Chemistry in Motion (4/1/09)

You can get there from here. And if you travel by car, your trip requires all sorts of chemistry, says Richard N. Zare, the Marguerite Blake Wilbur Professor in Natural Science at Stanford University.

Zare will deliver "Cars: Chemistry in Motion," a free public lecture on the close relationship between cars and chemistry at 7 p.m. on Thursday, April 9, at Montana State University. in the Hager Auditorium of MSU's Museum of the Rockies.

"When it comes to getting from here to there, chemistry is essential, whether it be a trip to the local store to buy groceries or a shot into space to explore the universe," he said. "Cars, for example, are truly chemistry in motion. Today's automobile relies heavily upon chemical industry innovations to enhance performance, to provide safety for its occupants, and to deliver fuel efficiency.

"On average, each car contains nearly $2,000 worth of chemical processing and products," Zare said, including such items as polyurethane seat cushions, neoprene hoses, brake fluids, and sealants and adhesives.

“Chemistry really keeps America moving."

Chemistry also addresses the environmental issues associated with automobile transportation, including the challenge of cutting carbon dioxide emissions, but more needs to be done, Zare said.

Zare is known for his laser chemistry research, which resulted in a greater understanding of chemical reactions at the molecular level. He has made seminal contributions to the knowledge of molecular collision processes, which helped solve a variety of problems in chemical analysis. His development of laser-induced fluorescence has been widely adopted in other laboratories.

Zare's lecture is sponsored by MSU's Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry and EPSCoR. For more information, contact MSU chemistry professor Tim Minton at (406) 994-5394 or tminton@montana.edu.

Teresa McPherson was the former Editor of Adhesives & Sealants Industry. She has held several editorial positions during her more than 20 years with BNP Media. She holds a bachelor’s degree in English and journalism from Eastern Michigan University.