochemical, 

Chemistry at Work: Demonstrations 

University of Wales Swansea 

applications 

Structural Biology & Cellular Studies 

and Activities for School Pupils 


Royal Holloway, University of London 

University of Sussex 

University of St. Andrews 

Contact Dr Jim Ballantine 

Contact Richard Anthony 


Contact Dr Nigel Botting 

T 01792 233960 

T 01784 443 539 

Contact Elaine O’Brien, RSC 

T 01334 463856 

E Ballbish@aol.com 

E r.g.anthony@rhul.ac.uk 

T 01223 432254 

E npb@st-andrews.ac.uk 


21 September at 1.15pm ID=15419 



RSC Mid-Wales Section 

RSC Process Technology Group 



Lasers Light the Way 

Concepts of Chemical Engineering for 



University of Wales 

Chemists 

Faraday Discussion 132: Surface 


● Dr Zbig Sobiesierski 

University College London 

Enhanced Raman Spectroscopy 


Contact AJS Williams 

Contact Stefaan Simons 

Imperial College London 


T 01970622313 (University) 

T 020 7679 3805 

● Professor Richard P Van Duyne, 

T 01334 463856 

T 01970624677(Home) 

E stefaan.simons@ucl.ac.uk 

Northwestern University, USA 


Contact Morwenna Gilbert, RSC 



T 01223 432254 



RSC Essex Section 




Careers Surgery 



Chelmsford 

21 September ID=15370 



Contact Caroline Tolond, RSC 

RSC Heterocyclic Group (Organic Division, 



T 020 7440 3364 

RSC) 



E cmp@rsc.org 

Heterocyclic Group Autumn Meeting 

T 01334 463856 

T 01792 233960 

GlaxoSmithKline Research and 



15 September at 6pm ID=15581 

Development Limited 

WALES 


RSC Chilterns and Middlesex Section & 

RSC Biofuels Marketing Group 

● Various speakers 

Contact Dr Peter O'Brien 


BH, RSC London 

T 01904 432535 



● Dr Ian Gordon, Managing Director of 

E paob1@york.ac.uk 

RSC Mid-Wales Section 


Giract, Switzerland 

Summer Outing 


Contact Mr Michael Maunder 


Llechwedd Slate Caverns 


T 0151 424 6514 

RSC Downland Section 

Contact John Williams 


E rscmg@aol.com 

Chemistry is Fun For Parents Too 

T 01970 623920 

T 01792 233960 

The Forest School 

E jh39ph@onetel.com 



Contact Sam Godley 

RSC Thames Valley Section 

E sam.shirley@zoom.co.uk 





RSC Thames Valley Section Annual 

Dinner 

SOUTH WEST ENGLAND 



Lincoln College 



● Professor Peter Atkins (Lincoln College) 

31 August-2 September ID=14457 



Contact Bryan Pierce 




T 01865 515472 

Frontiers in Chemical Biology: 



E bandwpierce@btopenworld.com 

Mechanistic Enzymology and 

T 01792 233960 E Ballbish@aol.com 

T 01792 233960 E Ballbish@aol.com 

Biocatalysis 



Your guide to RSC events in the coming month 

University of Exeter 


27 September ID = 15159 

Contact Dr Archi Docherty 


RSC Speciality Chemicals Sector and BACS 

RSC East Midland Section 

T 01642 645346 

Contact Elaine O'Brien, RSC 

Biocides 2005 - a Global Perspective 

Annual Members Meeting 

T 01223 432254 

The Lowry, Salford Quays 

The Kegworth Whitehouse Hotel 



Contact Dr David Karsa 

Contact David McMillan 

RSC Huddersfield Section 

EASTERN ENGLAND 

10 August at 11.30am ID=14873 

RSC Mid-Anglia Section 

T 01524 849606 

E enquiries@bacsnet.org 


RSC Fast Reactions in Solution Discussion 

T 0115 9375674 

E dmcmillan@wireless.pipex.net 

NORTH EAST ENGLAND 

Predoctoral Symposia 

University of Huddersfield 

Contact Stephen Turner 

T 01484 422383 

E steve@turners7.freeserve.co.uk 

RSC Mid-Anglia Section Old Timers' 

Luncheon 

Fielder Centre, Hatfield 

Group 

FRIS 2005 

The Business School, Chester 

10 August at 12noon ID=14311 

RSC Teesside Section 

Retired Members Informal Lunches 

NORTH WEST ENGLAND 

● Dr. Simon Campbell 

Contact Roger Bisby 

The Pot and Glass, Egglescliffe 

31 August-2 September ID=14494 

Contact John O'Toole 

T 0161 295 4912 

Contact Dr Archi Docherty 


T 01223894174 

E r.h.bisby@salford.ac.uk 

T 01642 645346 

Faraday Discussion 131: Molecular 

E john.otoole9@btopenworld.com 

Wires and Nanoscale Conductors 

20 September at 10am & 1pm 

10 August at 6pm ID=15045 

Hulme Hall, University of Manchester 

17 August at 6.30pm ID=15441 

ID=15104 

RSC Newcastle upon Tyne and North East 

● Professor Geoff Ashwell, Cranfield 

RSC Mid-Anglia Section 

RSC Birmingham and West Midlands 

Section 

University, UK 

Summer Mixer Meeting 

Section 

Buckyball Challenge - 5-a-side 

● Professor Stuart Lindsay, Arizona State 

Moat House Hotel 


tournament 

University, USA 

Contact Davina Stevenson 


University Sports Centre, Newcastle 

● Professor Francoise Remacle, University 

E rscmidanglia@yahoo.co.uk 

The Courtyard Arts Centre 

Contact Ian Edwards 

of Liège, Belgium 


T 0191 222 7130 

● Professor Nongjian Tao, Arizona State 


Contact Mr AJS Williams 

E Ian.Edwards@ncl.ac.uk 

University, USA 

RSC Biological and Medicinal Chemistry 

T 01970 624677 

Contact Morwenna Gilbert, RSC 

Sector (Industrial and Technology Forum) 

