Damian Lillard and Jusuf Nurkic are proof that chemistry matters – Blazer’s Edge

Portland Trail Blazers guard Damian Lillard is known for his deep three point shots, his clutch, game-winning moments, and his ability to bring his team back from a deficit. Beyond that, hes clearly stepped into his role as THE leader among his teammates, both on and off the court. Countless stories paint Lillard reaching out to new teammates when they come to the Blazers, Whether theyre a rookie or a seasoned veteran coming in from another team, Portlands star is known to offer new players his phone number, his home, his guidance, and his friendship.

Jusuf Nurkic was no exception when he came to the Blazers in a mid-season trade in 2017. This wasnt the Nurkic that Portland has come to know and love. The center was struggling after his time in Denver, riddled with the reputation of being discontent, lazy, somewhat of a pouter. Something had to change.

One night in November of 2017, just a few months after Nurkic joined the Blazers, the change came. The stage was a halftime locker room in Sacramento; the Trail Blazers were struggling. As the rest of the team hit the court to warm up for the second half, Nurkic sat sullenly on the bench. It didnt take long for Lillard to join him and offer encouragement. Unfortunately, the Blazers still lost that night. The two talked on the plane ride home that night, in conversation that was both critique and compliment. It seemed to do the trick. After scoring only 4 points and struggling against the Kings, Nurkic came out with a strong performance two days later. (source: NBC Sports)

Building genuine, real relationships with his teammates is Lillards approach. The Trail Blazers culture highlights trust and teamwork, largely due to Lillards leadership and encouragement.

Back in 2016, Lillard told Kevin Arnovitz of ESPN, When they think about leadership, most people think you just follow one person. But you build a tribe. You give people something to believe in. You give them hope. They dont become a follower. They join your tribe. Its more important to believe in what were working toward as a tribe than it is getting them to follow what I want them to follow. Our purpose becomes the same. To this day, Lillard practices what he preaches in a big way.

The relationship between Lillard and Nurkic has deepened and intensified over the last few years. From that relationshipcentered around Lillards ability to build bonds that allow him to speak frankly and honestly with his teammatesNurkic has gone from an afterthought to a crucial part of Portlands starting line up.

The relationship remains on full display. In 2017, Nurkic told Jason Quick of NBC Sports, I definitely feel it. I definitely feel it. Ive never had somebody like this, somebody like Dame,. He is there for me, no matter if Im good or bad. He is an amazing person, and he will make me better.

Nurkics difficult years in Denver are easily forgotten now that hes excelling in Portland. In his 3.5 years with the Blazers, Nurkic has played an average of 28 minutes per game, compared to the 17 minutes per game he was averaging in Denver. Before coming to the Blazers, Nurkic averaged 7.7 points a game. In Portland, hes averaged 15.7, twice as much. 5.8 rebounds in Denver have morphed to a full 10 sin Portland. Nurkic has become a much more valuable player since landing with the Trail Blazers.

In the process, Nurk Fever has taken over the Moda Center. The Bosnian Beast has become a fan favorite in Portland. His constant sense of humor and love for his teammates coupled with his dominating play have made him popular among the fans. This transformation in production and personality wasnt about his personal qualities alone. Portlands culture helped him transition from the player he was to the player he was meant to be.

Lillard seems to make everyone around him better. His teammates, both past and present, have nothing but praise for him and his leadership. Portland has fielded plenty of big talent in their history, but Lillard stands apart...largely due to his ability to build a culture of trust and teamwork. Not only is he a star himself, he makes everyone around him better versions of themselves.

Michael Jordan once said Talent wins games, but teamwork and intelligence win championships. Raw skill and pure talent are inarguable components to a winning team. Superstars are the driving force in bringing a team a championship. But once that talent threshold has been reached, small differences pay big dividends. Ultimately chemistry, relationships and trust amongst teammates are also important in the race for a ring. Lillard and Nurkic wouldnt be the first teammates to make a solid case that chemistry, trust, and teamwork can take a playeror a franchisefrom good to great, but they are my favorite example. Winning is always an incredible feeling, and for any team and their subsequent fan base, thats the ultimate goal. But watching a team come together like the Trail Blazers do both on the court and off the court is absolute magic.

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Damian Lillard and Jusuf Nurkic are proof that chemistry matters - Blazer's Edge

Team chemistry is the key to Ansons fast start – KTAB – BigCountryHomepage.com

The Anson Tigers are one of the handful of undefeated teams in the Big Country this year.

The Tigers lost star quarterback Drew Hagler to graduation heading into the 2020 season, and they are a little beat up right now.

No worries, though. Head coach Chris Haglers team is battling.

The offense is on another level.

The Tigers are averaging 39 points each game.

So, why the success?

Look off the field for the answers.

Hagler said, I tell you what, team chemistry, all the kids have been working hard together and they just seem a little more relaxed as weve gotten going. Its nice to get three wins under your belt. They werent pretty at all times but we somehow found a way to win. Weve taken care of the football, we havent turned it over too many times. Theres been a couple mistakes but nothing that we cant correct.

Dylyn Pyle said, The team chemistry, the bond with all of the guys, and the connections has just been great and I think thats what really helped us if anything. Its the next man up, you always stay with them. Family is family, were all brothers here.

It doesnt get easier this week.

The Tigers travel to Hamlin to face the top-ranked Pied Pipers on Friday night.

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Team chemistry is the key to Ansons fast start - KTAB - BigCountryHomepage.com

Specialty chemical markets in the US improve in August, ACC says – ChemEngOnline

By Scott Jenkins | September 17, 2020

The American Chemistry Council (ACC; Washington, D.C.; http://www.americanchemistry.com) reported that with the recovery in the U.S. economy slowing, U.S. specialty chemicals market volumes rose by 0.5 percent in August, off from an upwardly-revised 2.2 percent gain in July, a 5.0 percent gain in June, a 0.3 percent gain in May, and the record 12.7 percent decline in April. Of the 28 specialty chemical segments that ACC monitors, 27 expanded in August, an improvement from the expansion in 26 markets in July and the decline across all markets in April. On a sequential basis, diffusion was 96 percent in August, an improvement from 93 percent in July. It was 0 percent in April. Of the 25 segments that showed growth in August, 15 featured gains of 1.0 percent or more, ACC said.

During August, overall specialty chemicals volumes were off by 9.3 percent on a year-over-year (Y/Y) basis. Volumes stood at 101.9 percent of their average 2012 levels in August. This is equivalent to 6.94 billion pounds (3.15 million metric tons). On a Y/Y basis, there were gains in only three market and functional specialty chemical segments: Cosmetic additives, electronic chemicals, and flavors and fragrances. On a year-earlier basis, diffusion was 11 percent in August, equal to July and June, but much worse than at the start of the year.

Specialty chemicals are materials manufactured on the basis of the unique performance or function and provide a wide variety of effects on which many other sectors and end-use products rely. They can be individual molecules or mixtures of molecules, known as formulations. The physical and chemical characteristics of the single molecule or mixtures along with the composition of the mixtures influence the performance end product. Individual market sectors that rely on such products include automobile, aerospace, agriculture, cosmetics and food, among others.

Specialty chemicals differ from commodity chemicals. Specialties may only have one or two uses, whereas commodities may have multiple or different applications for each chemical. Commodity chemicals comprise most of the production volume in the global marketplace, while specialty chemicals make up most of the diversity in commerce at any given time and are relatively high value, with greater market growth rates.

