CHEM eBook of the Week – Dec 22-Jan4

December 22nd, 2009

Biobased Surfactants and Detergents: Synthesis, Properties, and Applications
Douglas G. Hayes, Dai Kitamoto, Daniel K.Y. Solaiman, and Richard D. Ashby, eds.
AOCS Press © 2009

“Today’s petroleum prices and supply issues mean more interest in biobased surfactants and detergents, which can outperform, synthetic, petroleum-derived, surfactants (biodegradability, biocompatibility, and measures of sustainability). Consumers want eco-friendly and biobased products, leading to increased use of biobased surfactants. This new, must-have book covers biosurfactants: synthesis and applications. Contents include how to reduce manufacturing and purification costs, impurities, and by-products.”

CHEM eBook of the Week – Dec 15-21

December 15th, 2009

Assigning Structures to Ions in Mass Spectrometry
John L. Holmes, Christiane Aubry,  and Paul M. Mayer
CRC Press © 2006

“Summarizing our present knowledge of the structures and chemistry of small organic cations in the gas phase, Assigning Structures to Ions in Mass Spectrometry presents the methods necessary for determining gas-phase ion structures. It is a comprehensive resource of background material that is essential for the interpretation and understanding of organic mass spectra.

Following a historical introduction of chief discoveries, the book surveys current experimental methods for ion production and separation as well as those designed to reveal qualitative and quantitative aspects of gas-phase ions. It also examines the computational chemistry and theoretical calculations that provide complementary thermochemical, structural, and mechanistic information. Five selected case studies illustrate specific challenges associated with ion structure assignment and thermochemical problems. The last major section of the book contains the data for describing or identifying all ions containing C alone and C with H, O, N, S, P, halogens, and small organic cations.”

DLC Equipment hours during Break

December 14th, 2009

The last day for 3 day loans on DLC equipment will be on December 15.  Equipment can still be checked out for 1 day loans on December 16 and 17.  All equipment will be due back on December 18. 

Equipment will not be available from December 19 through January 3.  Bookings will be available from January 4 through January 8.  Equipment can be returned to the DLC on December 19 and December 21 through December 23.

DLC Equipment hours during Break

December 14th, 2009

The last day for 3 day loans on DLC equipment will be on December 15.  Equipment can still be checked out for 1 day loans on December 16 and 17.  All equipment will be due back on December 18. 

Equipment will not be available from December 19 through January 3.  Bookings will be available from January 4 through January 8.  Equipment can be returned to the DLC on December 19 and December 21 through December 23.

CSD – 500,000th Crystal Structure Milestone Reached

December 10th, 2009

The Cambridge Structural Database (CSD) has reached the 500,000th crystal structure landmark.  Read the press release and connect to the web version of the CSD at:

http://www.ccdc.cam.ac.uk/500000.php

Libraries test beta catalog search interface

December 9th, 2009

The Libraries catalog search engine now has two options for searching  — “Search Classic” or “Search Beta.” The beta version of the catalog search, made available to the public last week, offers faceted searching, or options for users to narrow their searches by format, author, or even library, among other categories. This brings the catalog search interface more in line with popular site search tools, like those at Amazon.com.

During the beta process, the Libraries Information Technology and Resource Services (ITRS) staff are watching for failed searches and other issues to determine any bugs that might be present. Sometimes, failed searches point to missing or inaccurate information in catalog records, which are being corrected as issues arise.

Users can submit feedback on the beta catalog through the tab on the left side of the screen in the beta search interface.

The search interface is based on the open-source software VuFind, which was developed by Villanova University and has been further developed by libraries all over the world. To access the catalog directly, visit http://catalog.lib.purdue.edu/.

CHEM eBook of the Week – Dec 8-14

December 8th, 2009

Metallic and Molecular Interactions in Nanometer Layers, Pores and Particles: New Findings at the Yoctolitre Level
Jurgen-Hinrich Fuhrhop and Tianyu Wang
RSC © 2009

“Nanochemistry offers the unique chance to work with almost all the elements of the periodic system to try to solve problems with new materials in architecture, medicine and electronics. This book draws together the published material on nanochemistry from 2005-2008, choosing each important element of the periodic table, summarising relevant general properties and then detailing the findings.

Coverage is aimed at materials researchers and the authors intend to bring the reader up-to-date with information which could alter the use of materials in an industry setting.”

Amelia Earhart artifacts and photographs used in Museum of Flight exhibit

December 3rd, 2009

Purdue Libraries-Archives and Special Collections

Artifacts and photographs from the George Palmer Putnam collection of Amelia Earhart papers housed in the Purdue Archives appear in the exhibit “In Search of Amelia Earhart” at the Museum of Flight in Seattle, Washington. The artifacts will return to the Purdue Archives and Special Collections in February 2010.

For more information about the exhibit, click here

Purdue Libraries contributes to City University of New York 2010 Calendar

December 3rd, 2009

Purdue Libraries-Archives and Special Collections

Purdue Libraries Contributes to City University of New York 2010 Calendar and Curriculum Project

December 3, 2009– This year, Purdue Libraries, Archives and Special Collections was among more than 100 public colleges and universities in all 50 states that contributed to the 2010 City University of New York’s (CUNY) calendar, website and curriculum project by sharing historic images and milestones from their own past.

Entitled, “Investing in Futures: Public Higher Education in America,” the 2010 calendar project is the sixth such collaboration bringing together CUNY, the LaGuardia and Wagner Archives and The New York Times Knowledge Network, with support provided by founding sponsors JPMorgan Chase and TIAA-CREF.

Visit the Investing In Futures calendar/curricula website:
http://www.cuny.edu/publichighered

“We are particularly enthused about this year’s calendar which underscores our country’s historic commitment to advanced learning and the importance of a strong system of public colleges and universities to America’s social and economic well-being,” said Craig Dunn, The New York Times’ Education Partnerships Manager. “Its launch reinforces President Obama’s recent announcement of the American Graduation Initiative and funding for community colleges.”

The LaGuardia and Wagner Archives, which produced the calendar, is housed at CUNY’s LaGuardia Community College in Queens, New York, The launch of the 2010 CUNY calendar, website and curriculum was celebrated at a reception on November 11 at The New York Times Conference Center. Dr. Muriel A. Howard, the president of the American Association of State Colleges and Universities, and a double CUNY alumna who earned her A.A. at the New York City College of Technology and her B.A. at the College of Staten Island, praised the calendar project in her remarks.

Contact
Purdue Libraries-Archives and Special Collections
Shauna Borger, Digital Collections Coordinator

LaGuardia and Wagner Archives:
Steven Levine, Coordinator for Educational Programs (718) 482-6067; slevine@lagcc.cuny.edu

New Earhart movie stirs memories of connection to Purdue

December 3rd, 2009

Purdue Libraries-Archives and Special Collections

New Earhart movie stirs memories of connection to Purdue

Exponent-This year marks the 72nd anniversary of Amelia Earhart’s disappearance en route to becoming the first person to fly around the world.

Read the full article here

View more Amelia Earhart images here