14 August at 12noon ID=13319 

T 01223 432254 

and SCI Fine Chemicals Group 


RSC Southumbria Section 


13th RSC-SCI Medicinal Chemistry 

ID=15105 

Chemistry at the cook-out: BBQ 

Symposium 


Kirmington 


Churchill College 

Section 

Contact Steve Bailey 

RSC Liverpool Section 

Contact Elaine Wellingham, RSC 


T 01652 680478 home 

Disinfection, Chaos and Cellular 

T 01275 853311 


Automata 

E confsec@blueyonder.co.uk 


4-7September 

ID=14976 

University of Liverpool 

MIDLANDS 



T 01970 624677 

RSC Electrochemistry and Electroanalytical 

Chemistry Groups, SCI Electrochemical 

Technology Group 

Contact Kenneth Rabone 

E rabonek@liverpool.ac.uk 


Electrochemistry 2005 




University of Northumbria 

RSC Cumbria Section 

RSC Inorganic Biochemistry Discussion 

RSC Particle Characterisation Group 


Explosives 

Group 

(Analytical Division) 

Contact Benjamin Horrocks 

The Chase Hotel 

Dalton Discussion 8: Metals - Centres 

Particle Systems Analysis 2005 

T 0191 222 5619 

● Dr Sean Doyle, Head of R&D Forensic 

of Biological Activity 

Moat House Hotel 

E b.r.horrocks@ncl.ac.uk 

Explosives Lab 

University of Nottingham 


Contact Alex Jenkins 

● Stephen Chapman (University of 

Contact Ron Buxton 


T 019467 74597 

Edinburgh, UK), Amy Rosenzweig 

T 01283 520365 E particle@rsc.org 

RSC Polymer Physics Group 

E cumbriasecretary@rsc.org 

(Northwestern University, USA), 

Brian Hoffmann (Northwestern University, 

USA), Andrew Thomson 


ID=15106 

Physical Aspects of Polymer Science 

22nd Biennial Meeting of the Polymer 

Physics Group 

IRELAND 

(UEA, UK), Wolfgang Lubitz (Max-Planck- 


Contact Maureen Thomson 


Institut, Germany) and 

Section 

T 0113 3433810 

RSC Republic of Ireland Section 

Professor Michael B Hall (Texas A&M 


E PPG2005@phys-irc.leeds.ac.uk 

BA Festival Of Science 

University, USA). 


Trinity College Dublin 

Contact Fiona Nalden, RSC 


14 September at 12noon ID=14312 

Contact Prof John Kelly 

T 01223 43 2254 


RSC Teesside Section 

E jmkelly@tcd.ie 



Retired Members Informal Lunches 

T 01970 624677 

The Pot and Glass, Egglescliffe 


AWARDS 

RSC Medals, Prizes 

and Awards 

The following pages list the 47 winners 

of the 2006/2006 Endowed Lectures and 

the 17 winners of the Industrially Sponsored 

Awards for 2004. 

The many Awards, Medals and 

Lectureships administered by the RSC reflect 

the huge range of activities undertaken by 

the chemical sciences community, both 

within the UK and overseas. 

The Annual Award Ceremony and dinner 

will this year take place in Birmingham on 

18 November during the new RSC General 

Assembly. 

Adrien Albert Lectureship 

Professor William Denny 

(University of Auckland, New Zealand) 

Distinguished for his contributions 

to heterocyclic chemistry, 

particularly in connection 

with medicinally important acridines. 

Barrer Prize 

Dr Robert Raja MRSC 

(University of Cambridge) 

Distinguished for his outstanding 

contributions to preparative 

materials chemistry and 

their application to industrial catalysis. 

Sir Derek Barton Gold Medal 

Professor Teruaki Mukaiyama 

(Kitasato Institute, Tokyo, Japan) 

Distinguished for work 

conducted anywhere in the 

world beyond the age of 60 

years in any area of organic chemistry or 

chemical biology that reflects the many diverse 

interests associated with Sir Derek Barton. 

Beilby Prizes 

Professor Simon Biggs FRSC 

(University of Leeds) 


contribution to the understanding 

of the control and manipulation 

of interparticle forces to allow more efficient 

process engineering of particulate systems. 

Professor Nilay Shah 

(Imperial College London) 

Distinguished for his seminal 

contributions to supply 

chain optimisation and 

his outstanding contributions to process 

planning and safety assessment. 

Ronald Belcher Memorial Lectureships 

Miss Karla Newman AMRSC 

(University of Wales, Swansea) 

For her paper on gas 

chromatography combined 

with fast flow glow discharge 

mass spectrometry (GC-FFGD-MS). 