This data set is the only timely source of market trends for 28 market and functional specialty chemical segments. Chemistry directly touches over 96 percent of all manufactured goods, and trends in these specialty chemical segments provide a detailed view of trends in manufacturing. The data also shed light on how various consumer end-use markets are performing compared to others in the marketplace.

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Specialty chemical markets in the US improve in August, ACC says - ChemEngOnline

Vaccines often degrade in the heat: here’s how our new chemical ‘casing’ could save lives – The Conversation UK

Amid unpredictable outbreaks, and fears of a second wave, the hunt is on for a vaccine against COVID-19. The reason for this is simple: vaccines work. They save lives and economies.

For example, there were 11.6 million smallpox cases reported between 1920 and 1978, and an estimated 300 million deaths from the disease. But in 1979, the World Health Organization declared smallpox completely eradicated, thanks to rigorous vaccination programs across the world.

One important element of this success is that the smallpox vaccine is a heat-stable vaccine. This means it can be stored and transported without the need for refrigeration, making it widely accessible and transportable across the world.

Unfortunately, thermal stability is not a property of most vaccines, including the ones used against diphtheria, tetanus and pertussis (DTP), and measles, mumps and rubella (MMR). But our new research has taken an important step in preserving such medicines without the need for expensive (and sometimes unreliable) refrigeration.

Normally, vaccines that are not heat-stable and which arent properly refrigerated spoil over a short period of time, because they contain biological matter that degrades when not stored between 2C and 8C. As a result, the majority of vaccines rely on refrigerated or cold chain distribution, which consists of several stages.

To begin with, vaccines are made by a manufacturer that stores them in a controlled refrigerated environment. Then, to ensure that the vaccine remains active until it reaches the patient, all modes of transport and storage (the chain) have to be cooled. This means everything from lorries and aeroplanes to warehouses.

There are several things that can and do go wrong during this process, which requires a high level of consistency and maintenance. Some studies have shown that up to 50% of the vaccines distributed in lower income countries are wasted.

Even in wealthy regions of the globe, vaccines can degrade due to poor equipment or handling, leading to very expensive wastage. There is urgent demand for new technologies that can prevent this.

Our research has developed a novel method, known as ensilication, using the natural compound silica (SiO), the main constituent of sand. Silica is cheap, abundant and easy to use, and we use a soluble form to encase the vaccine components at a molecular level. This is like creating a tiny individual cage for each virus or protein that mimics its form, and prevents the proteins from unfolding a term used to describe what happens when a protein loses its shape.

When a protein unfolds, it loses its function and degrades, making it unusable as a vaccine. This is much like how a well made paper aeroplane will only glide through the air when the paper is properly folded in a specific shape. As soon as the folding is undone, it flies no more.

For proteins, heating and cooling is what can alter their shape. Our method helps to prevent the vaccine components, the proteins, from degrading due to temperatures that are either too high or too low.

For our work, silica is grown using a chemical reaction in solution as a branched network (known as a polymer) to match the structure of vaccine proteins at the nanoscale. These encased proteins are then collected as a dry powder that can be stored safely and reconstituted prior to use.

Our recently published work shows the ability of our method to preserve a tetanus protein fragment used in the diphtheria, tetanus and pertussis (DTP) vaccine. The vaccine works by mimicking a natural infection that subsequently provides long-lasting immunity.

To demonstrate that our method preserved this protein, it was stress tested by heating it to 80C. We then removed the silica, and tested the protein for immunity response compared to a control non-ensilicated protein that had been stored in the fridge.

There was no difference found between the control and our sample, indicating that our method could preserve the protein without the need for refrigeration a huge win. Additional controls in our experimental design confirmed our success.

The hope and the focus of our continuing research is that our method will enable widespread non-refrigerated vaccine distribution. This will help those in remote destinations to be vaccinated. It would also allow for long-term storage of vaccines and stockpiles to be created, which would help to prepare against rapid outbreaks of new diseases.

Vaccines make a huge difference in global health and save millions of lives. But to ensure everyone gets protected, we need heat-stable vaccines. Several technologies, including ours, are aiming to address this issue. Once there is a COVID-19 vaccine, distribution will be paramount.

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Vaccines often degrade in the heat: here's how our new chemical 'casing' could save lives - The Conversation UK

How can the chemical industry maximize the benefit of COVID-19 stimulus funds? – World Economic Forum

Aside from being the worst health and humanitarian crisis for decades, COVID-19 has caused a drop of almost $7 trillion in global GDP this year.

In response, governments around the world have committed more than $15 trillion in COVID-19 stimulus packages. Is there a role to be played by the chemicals and materials industry in maximizing the positive impact of these interventions? We think so.

Through collaboration with policy-makers and other stakeholders, this sector's leaders can not only offer solutions that meet new consumer demand for sustainable products, but which can also play a proactive role in bringing innovation into value chains to 'build back better' and help the sector move towards a more renewable, circular and resilient future.

The chemical industry converts raw materials into more than 70,000 different products. These products have a broad range of uses in the food, healthcare, building and construction, consumer goods, agriculture and transportation industries. Common chemical sector products include surfactants, pigments, synthetic rubber, polymers, fertilizers and materials for batteries, to name but a few.

Since 2018, chemical output growth has slowed or contracted in key manufacturing countries. Both Europe and North America have reported reduced chemical activity for 2019, mainly as a result of the global economic slowdown and trade tensions. Now COVID-19 has forced its customers industries to shut down entire plants which is expected to reduce global chemical GDP by around 11% in 2020, according to Accenture research. Recovery for the chemicals and materials industry hinges on the recovery of its core customers such as the automotive, building and construction, and consumer goods sectors but their path to recovery is uncertain, and is likely to remain so for the next two or three years.

In addition, demand patterns will become increasingly more dynamic as some of the COVID-19-induced consumer behaviours become the new reality post-crisis. The pandemic has triggered a change in how people live, buy and think. For example, demand for sustainable products had already been growing for a while, but new research shows that after the pandemic 79% of consumers said they will seek out products that are healthier and better for the environment, and that they are willing to pay a premium for them.

There is also greater health consciousness among consumers and an increased desire for convenience and comfort, as evidenced by the growth of online shopping. These changes in consumer behaviour will play out for manufacturers of personal care, packaging, lubricants or nutrition products in different ways. Small pockets of the industry may benefit such as those that produce chemicals included in sanitation products or certain plastics used in packaging and PPE but other areas will be negatively impacted.

Governments are taking drastic measures to close the GDP gap with stimulus packages worth up to $15 trillion three times what was spent (as a percentage of GDP) following the 2008 financial crisis. This makes governments around the globe the most powerful consumption engines in their economies.

As the chemical industry lies at the heart of several value chains and acts as a solution provider to other sectors of the economy, it plays a pivotal role in leading a sustainable recovery. Today, chemical innovations already contribute to several sustainable development challenges such as energy and climate, transport, health and food, among others.

The chemicals and materials sector can leverage both direct and indirect stimulus programmes, and can strengthen their broader impact to provide shared value across business and society. Here's how:

Image: Accenture

Below are some examples of how direct and indirect stimulus packages have impacted the chemicals and materials sector.

Strengthening the recovery through stimulus measures relies on how and how fast resources are allocated. Here are three actions chemical sector leaders can take:

1. Build infrastructure to support more resilient and more sustainable socioeconomic systems. With 83% of consumers saying its important for companies to design products that can be reused, recycled and never go to a landfill, the chemical industry needs to tackle the huge infrastructure investment that is the foundation of its transformation towards greater sustainability. For example, the transition to a circular economy requires investment to encourage greater transparency in waste streams (circular track and trace), establish end-of-life collection systems for further material classes, develop chemical recycling processes, and build the necessary physical assets. This can only be achieved by collaborating in regional clusters, which represent ideal opportunities for stimulus support.

