Vol. 16, No. 38	Aug. 7, 1997

UD hosts major ACS meeting

Eric W. Kaler, chemical engineering, and Ralph D. Nelson Jr., DuPont Co., co-chaired a major American Chemical Society (ACS) meeting June 29 to July 2 in Clayton Hall.

The 71st ACS Colloid & Surface Science Symposium featured more than 400 formal presentations, lectures and poster exhibitions.

"We were very honored to serve as host for this large national event," Kaler said. "By asking UD and the Delaware colloid community to host this symposium, the ACS recognized the strength of our programs in chemical engineering, civil and environmental en gineering and other areas, as well as the many accomplishments of our faculty."

Researchers from academia and industry compared notes on the chemistry of molecular surfaces and colloids. First defined in 1861 by Thomas Graham, colloids include starches, gelatins, aerosols and other substances with two or more phases-one of which is d ispersed in another, like soap in water. Colloids and surface reactions play a role, for example, in environmental events such as the interaction of aluminum and iron with natural organic matter. By studying the behavior of polymers at surface interfaces, researchers also can design better materials for a broad range of industrial, consumer and medical uses.

Representing UD on a local organizing committee for this year's symposium were Kaler and Janice Ziesing, conferences, who were assisted by Dawn Herr Yasik, chemical engineering. The technical program committee members included Nily Dan, Bramie Lenhoff, No rm Wagner and Mark Barteau, all chemical engineering; Donald L. Sparks, plant and soil sciences; and Steve Dentel and C.P. Huang, both civil and environmental engineering. A number of UD faculty, students and postdoctoral research associates presented fin dings during the conference.

The symposium was sponsored by UD, Henkel Corp., DuPont and ICI Surfactants.

--Ginger Pinholster