Mr Simeone Zomer 

(University of Bristol) 

For his paper on component 

detection weighted index of 

analogy: similarity recognition 

on liquid chromatographic mass spectral data 

for characterization of route/process specific 

impurities in pharmaceutical tablets. 

Bourke Lectureship 

Dr Marsha Lester 

(University of Pennsylvania, 

Philadelphia, USA) 

Distinguished for her pioneering 

and innovative spectroscopic 

studies of weakly-bound complexes containing 

free radicals. These include experiments on 

pre-reaction complexes that provide important 

and distinctive information about the entrance 

channels on reactive potential energy surfaces. 

Centenary Lectureships 

Professor Goverdhan Mehta 

CChem FRSC FRS (Indian Institute 

of Science, Bangalore, India) 


to the synthesis of natural 

and novel compounds (particularly terpenes, 

alkaloids, sugars, taxanes, ladderanes, cage 

compounds and fullerenes), and to photochemical, 

supramolecular and materials methodology. 

Professor Royce Murray 

(University of North Carolina, 

Chapel Hill, USA) 

Distinguished for his 

innovative and influential 

research on the controlled modification of 

electrode surfaces and on the development 

of in situ techniques for the characterization 

of the electrode/electrolyte interface. 

Professor Vivian Yam CChem FRSC 

(University of Hong Kong) 

Distinguished for her 

innovative design and 

synthesis of metal-based 

luminescent materials and novel contributions 

to light-induced chemical reactions. 

Jossph Chatt Lectureship 

Professor Richard Holm 

(Harvard University, Cambridge, USA) 

Distinguished for his synthesis 

and characterisation of low 

molecular weight analogues 

of the active centres of iron-sulfur proteins 

and the catalytic centres of molybdenum 

and tungsten oxotransferase enzymes. 

Corday-Morgan Medals and Prizes 

Dr Stuart Althorpe CChem MRSC 

(University of Nottingham) 

Distinguished for his original 

work in the development of new 

quantum mechanical methods 

for the study of chemical reaction dynamics. 

Professor David MacMillan 

(Caltech, Pasadena, USA) 

Distinguished for his seminal 

contributions to asymmetric 

organocatalysis of carboncarbon 

bond-forming reactions, including 

the Claisen rearrangement, Diels-Alder 

cycloadditions and Aldol reactions. 

Professor James Naismith CChem 

FRSC FRSE (University of St Andrews) 


to the structures of a number 

of key enzymes, and to the 

understanding of their chemistry and biology. 

Dextra Carbohydrate Award 

Dr Antony Fairbanks CChem MRSC 

(University of Oxford) 

Distinguished for his creative 

contributions to carbohydrate 

chemistry, in particular his 

method of intramolecular aglycone delivery. 

Flintoff Medal 

Professor John Mann CChem FRSC 

(Queen’s University, Belfast) 


research on the total synthesis of 

plant-derived natural products and 

for his superb scholarship in writing three books, 

entitled: Secondary Metabolism, Chemical Aspects 

of Biosynthesis and Murder, Magic and Medicine. 



Your guide to RSC events in the coming month 

Sir Edward Frankland Lectureship 

Professor Richard Schrock 

(MIT, Cambridge, Massachusetts, USA) 

Distinguished for his original 

contributions to synthetic chemistry, 

especially the synthesis of 

novel organometallic complexes that manifest 

special reactivities and are effective catalysts. 

Edward Harrison Memorial Prize 

Dr Sharon Ashbrook MRSC 


Distinguished for her contributions 

to solid state NMR, in particular for 

the development of techniques to 

study low-abundance nuclei and for the acquisition 

of high resolution spectra of quadrupolar nuclei. 

Higher Education Teaching Awards 

Professor Claus Jacob CChem MRSC 

(Universitaet des Saarlandes, 

Saarbrueken, Germany) 

Distinguished for his development 

and introduction of an interactive 

and student-centred educational style, 

incorporating information technology and the 

methods of logic and philosophy, to promote 

critical thinking and problem solving in chemistry. 

Dr Dudley Shallcross CChem MRSC 



of innovative materials and 

methods in higher education, 

particularly for teaching appropriate 

mathematics to chemistry students; at the 

interface between ‘A’ Level and undergraduate 

studies; and in the chemistry laboratory. 

Interdisciplinary Awards 

Professor David Leigh FRSC FRSE 

(University of Edinburgh) 

Distinguished for his work on 

the development of synthetic 

molecular motors and machines. 

Professor Douglas Kell MRSC 

(University of Manchester) 


contributions to bioanalytical 

science and the application 

of molecular and numerical approaches 

to the study of biological systems. 

John Jeyes Lectureship 

Professor Peter Bruce CChem FRSC 

FRSE (University of St Andrews) 


of new technology leading 

to markedly improved 

environmental sustainability by reducing 

impacts from power storage systems based 

upon enhanced charge/discharge efficiencies 

of crystalline polymers of lithium compounds. 

Liversidge Lectureship 

Professor Brian Mann MRSC 

(University of Sheffield) 

Distinguished for his applications 

of NMR spectroscopy to determine 

the nature and monitor the 

reactions of organometallic complexes, and 

the introduction of metal carbonyl complexes 

as a new class of pharmaceutical agents. 

Longstaff Medal 

Professor Alan Carrington CChem FRSC 

FRS (University of Southampton) 


research career covering ESR of free 

radicals in the liquid phase, EPR of 

gas phase free radicals and more recent work on 

ion beam spectroscopy of simple ionic species. 