2. Leverage stimulus packages to innovate and support broader sustainability goals. The chemicals industry has an opportunity to engage with policy-makers and demonstrate their essential contribution to realize ambitious policy goals. As an example, industry innovators may further support the transition to cleaner mobility. The industry already provides a range of solutions that make transport more energy efficient. The future of mobility, with fleets of autonomous and/or electric vehicles, may require a new spectrum of materials and chemicals to make everything from batteries to simplified powertrains and customizable interiors. The contribution of the sector to the development of advanced biofuels, green hydrogen, sustainable battery materials or recycling technologies will be crucial to enabling this transition.

3.Stimulate a new wave of innovation through a collaborative ecosystem. By engaging with value chain partners, governments and start-ups, the chemical industry can build an ecosystem that drives the next wave of innovation. To make this happen, chemical leaders can partner with start-ups to tap into new sources of (digital) innovation. For example, in the recycling space alone, there are hundreds of relevant start-ups across the world that are working with new technologies but these cannot scale without additional funding.The time is ripe for a new wave of corporate and public venturing to accelerate the process of bringing these technologies to the market.

The chemical industry has navigated crises before through diligent fixed-cost restructuring, level-headed portfolio management, and applying a 'lean lens' to its processes. Now there is an opportunity to show how people and planet are the real drivers for business. By capitalizing on cross-sector innovation and collaboration, the chemical industry can not only build back better, but also secure its role in the post-COVID era with its improved products, services and technologies.

This blog was written with contributions from Simonetta Rima (World Economic Forum), Simone Paes (Accenture), David Apel (Accenture) and Bernd Elser (Accenture).

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How can the chemical industry maximize the benefit of COVID-19 stimulus funds? - World Economic Forum

Miami Heat: Strong team chemistry is the key to continued success – Hoops Habit

If youve ever ordered a dirty Chai oat milk latte, you know the pain of paying too much for a dose of caffeine. And yet, your drink of choice still probably doesnt come close to the $20 Cup of Joe that Miami Heat star Jimmy Butler is offering up in the NBA playoffs.

Yes, you read that right Butler started his very own side gig in the NBA bubble, taking full advantage of the fact that its seemingly slim pickings in the coffee department out there in Orlando.

And while Big Face Coffee might seem inconsequential to Miamis quest for a title, its anything but.

The Heat are currently 6-0 in postseason play, most recently earning a Game 2 win over the Milwaukee Bucks on Wednesday night. They also previously dominated the Indiana Pacers in the Eastern Conference Quarterfinals, despite T.J. Warrens best attempts to get under Butlers skin.

Now its true that the 2019-20 roster is loaded with raw talent.

Butler, since arriving in South Florida, has blossomed into a bonafide superstar. Bam Adebayo arguably should have been a viable Most Improved Player of the Year recipient. Goran Dragic, an already elite point guard at every phase of his career, has taken his game to a whole new level. Tyler Herro is undoubtedly one of the leagues top rookies. Duncan Robinson has continued to break several franchise records with his sharp-shooting.

You get the picture.

But what has brought this team success as a unit, is strong chemistry, both on and off the court.

Me and Jimmy, we have great chemistry, Dragic said of Butler. As a team, we have great chemistry.One of our emphases before the playoffs was enjoy the game. Enjoy it. Have that smile on your face. Thats what I love to do.

Dragics work hard, play hard mentality is certainly shared by his teammates, who have visibly grown even closer since the NBA Restart. Between bench celebrations and Instagram shoutouts, its clear Miami is the definition of a ride or die squad, havingforged a true brotherhood that in turn, translates into untouchable chemistry on the floor.

Because these guys respect each other so much as human beings first and foremost, theyre able to put full trust in one another when it comes to in-game decisions.

Take Jae Crowder for example, who only joined the Heat in a February trade.

Although he certainly still isnt the teams primary choice when it comes to three-point shooting, Miami has allowed him to grow in that role because of the trust theyve formed as a group.

Jae is a competitor, a warrior, Dragic explained. Hes accepting every challenge Hes shooting the ball really well. We want to find him in the offense.

Butler and Crowder have obviously formed a bond on their own too.

(Bet you didnt think Id circle back to Big Face Coffee, did you?)

Miamis unparalleled chemistry has led to unshakeable confidence in guys to create successful plays, move the ball seamlessly and make tough shots. The entirety of the group having each others backs is what made them so vigilant against Indiana and so fearless against the Milwaukee Bucks. They are truly playing team ball, game after game, consistently propping one another up and leaving all egos at the door.

NBA playoffs and beyond, youll be hard-pressed to find a more cohesive (and caffeinated) team, than the Miami Heat.

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Miami Heat: Strong team chemistry is the key to continued success - Hoops Habit

Chemistry has Fyffe clicking at the right time – Sand Mountain Reporter

For a team that returned six seniors off of last seasons team that went 32-3 and won multiple post-season games, you might not consider chemistry to be one of the biggest issues facing the Fyffe Red Devils.

But that chemistry and on-court connection is something head coach Neal Thrash and the team struggled with early on, something that tends to happen when a large chunk of your roster is making annual runs to the state finals in football, which results in players having to miss the first month of the basketball season, and in some cases, more.

Were starting to come together as far as chemistry goes, Thrash said. We went deep into the football playoffs, and then one of our starters played in the Mississippi-Alabama All-Star Game, so he didnt started until late December. So were just now coming together, as a group and getting the right chemistry for our group of kids, and thats one thing that heled us out in the DeKalb County Tournament.

Since getting the full team back together in late December, the Red Devils have taken off, losing just once in that span, a narrow two-point loss to 6A Scottsboro, while picking up the DeKalb County Tournament last weekend thanks to narrow wins over 3A No. 10 Geraldine in the semifinals Friday, then their second-straight win over 3A No. 4 Plainview in the finals.

That finals win, along with a rout of visiting Susan Moore on Senior Night on Monday, pushed the Red Devils to 17-4, and became the first team in Fyffe history to win back-to-back DeKalb County titles.

The other thing is just their competitive nature, Thrash said of this seasons group and their surge of late. They really wanted to excel and do well in that tournament. Fyffe had never won back-to-back titles in the 85 years of the tournament, so they wanted to go and make a little history for themselves. So winning it back-to-back was special for them, and for me. Its a special group.

With six seniors, Brody Dalton, Parker Godwin, Tate Goolesby, Micah Johnson, Matthew McCollum, and Xavier Works, some of whom have been starting since ninth grade, along with a tough schedule the rest of the way, theres not a lot this Fyffe team hasnt seen as they get ready for what should be a difficult post-season.

According to coach Thrash, of the teams final six games, four of them are against teams that are ranked, and then there are potentially looming showdowns in the postseason, with Plainview in their area this year, and that same Geraldine team possibly waiting in the sub-regional round. Those upcoming games against ranked teams includes games against 2A ranked teams Sand Rock and North Sand Mountain, with North Sand Mountain knocking off the Red Devils back in mid-December, and a pair of games against Pisgah, also ranked in the most recent 2A rankings.

Plainview is a rival for us, Thrash said. Theyre only five miles away, were both in the same area this year, so were going to have more competitive games with them. We were a little bit fortunate to get to play those two on Friday and Saturday, and fortunate to pull out those Ws.

