7.) Outside of chemistry, what are some of the things you enjoying doing for fun?
The website has driving music, some of which I selected for our tour. I have an extensive collection of what we now call classic—not classical, mind you, classic—music. And I enjoy testing the hardness but resiliency of a titanium driver against the softness of the urethane cover of a golf ball.
8.) Tell us about this year's National Chemistry Week theme "The Joy of Toys."
Toys have changed a lot in my lifetime. Today they are brighter, safer, more interactive and more durable. The brilliant colors come from newly developed paints and pigments that do not fade in the sun. We have also learned ways to include the coloring within plastic and rubber materials, so that the coloring does not chip off.
Plastics and rubber materials used in toys today are also safer for children than the wooden and metal toys that I grew up with. They won’t splinter, or cut you when they break or rust. They can also be molded into rounded shapes without sharp corners or points. Chemistry has also been used to make silicon chips which are smaller and faster every day. These chips are capable of performing thousands of calculations per second so that your video game or dancing Elmo never misses a beat.
LED lights also burn brighter using less battery power, so flashing lights last longer without fear of breaking a bulb if a toy gets dropped. Today’s toys made of plastic and rubber materials bounce back time after time keeping children safe and providing more value for your dollar.
9.) What are some of the opportunities available for young people during National Chemistry Week 2005?
During National Chemistry Week more than 10,000 volunteers will be going to schools, museums, science centers and libraries across the country to present hands-on science experiments to children. Some will even be going to sporting events, shopping malls and in one case a train station. You can learn more about National Chemistry week and activities in your area by visiting www.chemistryweek.org.