Marlow Medal 

Dr Julie Macpherson MRSC 

(University of Warwick) 

Distinguished for her 

pioneering work combining 

AFM instrumentation with 

electrochemical measurements. 

Meldola Medals 

Dr Milo Shaffer MRSC 


Distinguished for his research on 

the synthesis and characterisation 

of nanotubes and their 

scientific and technological applications. 

Dr Charlotte Williams MRSC 


Distinguished for her discovery of 

one of the most active initiators 

for the polymerisation of lactide, 

and her work on electrophosphorescent polymers. 

Merck Research Lectureship 

Professor Peter Beak 

(University of Illinois, Urbana- 

Champagne, USA) 


to organolithium chemistry, organic 

reaction mechanisms and asymmetric synthesis. 

Sir Ronald Nyholm Lectureship 

Professor Robin Perutz CChem FRSC 

(University of York) 


contributions and advances 

in the understanding of 

reaction mechanisms of organometallic and 

coordination compounds, by combining 

photochemical initiation with low temperature 

matrix and room temperature timeresolved 

spectroscopic techniques. 

Robert Robinson Lectureship 

Professor Steven Ley CChem FRSC FRS 



and innovative contributions 

to synthetic organic chemistry, 

including the completion of many total syntheses 

and the introduction of novel synthetic reagents 

which have profoundly influenced the development 

of the subject over the last few years and 

which will continue to have a lasting impact. 

SAC Gold Medals 

Professor Elizabeth Hall CChem FRSC 


Internationally distinguished for her 

research on the development of 

electrochemical and spectroscopic 

biosensors, and for her contributions to education 

and training in the analytical sciences. 

Professor Ian Wilson EurChem CChem 

FRSC (AstraZeneca, Macclesfield) 

Distinguished for his innovations in 

the multiple linking of spectroscopic 

and chromatographic techniques. 

SAC Silver Medal 

Dr Alastair Lewis 

(University of York) 


contributions to atmospheric 

and pollution monitoring. 


AWARDS 

Schools Education Awards 

Dr Simon Cotton CChem FRSC 

(Uppingham School) 

Distinguished for his innovative 

and energetic teaching of chemistry 

in classroom and laboratory over 

many years, engaging the attention and interest 

of his students, and establishing a reputation 

for chemistry in the school; and for Soundbite 

Molecules, his lively, topical and well-researched 

regular contributions to Education in Chemistry. 

Mr Tim Harrison MRSC 

(Rednock School, Dursley) 

Distinguished as an inspirational 

teacher by his peers, parents and 

students and for his enthusiasm 

and innovation in the promotion and teaching 

of chemistry to GCSE and A/AS Level students, 

younger chemistry teachers, and MSc in Science 

Education students, all yielding excellent results. 

Ms Lorelly Wilson CChem MRSC 


Distinguished for promoting a 

positive image for chemistry and 

making it interesting and exciting 

through practical workshops for several thousand 

primary school children; as well as through 

projects and talks for secondary students of all 

abilities, their parents and the general public. 

Simonsen Lectureship 

Professor Anthony Barrett MRSC FRS 



contributions and unique approach 

to the total synthesis of a wide 

range of structurally complex natural products, 

most recently including the polycyclopropyl 

antifungal agents, which have necessitated 

the design of novel synthetic methods. 

George and Christine Sosnovsky Award 

in Cancer Therapy 

Professor Laurence Hurley 

(University of Arizona, Tucson, USA) 

Distinguished for his leading role 

in interpreting the molecular 

basis of a number of anti-cancer 

drugs. In particular, he has pioneered the study 

of protein-DNA-drug interactions for elucidating 

mechanism and most recently has been prominent 

in developing the concept of high-order DNA 

structures as novel therapeutic targets. His work 

has been characterised by elegant mechanistic 

insights, together with the use of medicinal 

chemistry principles and knowledge of the 

underlying cell and molecular biology of cancer. 

Spiers Memorial Medal 

Professor James Heath 

(University of California, 

Los Angeles, USA) 


seminal contributions to the 

developing science of molecular electronics, 

particularly work aimed at the integration 

of complex molecules, nanoparticles and 

nanowires into novel electronic devices. 

Sir George Stokes Medal 

Professor Sir John Meurig Thomas 

CChem FRSC FRSE FRS 



pioneering and innovative 

electron-based nanochemical analyses. 

Theophilus Redwood Lectureship 

Professor R Zenobi 

(ETH, Zurich, Switzerland) 

Distinguished for his significant 

contributions to the understanding 

of the mechanism of ion formation 

in matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization 

(MALDI) mass spectrometry and using MALDI 

to solve problems in many areas of chemistry 

including, most recently, atmospheric analysis. 

Tilden Lectureships 

Professor Paul Beer CChem FRSC 

(University of Oxford) 

Distinguished for his design and 

synthesis of molecular frameworks 

that selectively sense and signal 

the binding of cationic and anionic species. 

Professor Richard Compton CChem 

FRSC (University of Oxford) 

Distinguished for his innovative, 

quantitative investigations of 

the kinetics and mechanisms 

of reactions at solid/liquid interfaces. 

Professor David Knight CChem FRSC 

(Cardiff University) 


outstanding contributions to 

heterocyclic chemistry, pericyclic 

processes and natural product synthesis. 