But if there is one advantage for Fyffe over Plainview, and possibly Geraldine as they head towards the postseason: The Red Devils got a little bit of luck to ensure they will host their area tournament, which will also feature Asbury and Sylvania. After Fyffe and Plainview split during their area games (the DeKalb County Tournament is not considered an area game), the Devils won the coin toss for the right to host the four-team event. And with an extra round of regionals this year that will use football seeding, Fyffe could be in position to possibly host Geraldine should both teams advance that far.

The last few years weve actually played pretty well up there, Thrash said of playing in the DeKalb County Schools Coliseium. So, had we lost wed have been comfortable up there, but we like to be able to play those tournaments in our gym and hopefully it works out to our advantage, you just never know.

As for where the team can get better, theres not one specific area the team is focusing on according to Thrash, but rather, continuing to preach the things that have gotten them to this point, so that when the postseason comes, theyll be prepared.

Theres a lot we can do, Thrash said. We have to get better in every facet of the game, and really just keep practicing those fundamentals every day.

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Chemistry has Fyffe clicking at the right time - Sand Mountain Reporter

Aluminiumnitrogen batteries offer alternative ammonia synthesis | Research – Chemistry World

A newly developed battery based on aluminium, nitrogen and a specialised ionic liquid electrolyte can be used for energy storage via a net reaction that produces aluminium nitride by breaking the challenging nitrogennitrogen triple bond. Aluminium nitride can be converted to ammonia, opening a new avenue for coupling energy generation and the production of nitrogen-containing compounds, without relying on industrial routes that contribute to global warming.

Batteries based on gases can simultaneously store and release energy while also converting gaseous components to new compounds. These compounds may act as precursors to industrially relevant chemicals. For example, Li-CO2 batteries work by exploiting the electrochemical reduction of carbon dioxide to form a lithium carbonate. This carbonate can react further to create a range of different chemicals.

However, lithium is a somewhat costly metal that is also to difficult to handle. To overcome this limitation, a battery developed by the team of Chunyi Zhi at the City University of Hong Kong instead targets aluminium and nitrogen. This avoids the need for an expensive alkali metal anode and by incorporating nitrogen as the gaseous component, it provides a new route to ammonia that avoids the HaberBosch process.

Focusing on low-cost and naturally abundant aluminium as the metal anode allowed Zhi and co-workers to better engineer the underlying electrochemical reaction. This was achieved using an aluminium-based ionic liquid electrolyte instead of the ether-based electrolytes found in competing Li-N2 batteries. The crucial point of the AlCl/1-butyl-3-methylimidazolium chloride electrolyte is its Lewis acidity, which enables the electroplating or stripping of aluminium on the anode because this process can only take place in acidic conditions, explains Zhi.

Using aluminium metal alongside this specific ionic liquid electrolyte allowed for a net reaction during battery discharge that involves reacting aluminium with nitrogen to afford aluminium nitride, a process that has a greater thermodynamic driving force than the production of Li3N in LiN2 batteries. The resulting aluminium nitride, which forms at the cathode during battery operation, may then be reacted with sodium hydroxide, readily forming ammonia.

This is an interesting and more environmentally friendly alternative to the HaberBosch process to produce ammonia. Moreover, replacing lithium with aluminium in metalnitrogen batteries would potentially reduce costs and increase the energy density of the battery, says Adriana Navarro-Surez who researches electrochemical energy storage at Imperial College London, UK.

However, Navarro-Surez notes an issue with the cathode and associated electrocatalyst within the battery. Currently, the cathode of the aluminiumnitrogen battery is based on graphene and palladium, the latter of which is a precious and costly metal. Yi-Chun Li, a battery specialist at the Chinese University of Hong Kong, also highlights this issue and while she notes that a battery which successfully harnesses nitrogen to produce aluminium nitride is impressive, future work on replacing precious metal catalysts with other low-cost catalysts is important for large scale practical applications.

Zhi and his team are actively considering this imposition to scale-up and widespread commercialisation. They intend to design special electrocatalysts based on other metals or metal oxides. They are also considering carbon-free catalysts and more stable electrolytes that would boost the energy conversion efficiency of the aluminiumnitrogen battery by avoiding parasitic reactions.

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Aluminiumnitrogen batteries offer alternative ammonia synthesis | Research - Chemistry World

Wheres the chemistry? – The Indian Express

By: Editorial | Updated: November 5, 2020 7:51:04 amMaybe the machines have already taken over and no one really got wind of it.

Kuki has been on one of the longest first dates ever. Since October 24, she has been chatting 24/7 with a chap that looks like a muscly version of Mark Zuckerberg, sports a cap which says Make Facebook great again, says he likes Hitler and has killed people. Kukis date is Blenderbot, an AI-powered chatbot built by Facebook, as is Kuki (the creation of an individual out of the UK). Their tryst is part of a competition to see which bot can pass off more easily as a human.

The experiment/contest is meant to see if bots can simulate the most human of interactions a romantic encounter. But, as with many a real date, it has been boring, horrifying (Blenderbot, after casually admitting to murder, asked if Kuki has killed people too) and seemingly interminable. Given that ever-greater numbers of people have been turning to AI-powered online companions in recent years, the prospect of a digital being harbouring a love for Hitler while having the same hobbies you do opens up a can of worms about the nature of love and human society in the tech age that challenges the limits of science fiction, let alone ethics.

Maybe the machines have already taken over and no one really got wind of it. The bot Vera works in HR and can interview as many as 1,500 candidates per day, including for Ikea Russia. IBMs bot assistant (Watson) works for some of the largest companies in the world. And producers of pornographic content have long been moving into more interactive, AI and robotic products. On the flip side, human beings are becoming more and more cyborg-like, outsourcing memory, reason and even emotion to machines. And if Kukis terrible date is anything to go by, machines can be pretty horrible people too.

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Wheres the chemistry? - The Indian Express

Nick Saban credits the chemistry of this Alabama team for its focus – Touchdown Alabama Magazine

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He has had a lot of talented teams, but Nick Sabans championship teams at Alabama had two things in common: a strong chemistry and the ability to fight through adversity.

This years group possesses both qualities and its undefeated through six games.

The conversation of those outside the program did not believe in Mac Jones as a starter in the preseason, but the team was already brought into Jones before fall camp. His brothers knew what he was capable of and now, the junior is the leader in the Heisman race and NFL Draft experts talking about him. As proud as the team is of Jones, it was saddened by the injury to Jaylen Waddle against Tennessee. Everyone played a role in texting him, calling him, smoking a cigar with him and keeping his spirit up, as he supplies the energy in the locker room.

The same can be said of the incident with running back, Trey Sanders.

He finally put the foot injury from 2019 behind him with a strong outing versus Mississippi State.

Unfortunately, he was involved in a car accident during Alabamas bye week. Sanders did not sustain any life-threatening injuries, but he still had to undergo surgery. Because of this, Saban said he would be out indefinitely and it hurt the freshman and his teammates. Ever resilient, Sanders returned to the team last week and the players had a dance party on video.

Whether it was 2009, 2011, 2012, 2015 or 2017, Saban had a group that was selfless and he loved it.

On Monday, he spoke to reporters on why he loves coaching this team.

I think that is what you always strive for, in terms of team togetherness and guys staying together as a group, Saban said on the importance of team chemistry. You can always accomplish more when you have togetherness on your team. Everyone puts the team first. This group has been that way for the most part. I think that has helped them stay focused as well, because they have goals and aspirations for what they want to accomplish. They do it together, they hold each other accountable, and thats really a positive thing for us.

