aiche

Indianapolis Section
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 aiche

D I S T I L L A T E S

American Institute of Chemical Engineers

Indianapolis Section

January 2004 Newsletter

Editor: Lia Treffman

January Meeting

We will once again be joining ACS for an exciting event! Scott Haraburda, program manager for the Newport Chemical Agent Disposal facility will present "Neutralization of VX: Using Unclassified Information from the Newport Project". A brief abstract of the presentation:

Most nerve agents belong to a group of chemicals called "organophosphates". The first of these chemicals was made in 1854 and was originally developed to be used to control insects and save crops. The first nerve agent (called "Tabun" or "GA") for military use was made in Germany in 1936. The United States and Russia continued producing and stockpiling these nerve agents after the War. In the 1950's another nerve agent, "VX", was produced in England. The United States manufactured VX nerve agent at the Newport Chemical Depot in Indiana from 1961 through 1968. With a Presidential moratorium to prevent the production and the transpiration of chemical weapons within the United States, the depot has safely protected and stored an unspecified amount of this agent. This presentation describes the process by which nerve agents affect the human body, including identifying several key symptoms from nerve agent exposure.

When: Tuesday, January 20, 2004
Where: Ben Davis High School, Indianapolis, Indiana
Schedule: 5:45 p.m. Gather; 6:00-7:00 p.m. Presentation

2003/04 Meeting Schedule (including special events)

February 17, 2004: Joint Meeting with ACS
Speaker: Cathy R. Hood, PE, Manager, Society for Biological Engineering, American Institute of Chemical Engineers
Venue: Eli Lilly Corporate Center, Business Dining Room
Date, February 17, 2004
Dinner: 6:00 PM - 7:00 PM
Presentation: 7:00 PM - 8:00 PM
Topic: Biological Engineering
Cost of Dinner: $15.00/person (Students Free)
RSVP by February 13, 2004.

Message from the Local Indianapolis AIChE Chairman

As chemical engineers in the state, we are part of a scientific community that includes researchers, professional organizations, businesses, universities, state and local agencies, funding groups, and others that provide opportunities for developments and potential job growth areas in the state. A strong scientific community draws attention for investments and builds upon itself in such areas as life sciences, advanced manufacturing (nanotechnology and fuel cells), energy, recycling, and many other efforts. When we do our best, the state benefits. Your involvement is greatly appreciated!!! At the 2003 Annual Meeting of AIChE in San Francisco, a record-breaking 6,031 chemical engineering professionals were in attendance. Highlights included the launch of AIChE's Society for Biological Engineering (SBE), a technological center to connect interdisciplinary professionals within the biological industry. The role of SBE will have a research focus and could have a wide audience in the Indianapolis area that can strengthen our role as a professional organization. On February 17, 2004, we will be having a joint meeting with the American Chemical Society to hear more about this in a presentation by Cathy Hood of AIChE. Please plan to attend.  

Thomas E. Leas PE, Chairman of the AIChE Indianapolis Section

Advance Notice: AIChE Spring Meeting April 25-29, 2004 - New Orleans, LA

The AIChE Spring Meeting scheduled for April 25-29, 2004 in New Orleans, LA,  will cover the following areas of interest:

and will also address important issues including: For more information, visit their website at www.aiche.org/spring.

From the January AIChE Exchange:

JOBSEEKER AND EMPLOYER RESOURCES
Looking for a job or have a job to fill? Consider AIChE's many recruiting options.

Classified Advertising in CEP: Affordable listings in the Institute's flagship publication reach AIChE's high-caliber constituency.

CareerEngineer: The only recruiting Web site geared specifically for chemical professionals. Jobseekers can conduct a targeted job search, apply online, and upload their resume for no charge in the Premier Resume Database. Employers who subscribe take a proactive approach to finding the right candidate. Visit www.aiche.org/careerservices to learn more. To place an ad, contact Denise DeLuca Mallon, AIChE account executive, at 212-591-7170; denid@aiche.org. Discounts are available for multiple and Web/print combination ads.

THE YEAR IN REVIEW: HIGH TECH
Take a look at the top 100 technological innovations of 2003, including GPS and Wi-Fi, rotary and rockets. It's the gear that made the year. www.popsci.com/popsci/bown/

BIOTECH AND PHARMACEUTICAL CONFERENCE
Learn how biotechnology is transforming the pharmaceutical sciences at The American Association of Pharmaceutical Scientists (AAPS) National Biotechnology Conference, May 16-19, Boston, MA, featuring multiple tracks, poster sessions, exhibits, and career center. Cosponsored by AIChE and U.S. FDA. For program and registration information, visit www.aapspharmaceutica.com/nationalbiotech.

ROBERT LANGER DISCUSSION
Learn about recent developments in fields like biotech and artificial intelligence at MIT's satellite broadcast "Innovation at the Interface: Technological Fusion at MIT," January 21 at 7 pm. Sponsored by the MIT Enterprise Forum, the program will feature AIChE member Dr. Robert Langer,professor of chemical and biomedical engineering and Dr. Rodney Brooks, director of the MIT Computer Science and Artificial Intelligence Laboratory. To attend or find a satellite-viewing site near you, visit www.web.mit.edu/entforum/SBSnext.html or contact mitef@mit.edu; 617-253-0015.

DESIGNING A SUSTAINABLE FUTURE
Interdisciplinary teams of students will design solutions to meet sustainability technical challenges in the EPA's student sustainable Design contest. The teams of graduate and/or undergraduate students are encouraged to partner with industry and/or NGO communicates for guidance, R&D, contributions, and implementation. Applications are due by March 15, 2004.

For more information, visit: es.epa.gov/ncer/p3. AIChE is a cosponsor, and will nominate a member to help judge. Interested? Contact Darlene Schuster at darls@aiche.org.

2003 ANNUAL MEETING PROCEEDINGS CD-ROM AVAILABLE
AIChE's first-ever overall meeting contains over 1,000 papers and 9,000 pages from topical and non-topical authors from the 2003 AIChE Annual Meeting. The total cost is $99. To order, contact Omnipress at shop.omnipress.com/aiche-members.asp or call 1-800-482-4788

CALL FOR PAPERS: GREEN CHEMISTRY AND ENGINEERING
A call for papers has been issued for the 8th Annual Green Chemistry and Engineering Conference, "Green Chemistry and Engineering: The Business Imperative for Sustainability," June 28-30, Washington, D.C. Abstracts must be submitted by January 30, 2004. Sessions will address successful innovations in green chemistry and engineering and will consider next steps for the adoption of these technologies in business. Conference information and electronic submission of abstracts is available at: chemistry.org/meetings/greenchem2004.html

ARE YOU READY FOR THE SUPERBOWL?
The first Superbowl game was played January 15, 1967 by the Green Bay Packers and Kansas City Chiefs. This year, Superbowl XXXVIII will be held February 1. Whether you're rooting for your team or demolishing the seven-layer dip, here's a site for you: entertaining.about.com/cs/superbowlsunday.

AIChE Executive Committee
Indianapolis Section, 2003-2004