Sir Geoffrey Wilkinson Lectureship 

Professor David Cole-Hamilton CChem 

FRSC (University of St Andrews) 

Distinguished for his significant 

and innovative developments 

of catalyses effected by 

transition metal complexes and for new 

and original insights concerning the mode 

of action of several of these systems. 

RSC Industrially 

Sponsored Awards 

These highly prestigious awards have 

been made possible through the generous 

assistance of the numerous sponsoring 

industrial companies and organisations. 

For every award, equal consideration 

is given to candidates who have made 

fundamental contributions to their 

subject and to those whose work has 

been dedicated to its application. 

There are 48 such awards on offer during 

the current 10 year cycle and 17 of these 

have been awarded for 2004 as follows. 

Chemistry of the Noble Metals 

Corus Group 

Dr Mathias Brust 

(University of Liverpool) 


to the study of gold nanoparticles 

and their interactions with proteins 

and other biological molecules that have led 

to a clearer understanding of the behaviour of 

nanoparticles in this context. The work is aimed 

at the rational exploitation of their properties 

and has an impact on a broad range of 

potential future applications with relevance from 

catalysis and electronics through to medicine. 

Corrosion Science 

Chemetall 

Dr Anthony Hughes 

(CSIRO, Clayton, Australia) 


to the understanding,prediction 

and resolution of corrosion 

problems in highly demanding aerospace 

applications, bringing intellectually 

sophisticated methods to bear on operational 

challenges while maintaining sensitivity to 

the associated environmental issues. 



Fuel Cell Science and Technology – The 

Francis Bacon Medal 

Ford Motor Company Ltd 

Dr Paul Stonehart CChem FRSC 

(Stonehart Associates, 

Madison, Connecticut, USA) 

Distinguished for his pre-eminent 

and lasting contributions to fuel cell 

catalysis and design. For nearly 30 years, he has 

run a successful company responsible for a large 

number of innovative products and embodied the 

fortunes of the fuel cell industry over this period. 

Heterocyclic Chemistry 

Pfizer Global Research and Development 

Professor Timothy Gallagher CChem 

FRSC (University of Bristol) 

Distinguished for his many seminal 

contributions to the synthesis 

of saturated heterocycles and 

in particular, his use of azomethine ylids for the 

synthesis of oxapenams and other β-lactams. 

Heterogeneous Catalysis 

Johnson Matthey plc 

Professor Graham Hutchings CSci 

CChem FRSC (Cardiff University) 

Distinguished for his exceptional 

contribution to the understanding 

and application of catalysis 

theory and function in methane oxidative 

coupling, alkane oxidation and gold catalysis. 

High Throughput Drug Discovery 

Methodologies 

Millennium Pharmaceuticals Limited 

Dr Brian Warrington CSci CChem FRSC 

(GlaxoSmithKline, Harlow) 

Distinguished for his pioneering 

work that led to the creation 

of the world’s first ‘compound 

factory’ based on high throughput synthesis, 

and his leadership in the field of microfluidics 

for compound synthesis and screening. 

Magnetic Resonance Spectroscopy 

Varian NMR Division 

Dr James Keeler 



impressive record in NMR 

pulse sequence innovation, 

especially involving NOE measurements 

and the use of pulsed field gradients. 

Mass Spectrometry 

Thermo Finnigan 

Professor Simon Gaskell CChem FRSC 



and sustained contributions to the 

development and application of 

a range of mass spectrometric techniques to the 

study of biologically important compounds. Of 

especial note is his integrated approach to the use 

of tandem mass spectrometry and ion chemistry 

in the fields of proteomics and metabolomics. 

Organic Reaction Mechanisms 

Avecia Ltd 

Professor Varinder Aggarwal MRSC 



outstanding use of mechanistic 

studies in the synthetic 

arena, in particular on the Baylis-Hillman 

reaction, and sulfur ylide epoxidation. 

Organometallic Chemistry 

Davy Process Technology 

Professor Gerard Parkin CChem MRSC 

(Columbia University, New York, USA) 

Distinguished for his experimental 

and theoretical discoveries 

concerning oxidative addition 

and reductive elimination reactions. He has 

revealed the principles underlying isotope 

effects, ansa-bridges and diastereoselectivity, 

and has also made major contributions 

to the biomimetic chemistry of zinc. 

Peptides and Proteins 

AstraZeneca 

Professor Sheena Radford FRSC 

(University of Leeds) 

Distinguished for her outstanding 

contributions to the understanding 

of protein folding mechanisms, 

and particularly the determination of the roles 

of intermediates in protein folding pathways. 

Reaction Kinetics and Mechanisms 

Shell Global Solutions 

Professor John Plane CChem MRSC 

(University of East Anglia) 


seminal experimental and 

theoretical investigations 

of the kinetics of reactions of importance 

in the mesosphere and troposphere. 

Sensors 

Amersham Plc 

Professor Christopher Lowe FRSC 


Distinguished for his innovative 

combination of biological 

science with electronics and 

materials science that has had a major 

international impact on the development 

of novel biosensors and diagnostics. 

Ground-breaking fundamental research 

has underpinned the successful commercial 

delivery of a significant range of biosensors. 