DJ Dale, a sophomore at defensive tackle, said the fun in the locker room is an every day thing.

We have come a long way and we have had a lot of uncertainty, Dale said on Monday. In the summer, we did not know if we were going to have a season or not. We have been around each other and everyone bonded and clicked in, so that just makes it fun. This is a really fun group and I enjoy being around all the guys. Just like the video, its like that all the time.

With the challenges that COVID-19 has brought, the players have physically and mentally stood together.

As it continues to push toward a Southeastern Conference title and a national championship, Alabama will look to laugh and dance its way to its 18th national title in program history.

*Get the BEST Alabama football insider information, message board access, and recruiting coverage today!SIGN UP HEREto unlock oursubscriberonly content!*

Stephen M. Smith is the managing editor and seniorwriter forTouchdown Alabama Magazine. Youcan like him onFacebookor follow him on Twitter, via@CoachingMSmith.

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Nick Saban credits the chemistry of this Alabama team for its focus - Touchdown Alabama Magazine

Department of Chemistry and Chemical Biology

Located on the Busch Campus of Rutgers University in Piscataway, New Jersey, our department is home to world-class research programs that impact society in areas as diverse as health, energy, and the environment.

Our leading graduate and undergraduate programs provide exceptional training to research scientists and prepare our graduates to become leaders in industry, academia, and government. With state-of-the-art research facilities and internationally-recognized faculty, we have the tools and people needed to develop and explore groundbreaking ideas across the many fields touched by chemistry.

In addition to educational opportunities, our department is uniquely positioned as both large and small chemical companies are based in New Jersey. Chemistry exports account for over a quarter of the value of the state's yearly exports.

In September 2018, we opened our new signature building. It includes open, flexible labs and state-of-the-art core facilities as well as modern teaching, conferencing, and communal spaces that maximize collaborative interactions. This building enhances our high-quality science andtraining and continues to strengthen our broad interdisciplinary academic and research programs, further impacting our region's economy and society.

CURRENT OPERATING STATUS: Face coverings must be worn by all persons on campuswhether outdoors when social distancing is not practical or indoors in non-private enclosed settings (e.g., common spaces, bathrooms).

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Department of Chemistry and Chemical Biology

New carbon allotrope predicted to hit bandgap sweet spot – Chemistry World

Computational scientists in China have simulated a graphene allotrope featuring different hybridisations of carbon that becomes a semiconductor when compressed.

This new allotrope, Me-graphene, combines sp3-hybridised carbon atoms anchored to four neighbouring benzene rings with sp2-hybridised carbon atoms. The result is a one-atom thick structure containing octagons, hexagons and pentagons, which is open and slightly corrugated. The structure could give scientists a way to bridge differences between the characteristics of traditional graphene (an electronically conductive semi-metal) and the so-far theoretical semiconductor penta-graphene.

Despite having exceptional strength, thermal and electron conductivity, traditional graphenes use in electronic components (rather than just connections) is limited, as it cant easily switch between conducting and insulating states. This is because it lacks a bandgap.

Xiaojun Wu of the University of Science and Technology of China and colleagues have discovered that Me-graphene could be structurally stable up to temperatures of 3500K. Added to this, it has higher mobility of charge at room temperature than silicon and when compressed it turns into a semiconductor with a large bandgap but does not deform. And, with a calculated energy of formation that is more achievable than other graphene allotropes, Wus team suggest Me-graphenes characteristics could see it feature in next-generation nanoscale electronics and photoelectrics.

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New carbon allotrope predicted to hit bandgap sweet spot - Chemistry World

A Chemist Running on I Believe in Science Wants to Take Down a Trump-Loving Republican on Long Island – Gizmodo

Democratic House candidate Nancy Goroff in the lab.Photo: Goroff for Congress

That I believe in science and I believe in using facts and evidence to solve problems are rallying cries for a political campaign says a lot about 2020. Yet thats the pitch of Nancy Goroff, a chemist at Stony Brook University who is the Democratic nominee taking on Rep. Lee Zeldin in a Long Island district.

That appeal to science-based decision-making speaks to the hellscape of modern America that Republicans have created. The Trump administration is the culmination of those efforts, having spent nearly four years sidelining science to disastrous consequences. That includes the acute crisis of a pandemic that has left the U.S. with the highest death toll in the world and one of the highest per capita death rates of any developing country. Hell, the president came down with it after holding a superspreader event. Then theres the long-simmering deregulatory campaign to fry the climate, exemplified in this weeks vice presidential debate when Mike Pence blithely lying that the Trump administration will continue to listen to the science despite all evidence to the contrary.

From denying the threat of climate change to politicizing basic public health measures, the GOP is establishing itself as not only the party untethered to facts but a danger to the health and safety of Americans, Shaughnessy Naughton, the president of 314 Action, a PAC backing Goroff and other scientists running for office, said in an emailed statement.

While the presidential race will be the biggest referendum on the role of science in policy, the down-ballot races will each be a microcosm of that fight. And the race between Goroff and Zeldin to represent New Yorks First Congressional District shines a particularly bright light on the stark differences between the parties. Goroff has been active at the science and policy nexus, serving on the advisory board of the Union of Concerned Scientists, a watchdog for science abuses in policymaking thats been particularly busy in the Trump era. Zeldin has helped create the environment for those abuses.

I decided that this is a moment in history where I need to really step forward and put my full effort into this, Goroff said on a video call. It wasnt enough just to support candidates I cared about and support issues I cared about. I just needed to work full time on it.

G/O Media may get a commission

While Goroff hasnt endorsed the Green New Deal, her platform aligns pretty good with, well, science. If she wins, it points to what could be real areas of debate in a House Democratic caucus that includes Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez and a growing number of progressives. But honestly, itd be a welcome change compared to what Zeldin and the Republican party have put forward.

Goroff left her position at Stony Brook, where her lab is focused on organic chemistry, to compete in the Democratic primary. She won that tightly contested contest, which included real estate investor who took on Zeldin in 2018 and lost. Now, Goroff will face the congressman who has held the seat since 2014.

The district flipped from Obama to Trump in 2016, and Zeldin carried it by 16.4% that year, a margin larger than Trumps victory in the county. In 2018, the gap narrowed considerably, with Zeldin winning by 4.1% in what was a blue wave that saw the House flip to Democrats. Now, Goroff is fighting to flip whats considered a lean Republican seat by the Cook Political Report, giving Democrats an even larger majority in the House. Shes garnered the endorsement of former President Barack Obama, which could help her cause.

Zeldin has opened that door for her simple pitch to trust the science to be effective. He jumped on the hydroxychloroquine-as-coronavirus-cure bandwagon in July, weeks after the FDA pulled its emergency use authorization and the World Health Organization ended its trial usage because it hadnt proven to be effective. And despite being a member of the Climate Solutions Caucus, a bipartisan groups of representatives thats done about bupkis to advance climate legislation, he has a lifetime score of 13% from the League of Conservation Voters. Among his greatest hits are voting against a carbon tax, the barest minimum of climate solutions, and for an amendment to block the government from considering the impacts of climate change in agency rulemaking.

