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markobri
Contributor III

Where's the Chemistry In Plants? Photo Contest

Win a Flip Video Camera and Improve the Public’s Appreciation for Chemistry.

Chemists know that that there’s more to a plant than green leaves and a hardy root system.  However, to the general public, chemistry’s relationship to plant life is not always apparent.  Therefore, to improve the public’s understanding of why plants really are green machines, the ACS Network is sponsoring the “Where’s the Chemistry In Plants?” photo contest. 


Here’s how the contest works:


Take a photo of plant, an item that is derived from plants, equipment used to study plants, you name it.  Then in 250 words or less, describe the photo and its relationship to chemistry.  You might choose to detail a plant’s chemical properties, how chemists unlock substances in plants to create new medicines, how plant based materials are used to make environmentally friendly products that we depend on everyday.  It’s up to you.


To participate, reply to this thread and post your photo and entry.  The deadline for submissions is May 1, 2010.  Winners will be determined through the use of an on-line poll on the network. Voting will begin on May 2 and close on May 15.

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8 Replies
sullyjohn
New Contributor III

Re: Where's the Chemistry In Plants? Photo Contest

Is this open to anyone?  Can I direct my children's science classes to this competition?  Would children not associated with ACS be eligible for the flip video camera? (not mine as children of an ACS employee)

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ethanyan
New Contributor

Re: Where's the Chemistry In Plants? Photo Contest

Biodiesel can be used to replace petroleum-based diesel.  It is made from vegetable oil, restaurant frying oil, or cooking oil, e.g., it is made from soybeans, rapeseed, or sunflower.  There are a few grades of biodiesel:  B20 is a mixture of 20% biodiesel, and 80% petrodiesel.  Similarly, there is B5 and B100.

              Biodiesel gives out less greenhouse gasses than petrodiesel and gasoline.  If you use B20 to replace petrodiesel, the emissions of unburned hydrocarbons are reduced by over 20%, carbon monoxide and particulate matter each by over 10%.  Biodiesel is also biodegradable and renewable.  Fossil fuels are not renewable and might run out some day. 

            In 2007, San   Francisco converted its fleet of diesel vehicles to biodiesel.  They started a program called SF Grease: the city collects restaurants’ used oil to recycle into biodiesel.  This is brilliant because San   Francisco spends 3.5 million dollars each year to unclog the sewer pipes, sometimes clogged by used cooking oil.

           

            Biodiesel is produced by transesterification, where an alcohol is added to vegetable oil to produce biodiesel plus glycerin.  A catalyst such as sodium hydroxide or potassium hydroxide is required. Glycerin can be used to make soap. The process was patented by a Belgian in 1937.

           

            This collage consists of pictures taken at the first B100 biodiesel station in San   Francisco.  Their biodiesel is made from vegetable oil and stored in an 8000-gallon tank.  They sell 300 gallons to cars, trucks, and tour busses everyday.  They also collect used oil for SF Grease. 

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spark333
New Contributor

Re: Where's the Chemistry In Plants? Photo Contest

Mark,

I attached my entry as a PDF.

Sue Park

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markobri
Contributor III

Re: Where's the Chemistry In Plants? Photo Contest

Thanks to Ethan and Sue for their entries in the photo contest.  Now it's time to decide the winner.  Vote today in the "Where's the Chemistry In Plants?" poll in the the group.

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amhoffman
New Contributor

Re: Where's the Chemistry In Plants? Photo Contest

I've got some great pictures. Too bad I didn't hear about the contest until today...May 7.

Angela Hoffman

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markobri
Contributor III

Re: Where's the Chemistry In Plants? Photo Contest

Angela, It is to late for them to be included in the contest. But I would love to see your photos and their connection to chemistry anyway. Would you mind sharing?

Mark

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spark333
New Contributor

Re: Where's the Chemistry In Plants? Photo Contest

And the winner is .....?

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markobri
Contributor III

Re: Where's the Chemistry In Plants? Photo Contest

Congratulations to Sue Park for her winning entry "Flower Color

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