Solid State Chemistry 

Johnson Matthey plc, Materials Chemistry Division 

Professor Peter Bruce CChem FRSC 

FRS (University of St Andrews) 


structural and characterisation 

studies of novel functional 

materials, especially those of relevance 

to energy conversion technologies. 

Structural Chemistry 

Cambridge Crystallographic Data Centre 

Professor Guy Orpen MRSC 


Distinguished for his structural 

systematics studies of metal 

complexes, in particular in 

collaboration with the Cambridge Crystallographic 

Data Centre, that have made a truly 

major impact on the chemistry community 

worldwide. His applications of these results 

to new synthetic chemistry are a compelling 

and exciting approach for systematically 

harnessing structural chemistry data. 

Surface and Colloid Chemistry 

Unilever R&D Colworth 

Professor Brian Vincent FRSC 



outstanding contributions 

over a long period to a range 

of different aspects of colloid science. 

Tertiary Education 

ICI Technology 

Dr Tina Overton CChem MRSC 

(University of Hull) 

Distinguished for her awareness 

and understanding of the problems 

associated with providing high 

quality chemistry education at tertiary level and for 

her endeavours over many years to inspire others 

to follow her example in seeking solutions to them. 


MEMBER NEWS 

Research made 

simple – using 

the RSC Library 

Carrying out literature researches and 

surveys is easier than ever before 

thanks to the remote access resources 

made available by the RSC’s Library 

& Information Centre (LIC). You can 

now search and request the full text 

from home or your workplace. 

A full-text option for document supply 

is one of the LIC’s latest innovative 

services for members. Here's an 

example of how it can be used: 

A chemist is researching into the 

synthesis of doubled-walled nanotubes. 

A brief search on British Library Direct 

leads to 17 articles, three of which come 

from RSC journals including “Preparation 

of highly pure double-walled carbon 

nanotubes” from the Journal of Materials 

Chemistry 2003. Of these 17 articles 

nine have abstracts and are available for 

immediate download. The others can 

be scanned by the British Library and 

delivered by pdf, or you can choose to 

have the article delivered by post. 

Other options are also available 

including searching individual publisher 

sites and document delivery companies. 

An alternative search on the highly 

specific chemical databases from 

ChemVillage produces 58 records, many of 

which come from RSC journals including 

“Gram-scale CCVD synthesis of doublewalled 

carbon nanotubes” from Chemical 

Communications 2003. All these articles 

can be ordered from British Library 

Direct or the publisher’s own sites. 

For further details on how to do-ityourself 

visit www.rsc.org/library and click 

on "Full text options for document supply" 

for British Library Direct and "Library 

Member-only resources" for ChemVillage, 

Knovel and Swetswise Tables of Content. 

■i 

Remember you are not alone! 

Simply contact us if you can’t 

find what you want or are experiencing 

difficulties. Nazma Masud, tel: 020 7440 

3376 or email: Library@rsc.org 

Visit the library site at:www.rsc.org/ 

library 

Membership Applications: 

Your questions answered 

The Applications Team is based at Thomas 

Graham House and has six staff, led by Hilary 

White. The team’s main role is to process all 

applications for membership and the award 

of CChem and other professional designations 

(e.g. EurChem, CSci). The team also provides 

advice and guidance to prospective and existing 

members regarding applications. 

Your RSC membership application… 

The team receives all membership and CChem 

application forms and is responsible for verifying 

and evaluating qualifications, requesting and 

receiving references, and processing payments. 

It then collates all relevant information for 

consideration by the Application Committee. 

The Committee is made up of 12 members 

from a variety of backgrounds. After each 

meeting, the team is responsible for 

communicating the Committee’s decisions, 

which in the main involves issuing certificates, 

membership cards and other information. A 

very small number of applicants are invited to 

attend a professional interview. 

Frequently asked questions... 

Does my degree satisfy the requirements? 

The RSC recognises a wide range of degrees 

in the chemical sciences for AMRSC (Associate 

Member). An honours degree programme 

(e.g. BSc/MChem/MSci) that contains >50% 

Chemical Science will satisfy the admission 

criteria. Chemical Science relates not only 

to traditional areas of chemistry but also to 

the interface of chemistry with other scientific 

disciplines, e.g. biochemistry, materials science, 

pharmacy, pharmacology, pharmaceutical 

sciences, environmental analysis, analytical 

science, molecular modelling. If you are unsure 

please contact the Applications Team Leader. 

What is a course transcript? 

A course transcript should be available from the 

University/Institution at which you undertook 

your first degree. This should provide details 

regarding all the subjects studied over the 

course of your degree. 

Do I need to resend my degree certificates/ 

transcripts when transferring? 

You are only required to provide evidence of 

any qualifications gained since your previous 

application. 

How much does it cost to apply to transfer 

my membership category? 

Nothing, so long as you have already paid your 

annual subscription, except if you are applying 

for Fellow (FRSC) which requires a £50.00 

application fee. 

I am the only chemical scientist at my 

place of employment and can not find any 

members to act as referees. 

If you are having difficulties in locating 

the required referees please contact the 

Applications Team Leader who will be able to 

assist you. 

The application form does not have enough 

space to enable me to provide details of my 

entire career, should I only give details on 

my current and previous post? 

Details regarding your complete career history 

must be provided. You should complete what 

you can within the form and then provide 

additional sheets giving any prior experience. 

How long will my application take? 