Its not just the contrast with Zeldin that could make Goroffs message of science-based leadership appealing on Long Island. The district is also home to Brookhaven National Laboratory and Stony Brook, two major scientific institutions, and is ground zero for climate change with miles of coastline still bearing the scars of Hurricane Sandy. The district needs real climate solutions to deal with rising seas, and the research institutions there could very well play a role in delivering at least some of them. Groups supporting science-based decision-making have lined up with Goroff, including 314 Action, a PAC that works to get scientists elected. The group has put more than $2 million into running TV and digital ads supporting Goroff and has made climate change a central part of its pitch for why Congress needs her.

I really see my role as a scientist in Congress, that what I would want to be is a resource for every member of Congress to make sure that Democrats and Republicans have access to the best information available, she said.

In comparison to Zeldin, Goroff has called for the U.S. to reach carbon neutrality by 2035, a target more aggressive than that of former Vice President Joe Biden. She also said shes supportive of market mechanisms to lower carbon emissions, such as cap-and-trade programs that allow companies to sell and buy a shrinking number of pollution permits as a way to reduce emissions.

I do think we need to put in some kinds of incentives to let the markets do their magic when people have financial incentives to move quickly, she said, noting vehicles as one area where incentivizing the development of electric vehicles over gas guzzlers could be a good place to start.

Yet market-based approaches to climate change have increasingly fallen out of favor with the progressive wing of the Democratic party. The Green New Deal, for example, makes no mention of it, and presidential climate plans largely set aside any calls for a carbon market of some sort. That Goroff supports it shows a potential area where the Democratic caucus could tussle over climate policy in a new Congress. But honestly, if Democrats take the White House, Senate, and the House, having a substantive debate over the role of markets in the adoption of electric vehicles would be a breath of fresh air after the decades of Republican pollution.

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A Chemist Running on I Believe in Science Wants to Take Down a Trump-Loving Republican on Long Island - Gizmodo

Global Oilfield Stimulation Chemical Market to 2024: Focus on Friction Reducer, Acids and Biocides, Corrosion Inhibitors, Gelling Agent, Iron Control…

DUBLIN--(BUSINESS WIRE)--The "Oilfield Stimulation Chemical Market 2019-2024: Trends, Forecast, and Opportunity Analysis" report has been added to ResearchAndMarkets.com's offering.

The global oilfield stimulation chemical market is expected to grow with a CAGR of 10% from 2019 to 2024.

The future of the oilfield stimulation chemical market looks promising with opportunities in the hydraulic fracturing, matrix treatments, and acid fracking industries. The major growth drivers for this market are increasing crude oil production and rising deep drilling operations.

Some of the features of 'Global Oilfield Stimulation Chemicals Market 2019-2024: Trends, Forecast, and Opportunity Analysis' include

This report answers the following 11 key questions:

Key Topics Covered:

1. Executive Summary

2. Industry Background and Classifications

2.1: Introduction, Background, and Classification

2.2: Supply Chain

2.3: Industry Drivers and Challenges

3. Market Trends and Forecast Analysis from 2013 to 2024

3.1: Macroeconomic Trends and Forecast

3.2: Global Oilfield Stimulation Chemicals Market: Trends and Forecast

3.3: Global Oilfield Stimulation Chemicals Market by Product Type

3.3.1: Friction Reducer

3.3.2: Acids and biocides

3.3.3: Corrosion Inhibitors

3.3.4: Gelling Agent

3.3.5: Iron Control Agent

3.3.6: Water Control

3.4: Global Oilfield Stimulation Chemicals Market by End Use Industry:

3.4.1: Hydraulic Fracturing

3.4.2: Matrix Treatments

3.4.3: Acid Fracking

4. Market Trends and Forecast Analysis by Region

4.1: Global Oilfield Stimulation Chemicals Market by Region

4.2: North American Oilfield Stimulation Chemicals Market

4.2.1: Market by Product Type: Friction Reducer, Acids and biocides, Corrosion Inhibitors, Gelling Agent, Iron Control Agent, and Water Control

4.2.2: Market by End Use Industry: Hydraulic Fracturing, Matrix Treatments, and Acid Fracking

4.2.3: Market by Country: US, Canada, and Mexico

4.3: European Oilfield Stimulation Chemicals Market

4.3.1: Market by Product Type: Friction Reducer, Acids and biocides, Corrosion Inhibitors, Gelling Agent, Iron Control Agent, and Water Control

4.3.2: Market by End Use Industry: Hydraulic Fracturing, Matrix Treatments, and Acid Fracking

4.3.3: Market by Country: Germany, France, U.K., Spain, and Russia

4.4: APAC Oilfield Stimulation Chemicals Market

4.4.1: Market by Product Type: Friction Reducer, Acids and biocides, Corrosion Inhibitors, Gelling Agent, Iron Control Agent, and Water Control

4.4.2: Market by End Use Industry: Hydraulic Fracturing, Matrix Treatments, and Acid Fracking

4.4.3: Market by Country: China, India, Japan, South Korea and Thailand

4.5: ROW Oilfield Stimulation Chemicals Market

4.5.1: Market by Product Type: Friction Reducer, Acids and biocides, Corrosion Inhibitors, Gelling Agent, Iron Control Agent, and Water Control

4.5.2: Market by End Use Industry: Hydraulic Fracturing, Matrix Treatments, and Acid Fracking

5. Competitor Analysis

5.1: Product Portfolio Analysis

5.2: Market Share Analysis

5.3: Operational Integration

5.4: Geographical Reach

5.5: Porter's Five Forces Analysis

6. Growth Opportunities and Strategic Analysis

6.1: Growth Opportunity Analysis

6.1.1: Growth Opportunities for Global Oilfield Stimulation Chemicals Market by Product Type

6.1.2: Growth Opportunities for Global Oilfield Stimulation Chemicals Market by End Use Industry

6.1.3: Growth Opportunities for Global Oilfield Stimulation Chemicals Market by Region

6.2: Emerging Trends in Global Oilfield Stimulation Chemicals Market

6.3: Strategic Analysis

6.3.1: New Product Development

6.3.2: Capacity Expansion of Global Oilfield Stimulation Chemicals Market

6.3.3: Mergers, Acquisitions and Joint Ventures in the Global Market

7. Company Profiles of Leading Players

7.1: BASF SE

7.2: Baker Hughes Incorporated

7.3: DOW Chemical Company

7.4: E.I Dupont

7.5: Flotek Industries Inc

7.6: Halliburton

7.7: Schlumberger Limited

7.8: Chevron Phillips Chemical Company

7.9: Clariant AG

7.10: Ashland Inc.

7.11: Akzonobel N.V.

7.12: Albemarle Corp.

7.13: Solvay SA

For more information about this report visit https://www.researchandmarkets.com/r/74elny

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Global Oilfield Stimulation Chemical Market to 2024: Focus on Friction Reducer, Acids and Biocides, Corrosion Inhibitors, Gelling Agent, Iron Control...

Chemistry prof honoured for years of research in electrochemical and solid state science – UCalgary News

Without energy, says Dr. Venkataraman Thangadurai, nothing moves. Energy is everything.

Thangadurai, PhD,chemistry professor in the Faculty of Science, is the only Canadian to be inducted into the 2020 class of Fellows by The Electrochemical Society (ECS), which was founded in 1902 to advance the theory and practice of electrochemical and solid state science and technology.

The Fellows award, established in 1989, honours outstanding individual contributions in these fields. For Thangadurai, this recognition from peers who themselves are experts in their fields is a special honour.

To be a fellow of the ECS is about being involved in advancing next generation environmentally friendly electrochemical technologies.

Electrochemical and solid state science has applications in many fields everything from the materials that make up cell phones, batteries for electric vehicles, converting fuels into electricity, converting carbon dioxide into valuable chemicals, and many more.

