Chemistry and Physics at LSUS

1250 Caddo Parish high school students have attended LSUS science assemblies in their own school auditoriums over the past 5 weeks.Thank you to the schools that gave their students a break from the rigors of standardized testing to attend one of these fun and educational assemblies.

Scientists finally solve the mystery behind a 100-year-old chemistry experiment

Scientists finally solve the mystery behind a 100-year-old chemistry experiment Scientists may finally understand the mysterious transition behind a century-old chemistry experiment involving metals.

New system harnesses the strange magic of twisted graphene

More developments on twisted graphene. Fascinating studies, with a lot of potential applications.

New system harnesses the strange magic of twisted graphene Researchers have found ways to control the electron correlations that cause superconductivity in graphene sheets stacked at an angle

It is with deep regret and sadness that we announce the passing of our colleague and friend, Dr. James “Jack” Goodrich. Jack passed away of natural causes in Shreveport on March 25th, 2020.

He was a professor in the LSUS Chemistry Dept. from 1968-2006. Jack loved LSUS and our students, and we all loved him! He was a true gentleman, who took joy in learning about everything, and he always tried to put the needs of others before his own. Jack was also a veteran of the U.S. Air Force, having served during the Korean War.

Jack is survived by his wife Kay; son, Tim Goodrich (and wife, Elizabeth); daughter, Anne Hagan; sister, Carol Tucker; and grandchildren, Caroline and Cameryn Mason, Tristan Goodrich and Mason Hagan. Kay and Jack had just recently celebrated their 65th wedding anniversary.

Due to the ongoing coronavirus pandemic, funeral services were held privately, but Kay suggests that if people would like to make a contribution in Jack’s memory, please send it to:

Woody’s Home for Veterans
442 Jordan St.
Shreveport, LA 71101

(or to another local charity that supports military veterans or orphans)

We will miss you very much, Jack!

Powerful antibiotic discovered using machine learning for first time

A major breakthrough from combining medicinal chemistry with artificial intelligence.

Powerful antibiotic discovered using machine learning for first time Team at MIT says halicin kills some of the world’s most dangerous strains

Climate Change Conversations event at LSUS this morning.

The plot thickens for a hypothetical X17 particle

phys.org Fresh evidence of an unknown particle that could carry a fifth force of nature gives the NA64 collaboration at CERN a new incentive to continue searches.

Talented 12

Inspirational work. Remarkable people!

cen.acs.org Whether they’re tracking pollutants in the Arctic or proteins inside cells, these rising stars are fearlessly taking on some of the world’s most daunting problems

Kary Mullis dies at age 74

Kary Mullis, the Nobel laureate inventor of PCR (the polymerase chain reaction) has died at age 74. Next to the discovery of DNA itself, PCR was the greatest biochemistry discovery of the 20th Century.

Sometimes called "molecular photocopying," the polymerase chain reaction (PCR) is a fast and inexpensive technique used to "amplify" - copy - small segments of DNA. Because significant amounts of a sample of DNA are necessary for molecular and genetic analyses, studies of isolated pieces of DNA would be nearly impossible today without using PCR amplification.

cen.acs.org Biochemist received Nobel Prize for invention of PCR and attracted controversy for positions on climate change and AIDS

Close to 200 new Caddo teachers welcomed with spirit

Congratulations to the new Caddo Parish teachers!

ksla.com One at a time, new Caddo Parish School District teachers were celebrated as they walked down a cheerleader-lined sidewalk towards the entrance of University Hall on LSU - Shreveport’s campus to officially kick-off the year.

Here's an example of the perfect cover letter, according to Harvard career experts

Helpful advice on how to structure the cover letter for your job application.

https://www.cnbc.com/2019/07/23/example-of-the-perfect-cover-letter-according-to-harvard-career-experts.html

cnbc.com Never assume that you're the only qualified applicant applying for the job. Harvard career experts share tips on how to write a cover letter that differentiates you from everyone else.

Miss Louisiana 2019 Meagan Crews plans to use her voice to lift others

Congratulations LSU Shreveport student, Meagan Crews for being crowned Miss Louisiana!!!

And good luck to you competing in the Miss America Pageant. We are so proud of you!

thenewsstar.com 22-year-old is ready to spend her year serving the state and working to empower other young women.

Could Ultracapacitors Replace Batteries In Future Electric Vehicles?

Ultracapacitors are fascinating. The chemists and physicists of the future may achieve the breakthroughs needed to allow ultracapacitors to replace batteries.

interestingengineering.com Ultracapacitors or supercapacitors, if you prefer, are vastly superior to batteries in certain circumstances. But could advancements like the user of graphene enable them to replace batteries in the future?

Chemistry and Physics at LSUS

This is an excellent tutorial on how dye-sensitized solar cells work.

https://www.gamry.com/assets/Uploads/Dye-Solar-Cells-05-19-2015-Part-1-App-Note.pdf?utm_medium=email&utm_source=sharpspring&sslid=MzM2MrEwMDAxNTC1BAA&sseid=M7SwMDIztbQwMQYA&jobid=d096a151-38c8-4c62-9491-2c5c334838ad

www.gamry.com

This is an excellent tutorial on how dye-sensitized solar cells work.

https://www.gamry.com/assets/Uploads/Dye-Solar-Cells-05-19-2015-Part-1-App-Note.pdf?utm_medium=email&utm_source=sharpspring&sslid=MzM2MrEwMDAxNTC1BAA&sseid=M7SwMDIztbQwMQYA&jobid=d096a151-38c8-4c62-9491-2c5c334838ad

gamry.com

To upgrade quantum computers, researchers look to materials science

https://cen.acs.org/materials/electronic-materials/upgrade-quantum-computers-researchers-look/97/i15

cen.acs.org Scientists need to improve the basic elements of quantum circuits—qubits—to push their machines to the next level of quantum weirdness

Dark matter secrets could lie buried in ancient rocks on Earth

Dark matter may be right under us.

newscientist.com Fossil traces hidden deep underground may solve the mystery of dark matter, the elusive substance that makes up 80 per cent of the universe

Big Bang May Have Created a Mirror Universe Where Time Runs Backwards

The Big Bang may have created a mirror universe where time runs backwards.

pbs.org While time moves forward in our universe, it may run backward in another mirror universe that was created on the “other side” of the Big Bang.

Friedlieb Ferdinand Runge, the godfather of caffeine

Today we commemorate the 225th birthday of Friedlieb Ferdinand Runge, the "Godfather of Caffeine", and the discoverer of quinine.

newscientist.com Today's Google doodle celebrates Friedlieb Ferdinand Runge, who was the first to isolate caffeine and quinine but his contributions to chemistry are often overlooked

A long-awaited battery that would cut electric-vehicle costs may finally be close

technologyreview.com 24M is reducing manufacturing costs by stripping out extraneous materials—and just got $22 million to begin building its first commercial factory.

Fluoride discovery could lead to much longer-lasting EV batteries

Sometimes it’s beneficial to focus on “the negative”.....when it’s electronegative.

engadget.com Battery breakthrough could help fluoride trump lithium.