Your nominated referees are contacted the day 

your application is received. Once their replies 

are received your application will be presented 

to the Applications Committee who make the 

final decision for each application regarding 

admission. The Committee meets 6 times each 

year, usually alternate months. The average time 

required for an application is four weeks but 

this cannot be guaranteed. 

How can I become a Chartered Chemist 

(CChem)? 

Once you have been admitted as a Member 

(MRSC) or Fellow (FRSC) you can register for 

the award of Chartered Chemist. The usual 

route to CChem is via a two year Professional 

Development Programme (PDP). However 

anyone with over ten years postgraduate 

experience can register for the direct award. 

Information regarding the PDP and Direct 

Award can be found on our web site or can be 

obtained from the Admissions & Qualifications 

Department. 

■i 

You can contact the Applications Team 

on: 01223 432316 

or email: memapp@rsc.org 

For more information on joining the RSC, 

visit: www.rsc.org/Membership/join/ 



RSC Annual General 

Meeting 2005 Report 

Outstanding successes in publishing and 

campaigning were highlighted by President Dr 

Simon Campbell at the RSC Annual General 

Meeting in Burlington House on 23 June. 

Simon Campbell addressed the meeting: 

“We are extremely fortunate with the successes 

of our Publishing activities, managed by Peter 

Gregory, which provided an important source 

of income. Recent significant highlights are 

the launch of the two journals Molecular 

Biosystems and Soft Matter, and the move 

to weekly publication of ChemComm and 

the Journal of Materials Chemistry. We are 

delighted with the achievements of Chemistry 

World in winning the award for Best New 

Journal 2004 from the Association of Learned 

and Professional Society Publishers. 

“Our Campaign for Chemical Sciences is 

becoming increasingly effective in delivering 

the views of the RSC. The past year has 

seen fruitful meetings at 10 Downing Street, 

meetings with politicians including Gordon 

Brown, Charles Clarke, Patricia Hewitt, Lord 

Sainsbury, and meetings with Sir Howard 

Newby and Sir David King. At our extremely 

successful Parliamentary Links Day, the Prime 

Minister, Tony Blair MP was present to give a 

short speech underlying his support for science 

and technology. [see page one of this month’s 

RSC News] 

“Another significant achievement is our 

success in securing a £1million grant to support 

university chemistry departments through 

the AimHigher project, Chemistry: the Next 

Generation. 

“In pursuing our goal of increasing our 

influence in Europe, the RSC has published 

policy positions on the European Research 

Council and the REACH legislation and plays 

a leading role in the European Association for 

Chemical and Molecular Sciences, EuCheMS. 

“We are actively responding to the continuing 

globalisation of the industry base, with an 

increasingly active role worldwide, and I am 

looking forward to participating in some key 

international events in China, Korea, Cuba and 

Africa. 

“In support of all these initiatives, we have 

our new redesigned web site www.rsc.org 

to improve promotion of RSC resources for 

members and the wider chemical science 

community.” 

The Honorary Treasurer, Dr Barry Price 

presented the 2004 accounts which show that 

that RSC had a good year financially in 2004. 

The General Fund had a surplus of £2.5m 

while the continued recovery in equity markets 

had helped the value of RSC investments to 

grow by £3.5million. Total funds had increased 

by £6.1 million to £55.5 million. Adoption 

of the accounts was proposed by Diana 

Simpson, seconded by David Whan and carried 

unanimously. 

Continuing with the formalities, Simon 

Campbell announced the election of Professor 

Jim Feast as President Elect and Elliot Finer as 

Honorary Treasurer. The following four people 

were elected as Ordinary Member of Councils: 

Professor Pierre Braunstein, Dr John Macdonald, 

Professor Graham Richards and Dr Peter 

Stockwell. Dr Karon Buck was elected to serve 

on the Education and Qualifications Board. 

The AGM approved the appointment of 

PricewaterhouseCoopers as auditors of the RSC 

for 2005. 

Simon Campbell thanked the retiring 

Immediate Past President Professor Sir Harry 

Kroto for his valuable support for the RSC and 

Barry Price, the retiring Honorary Treasurer, for 

his significant contribution over five years to 

the excellent financial health of the RSC. Then 

he welcomed the members of the new style 

smaller RSC Council. [for a list see page four of 

this month's RSC News] 

Concluding the meeting, Professor Joe 

Connor formally thanked the many volunteers 

who had helped towards the RSC’s successes 

and especially in raising its profile, all those 

who had given their time voluntarily to serve 

on Council, Boards, Interest groups and other 

committees, those involved in Local sections as 

at home and overseas, RSC representatives and 

Benevolent Fund volunteers. 

■i 

Full details of the accounts are shown 

in the Annual Record and Trustees’ 

Report, copies of which are available on 

request from Mike Graves, Finance Director, 

RSC Cambridge, 

email: gravesm@rsc.org 

Deaths 

Mr George Percival Acock CChem MRSC 

Retired technical consultant, Three Quays 

Marine Services. Died 1 June 2005, aged 89 

Mr Leonard Mile Burgess CChem FRSC 

Retired, Slough College of Technology. Died 5 

June 2005, aged 76 

Prof John Richard Clamp CChem FRSC 

Formerly professor of experimental medicine, 

University of Bristol. Died 12 June 2005, aged 

78 

Dr Edwin George Barton Crundwell 

CChem FRSC 

Retired principle lecturer, Portsmouth College 

of Technology. Died 29 April 2005, aged 77 

Dr David William Gillings CChem FRSC 

Retired consultant, ICI Plc. Died 16 March 

2005, aged 89 

Mr John Graham Gosling CChem FRSC 

Retired process manager, BA Chemicals Ltd. 