Developing new and innovative all-solid-state battery and solid oxide fuel cells technologies are essential, he says. We need lightweight batteries that are capable of providing high storage capacity and use safer and less expensive materials.

Compared to the acid-based batteries used in cars, the next-generation lithium batteries areessential to making substantial improvements in performance and reducing environmental impacts. All solid-state lithium and sodium batteries currently developed in the Thangadurai research group will operate at higher temperatures and rule out the safety concerns of present-day batteries the key to cleaner modes of transportation, but also an impactful way to store energy from renewable sources like wind and solar means to balance the power grid.

The path to becoming an internationally recognized chemist has always been about new challenges for Thangadurai. Growing up in a rural village in India, Thangadurai was encouraged by his family and teachers to strive for excellence. Later, as a masters student in the Muthurangam Government Arts College in Vellore, Tamil Nadu, faculty mentors organized visits to the Indian Institute of Science, Bangalore. And that, Thangadurai says, is when everything changed.

I realized my passion for research. I could see that everything I had learned in the classroom chemical principles, chemical reactions and reaction mechanisms were being further investigated by researchers. It was a moment of clarity that inspired the next stage of his academic career.

At the University of Kiel in Germany, Thangadurai completed a Humboldt fellowship, pushing his fundamental research into the realm of applied materials science. I was able to study without limitations to what I could do or try, he says, and realized the practical applications of the fundamental research I had started in India.

Coming to the University of Calgary in 2005 was a natural next step. Here, we had people working on research of clear, practical value, and in an environment that encouraged entrepreneurial activities. The University of Calgary is a highly energized institution in an energized city it was the best place to continue my work.

With the support of his colleagues and family, Thangadurai flourished.

Im doing the things I love best. Research, teaching, service I love it all.

Earlier this year, Thangadurai joined the second cohort of Parex Resources Innovation Fellows. The program enables researchers to focus on innovation and technology transfer. The fellowship will allow him to continue to push towards commercial solid-state ionic devices, including solid-state batteries and solid oxide fuel cells.

Dr. Thangadurais work is on the leading edge of clean energy innovation, says Dr. Cathy Ryan, PhD, associate dean (research) in the Faculty of Science. The ECS Fellows award is a remarkable accomplishment, and he is a most deserving researcher working in a research area of critical importance.

As for whats next? His recent invitation to join the Creative Destruction Lab gives him new opportunities to promote commercialization activities in energy to encourage innovation and development, even as he forges ahead with groundbreaking research.

Science has no boundaries, says Thangadurai. His advice for students and new researchers is to always think about whats nextand what comes after that. Theres always something more, always room to think. Invention has no end.

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Chemistry prof honoured for years of research in electrochemical and solid state science - UCalgary News

For Penn State, Another Preseason Project: Building Team Chemistry – Sports Illustrated

Penn State coach James Franklin wanted to invite the team's freshmen to his house for dinner, as he has done countless times in the past. Only this time, he was forced to ask the team's training staff trainers for virus-prevention guidelines.

By the time they delivered the list of requirements (boxed food only, distance the players, etc.), Franklin sighed.

"It didn't sound like a whole lot of fun," he said.

As if they didn't have enough concerns about keeping their players healthy and virus-free, college football coaches are finding something else to worry about: How do they rebuild team chemistry in the COVID-19 era?

Penn State restarts training camp Sept. 30 on its way to its Oct. 24 opener at Indiana and has plenty to accomplish. In addition to putting on the pads for the first time in nine months and installing their new offense, the Lions have to conduct some team-building exercises, too.

Sure, Penn State has done that through video calls since March, and the players have been training together since early June. But they haven't hit each other, or anyone else, since the Cotton Bowl. And they really haven't spent much time together as a full team.

That's one reason Franklin called team-building a priority of the next month.

"That's probably the thing I am most concerned about, is the chemistry stuff," Franklin said. "Usually, I'll have guys over to my house a lot. Whether it's in the house watching games and eating, whether it's taking them to [the sports restaurant] Champs or whether it's taking to the bowling alley and just having some fun."

Franklin has made team-building exercises (movies, bowling, etc.) frequent one-day breaks of his August training camps. When players began returning for voluntary workouts, they moved toward chemistry building on their own.

"It's important for us all to be back among each other so we can see each other's faces again," running back Noah Cain said recently. "So when it's time to come back to camp, our faces aren't foreign and we are used to each other's vibe and chemistry."

With preventive measures in place, however, Franklin has to get more creative with his team-building.

"How is it not just football, football, football and school, without some of the fun things that we all do as coaches to build that chemistry that's important?" Franklin asked.

Get the latest Penn State news by joining the community. Click "Follow" at the top right of our AllPennState page. Mobile users click the notification bell. And please follow AllPennState on Twitter @MarkWogenrich.

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For Penn State, Another Preseason Project: Building Team Chemistry - Sports Illustrated

Chemistry department will not pause admissions for Ph.D. students next academic year – The Daily Pennsylvanian

The Chemistry Department, housed in the Roy & Diana Vagelos Laboratories building, will accept Ph.D. applications from Oct. 1 to Dec. 1 for fall 2021.

One day after School of Arts and Sciences Dean Steven J. Fluharty announced that school-funded Ph.D. admissions would be canceled for the 2021-2022 academic year, the Chemistry Department posted on its website that it will continue to accept new Ph.D. students.

While the Chemistry department must endure the same budget cut as the other SAS departments, Chemistry Ph.D. students are typically supported by research grants from government agencies such as National Institute of Health, National Science Foundation, Department of Energy, and pharmaceutical and chemical companies, Roy and Diana Vagelos Professor in Chemistry and Chemical Biology Department Chair David W. Christianson wrote in an email to The Daily Pennsylvanian.

The Chemistry department is, therefore, able to structure the budget cut over a period of years, allowing it to continue accepting students to its Ph.D. program, Christianson wrote. The fall 2021 cohort, however, will be smaller than usual, according to the department website.

"The cuts in our graduate program are a tremendous blow for the U.S. chemistry workforce at a time when discovery and innovation are reaching unprecedented news heights," Christianson wrote. "We can only hope that the SAS financial position will improve soon."

Associate Dean of Graduate Studies Beth S. Wenger confirmed that a few graduate programs, particularly in the natural sciences, will be able to continue to accept a "limited number" of Ph.D. students into its programs thanks to external funds.

Students can submit Ph.D. applications to the Chemistry department from Oct. 1 to Dec. 1 for fall 2021 admission. Graduate Record Examinations, commonly known as GRE, scores are not required for this application cycle, according to the website.

Christianson took to Twitter earlier today to address the confusion surrounding Ph.D. admissions.

To correct erroneous information that is circulating in the Twitterverse: @PennChemistry will be admitting Ph.D. students in the coming year, although our entering class will be a bit smaller, he wrote. Our exciting journey of discovery continues

Fluharty and Wenger wrote in an email to SAS standing faculty and graduate students on Tuesday that the decision to pause admissions for school-funded Ph.D. programs was made as a result of the COVID-19 pandemics impact on the schools finances.

Get our newsletter, Dear Penn, delivered to your inbox every weekday morning.

While we recognize that this news is disappointing, we also believe that this is the most responsible course of action in these unsettled times, Fluharty and Wenger wrote. "We hope to accept applications in the fall of 2021 and welcome a new cohort of graduate students in the 2022-23 academic year."

In the coming weeks, Fluharty and Wenger will meet with graduate and department chairs to create a program that will provide funding to current Ph.D. students who require extra time to complete their degrees.

"Our graduate students fuel the fires of discovery in Penn Chemistry, and ultimately in the academic and industrial labs that they join after they graduate," Christianson wrote.

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Chemistry department will not pause admissions for Ph.D. students next academic year - The Daily Pennsylvanian

Insights on the ZDDP Additives Global Market to 2027 – Featuring Afton Chemical, AMS Technologies & ZPlus Among Others – ResearchAndMarkets.com -…

DUBLIN--(BUSINESS WIRE)--The "ZDDP Additives - Global Market Trajectory & Analytics" report has been added to ResearchAndMarkets.com's offering.

The publisher brings years of research experience to the 6th edition of this report. The 278-page report presents concise insights into how the pandemic has impacted production and the buy side for 2020 and 2021. A short-term phased recovery by key geography is also addressed.

Global ZDDP Additives Market to Reach $2.8 Billion by 2027

Amid the COVID-19 crisis, the global market for ZDDP Additives estimated at US$2.7 Billion in the year 2020, is projected to reach a revised size of US$2.8 Billion by 2027, growing at a CAGR of 0.5% over the period 2020-2027.

Primary Alkyl ZDDP, one of the segments analyzed in the report, is projected to record 0.4% CAGR and reach US$1.1 Billion by the end of the analysis period. After an early analysis of the business implications of the pandemic and its induced economic crisis, growth in the Secondary Alkyl ZDDP segment is readjusted to a revised 0.6% CAGR for the next 7-year period.

The U.S. Market is Estimated at $737.6 Million, While China is Forecast to Grow at 1.4% CAGR

The ZDDP Additives market in the U.S. is estimated at US$737.6 Million in the year 2020. China, the world`s second largest economy, is forecast to reach a projected market size of US$506.5 Million by the year 2027 trailing a CAGR of 1.4% over the analysis period 2020 to 2027. Among the other noteworthy geographic markets are Japan and Canada, each forecast to grow at -0.3% and 0.3% respectively over the 2020-2027 period. Within Europe, Germany is forecast to grow at approximately -0.1% CAGR.

Competitors identified in this market include, among others:

Key Topics Covered:

I. INTRODUCTION, METHODOLOGY & REPORT SCOPE

II. EXECUTIVE SUMMARY

1. MARKET OVERVIEW

2. FOCUS ON SELECT PLAYERS

3. MARKET TRENDS & DRIVERS

4. GLOBAL MARKET PERSPECTIVE

III. MARKET ANALYSIS

IV. COMPETITION

For more information about this report visit https://www.researchandmarkets.com/r/ir01o6

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Insights on the ZDDP Additives Global Market to 2027 - Featuring Afton Chemical, AMS Technologies & ZPlus Among Others - ResearchAndMarkets.com -...

Scarlett Johansson and Florence Pugh Have ‘More Chemistry Than Johansson and Ruffalo’ – Showbiz Cheat Sheet

Scarlett Johansson and Florence Pugh stand ready to take over the world by defending it from evil in the new Marvel Cinematic Universe movie Black Widow, the first film from Marvel Studios since the indomitable one-two punch of Avengers: Endgame and Spider-Man: Far From Home.

Even before uniting onscreen for the MCU movie, Johansson and Pugh shared a bond of sorts by working with Laura Dern in different movies and by both being nominated for Oscars this year. Having already weathered a delay from the original May release date, Marvel fans are more than a little eager to see them become a new Marvel super duo.

Johansson, has been acting since she was a teenager, gaining her first wide attention with the 1996 indie feature Manny & Lo, which netted her an Independent Spirit Award nomination.

Two years later, she would act opposite and be directed by her future Captain America: Winter Soldier star, Robert Redford, in the film The Horse Whisperer.

Her star kept rising over the next few years, in films as varied as Ghost World and Eight Legged Freaks. Another early career peak came in Sofia Coppolas acclaimed film Lost in Translation, where she acted opposite Bill Murray. She was double-nominated by the Golden Globes for that film and for The Girl with the Pearl Earring, although Oscar nominations for Johansson did not follow, surprising many.

She joined the MCU in 2010 with her performance as Natasha Romanoff in Iron Man 2. That movie is generally considered one of Marvels lesser efforts, but it will long be remembered for introducing Black Widow. Fans took to the character immediately, eyeing her for a solo movie, but that failed to materialize until after Natasha died in Endgame.

Her standalone movie will depict events taking place between Captain America: Civil War and Avengers: Infinity War, where she returns to Russia to meet with her family, including a sister figure played by Pugh.

RELATED: Why the MCU Wouldnt Dare Kill Off Florence Pughs Black Widow Character After 1 Movie

Pugh and Johansson both enjoyed banner years in 2019, with their ascendant paths eventually crossing on the awards circuit. Before last year, Pugh had already been getting notice with acclaimed performances in movies such as 2016s Lady Macbeth.

However, 2019 was the year that Pugh well and truly arrived, with a hat trick of acclaimed performances: as wrestler Paige in Fighting with My Family, as a woman getting in over her head in the brightly lit horror film Midsommar and for playing Amy March in Greta Gerwigs Little Women, the last of which got her an Oscar nomination for Best Supporting Actress.

Johansson, too, was nominated for Best Supporting Actress last year, for the film Jojo Rabbit, directed by Taika Waititi, who made Thor: Ragnarok. Johansson was also nominated in the lead actress category for the film Marriage Story, also starring Laura Dern, who won the Best Supporting Actress award for that film.

As it happened, Dern also starred as Marmee in Little Women.

Although Pughs and Johanssons chemistry has only been glimpsed in the trailers for Black Widow, Marvel fans on Reddit are already applauding the pair.

A fan posted a behind the scenes shot of the actresses on set, with another fan remarking. They have more chemistry than Johansson and Ruffalo.

That was a reference to the short-lived romance between Black Widow and Bruce Banner, which had been cultivated in Avengers: Age of Ultron.

The bad news is the pandemic pushed the release date of Black Widow from May to November. The good news for fans that it puts it in close proximity with Wonder Woman: 1984.

That film has also been delayed a number of times, but Warner Bros. just pushed it to Christmas Day, meaning one month fans get Johansson and Pugh, and the next month they get Gal Gadot.

Good things come to those who wait. Fans just hope they dont have to wait any longer for either movie.

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Scarlett Johansson and Florence Pugh Have 'More Chemistry Than Johansson and Ruffalo' - Showbiz Cheat Sheet

Anthony Rizzos message and the team chemistry built inside Cubs playoff bubble – The Athletic

As the union representative for the Cubs this year, Ian Happ has taken crash courses in labor relations, public health and the economics of staging a 60-game season in the middle of a pandemic. Looking at Major League Baseballs COVID-19 protocols for the playoff bubble, Happ noticed language about having to ask for permission to go for a walk outside your hotel room.

That feels more like a zoo animal than a baseball player or a human, Happ said in a matter-of-fact tone.

In simpler times, former Cubs manager Joe Maddon would bring the zoo animals to Wrigley Field. Road trips revolved around themes such as onesie pajamas, NFL jerseys and dressing like Pedro Strop, not prepackaged meals, personal protective equipment and self-isolation. But the Cubs are a first-place team with virtually a 100 percent chance to make the playoffs, in part, because they acknowledged the discipline and sacrifices it will take to stay healthy, protect their families and...

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Anthony Rizzos message and the team chemistry built inside Cubs playoff bubble - The Athletic