Died 20 April 2005, aged 72 

Mr Norman Thomas Harper CChem FRSC 

Retired assistant works manager, British 

Nuclear Fuels Ltd. Died 7 June 2005, aged 81 

Dr Alan Thomas Howarth CChem MRSC 

OBE 

Retired biochemist, Bradford Health 

Authority. Died 10 May 2005, aged 83 

Mr Norman Dunvegan Macleod CChem 

FRSC 

Retired president, ICI (Japan) Ltd. Died 31 

May 2005, aged 83 

Mr Ernest George Newton Marsden MRSC 

Retired. Died 10 April 2005, aged 92 

Mr Peter Lewis McIlmoyle CChem FRSC 

Retired business research manager, Castrol 

Ltd. Died 16 June 2005, aged 72 

Prof Daniel Joseph Morantz CChem FRSC 

Retired deputy principle & director, London 

College of Printing. Died 26 May 2005, aged 

80 

Mr John Frederick Mosedale MRSC 

Formerly site chemist, Alstom Export SDN 

BHD. Died 11 May 2005, aged 57 

Mr James Thomas Stanley Stripe CChem 

MRSC 

Retired productivity services, Johnson 

Matthey Chemicals. Died 20 June 2005, aged 

78 

Baron Clem Von Chey MRSC 

Formerly self employed chemical engineer. 

Died 12 November 2004, aged 81 

Mr John Idris Williams MRSC 

Retired technical officer, Associated Octel Co 

Ltd. Died 7 May 2005, aged 78 

Mr Robert Ivan Wood CChem FRSC 

Retired technical director, Cabot Carbon Ltd. 

Died 7 May 2005, aged 81 


AND FINALLY... 

Rewards for staff innovation 

In June the RSC recognised staff who have 

made important contributions to its publishing 

activities. Jan Dean, Adrian Kybett, Dave 

Riddick, Ruth Steadman and Errol Zielke were 

presented with Publishing Innovation Awards 

for enhancing staff training and IT support. 

Jan, Adrian, Dave and Ruth received their 

awards for the successful development and 

implementation of the RSC’s graduate training 

scheme. The scheme began in early 2004 and 

combines a year of on-the-job guidance from 

experienced staff allied with a programme 

of instruction in all areas of RSC activities. 

Successful completion of the training results 

in qualification for peer-review editorial or 

technical production roles within the RSC. 

So far over 30 graduates have enrolled on the 

scheme. The first entrants have now completed 

their courses and are fully integrated into their 

teams. 

Dave Riddick commented: “There are lots of 

other people who also deserve credit for the 

success of the scheme, including publishing 

team leaders, managing editors and the 

graduates themselves.” 

Errol Zielke won his award for developing 

the RSC’s IT infrastructure, making it more 

robust and adaptable for future needs. He said: 

“We’ve put in place a development plan that 

will help us keep improving our service over the 

next five to ten years. The strategic investment 

helps all aspects of the RSC run more reliably. 

“I would like to thank all the staff from the 

Information and Communication Technology 

department for all their hard work in making 

the infrastructure changes a reality.” 

Summer 

Party 

Delights 

The Annual RSC Summer Party took place 

in Burlington House at the Royal Academy 

of Arts on 13 July. 

Almost 600 people attended the event, 

with Members catching up with old 

friends and mixing with such distinguished 

guests as Carl Djerassi. They enjoyed a 

champagne reception and a private view 

of the Royal Academy Summer Exhibition, 

followed by a buffet supper. 

Dr Neville Reed, RSC Director of 

Communications, proclaimed the 

occasion a great social success: “It was 

a superb evening mixing fine art and fine 

conversation.” 

From l to r: Errol Zielke, Ruth Steadman, Dave Riddick, Jan Dean and Adrian Kybett 

CONTACT US 

ROYAL SOCIETY OF CHEMISTRY 

Burlington House, Piccadilly, London W1J 0BA 

Tel: +44 (0)20 7437 8656 

Fax: +44 (0)20 7437 8883 

Thomas Graham House, Science Park, 

Milton Road, Cambridge CB4 0WF 

Tel: +44 (0)1223 420066 

Fax: +44 (0)1223 423623 

email: rsc@rsc.org 

www.rsc.org 

Registered Charity Number 207890 

RSC NEWS EDITORIAL OFFICE 

Thomas Graham House 

Tel: +44 (0)1223 432375 

Fax: +44 (0)1223 426594 

Email: rscnews@rsc.org 

Editor: Carolyn Ackers 

© The Royal Society of Chemistry 2004 

Acting Chief Executive 

With the retirement of Dr David Giachardi, Council has appointed Mike Graves, RSC Finance 

Director, as Acting CEO from 1 August until a permanent appointment is made. 

Mike can be contacted at 01223 432330; gravesm@rsc.org 

Good News for 2006 - membership 

subscription by monthly instalments! 

For your 2006 membership the RSC is planning to offer you 

the option of paying your membership subscription by monthly 

instalments (excluding students). 

More details will appear in RSC News and on the website and 

we will be contacting members directly 

during the summer.

ALLY... - Royal Society of Chemistry

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