Chemistry Articles

                                               WOMEN IN CHEMISTRY


The creation of beautiful colors, decorative instruments, clothes, jewelry and even food is due to the contribution of Chemistry. And the proper use of those things is performing mostly by women. Chemistry is considered as a creative part of general sciences. The food that we eat, air that we breathe , clothes, medicines and cleansing agents all are the beautiful gifts of Chemistry. Not only these, chemistry also works in the field of destruction if it is necessary. Atomic bomb is the destructive product of chemistry. Every single material in the universe is a chemical and the ability to understand and manipulate these chemicals is found mostly in women. We should not forget that, we all are chemist because, we all use chemicals and even our body is storage of chemicals. Knowingly or unknowingly, we are using chemicals in every moment of our life. Whereas, women are regarded as mostly chemical users. This is because they have to look after their kids, clean their houses, wash their clothes, and prepare food etc. comparing with man they use chemicals more. They are also as creative as chemistry. Many handicrafts, dyes, ornaments etc are prepared on the behalf of women and chemistry. Here it is also important to know that chemistry is an experimental subject which is exhibited by the activities and creations of women. They might use chemicals without the theoretical knowledge of their properties. But they are expert in its use experimentally. It is involved in everything; it is the basis of life without which we couldn’t exist. Normally chemicals are found to be miscible or they can make good relationship with any other substance. Similarly, women are also considered as a good relationship building creation of god.

On the other hand, we can find out the name of famous women chemist in huge number. Who have contributed their best in the field of chemistry and are the Nobel Prize receiver too. It is not such easy to kiss the peak of success as we think. Again in case of women it is further more difficult task. Mainly in eastern society, there is a large distance between male and female. Women are not allowed to be such free in their research work, field work, education etc as men. Naturally or physically, they are poor in such a constructive work. Their family members, society and all other who knows them are in against of their freedom. So it is a great challenging issue for women to achieve their goal. However they did not loose their passion and are not losing too, which is directing them on the way of success. It is not sure that all the gentle man could achieve success in their field of work if they have to stay in the boundary of society as woman. Thus, we have to respect women’s hard working, honest and laborious behavior.

Especially in the field of chemistry, a huge number of women have contributed their best. They invented many instruments, chemicals, and theories too. Their discovery is working well in the world till now. We are well known about the name and properties of different medicines, dyes, machines, etc. but unfortunately, the name of inventors is kept behind it. No one is taking it as a serious matter till now. I think it is very important to know the inventor of any instruments or chemicals. Either the inventor is male or female. Somewhat the name of the male chemist is well-known but it of the female is always hidden. Which is affecting upcoming female chemist badly?

However, we are now in this stage, we can do our work as quickly as we want. We can test the purity of any substances if we want which was only in the imagination of our ancestors. This is all due to the great achievement in the field of chemistry. And in most of them women’s participation is also a assisting factor. Here I want to remember some immortal and famous women chemist without wasting my time. First of all one of the honorable woman chemist is Marie Curie who pioneered radioactivity research. She was the first two times Nobel laureate and the only person to win the award in two different sciences. She was also the first woman to a Nobel Prize. Similarly, Marie Haldenstein is also another unforgettable name in the list of woman chemists. She developed ultra-sensitive chemical detection and medical diagnostic tests. Another woman who sacrificed her life in the field of chemistry and probes DNA with electrons is Jacqueline Barton. Here, we should not forget the name of Edith Flannigan who invented a process for making synthetic emeralds. In addition to their use for making beautiful jewelry, the perfect emeralds made it possible to make powerful microwave lasers. She received the first Perkin medal ever awarded to a woman for her work synthesizing zeolites in 1992. M. Katharine Holloway and Chen Zhao are two of the chemists who developed protease inhibitors to inactive the HIV virus, greatly extending the lives of aids patients.

These are only some representative names who have contributed a lot in the field of chemistry. There are many other woman chemist who have done their best and whose discovery is still working in favour of human. Many of them have left this world although; their inventions or creations are still alive and will be immortal till the existence of the sun and the earth. It is as important to recall the name of women who makes our life easier due to their unexpected success as men. In my opinion, appreciation for their discovery is the most important factor for them to be satisfied. If we couldn’t remind their achievement as well their name who have passed out already then, their soul wont get peace.

Furthermore, not only those certain inventions are enough for this world. This world is lacking more such creations and discovery which is possible only due to continuous labor and hard study. And it is possible due by women as well as men. If women are well treated, if they are allowed to face on the light of education and if they get such a freedom and security as men for their research then it is sure that the result will be the best. Without women chemistry won’t be completed. Chemistry always lacks involvement of women because; they are the best users of chemicals. Hence, we all have to assist women from our side and level for their best result in the field of chemistry. This is because chemistry only meet all the criteria for the study of matters. Finally, I want to conclude my essay that, woman and chemistry both are the fundamental part for the survival of all the creatures. If we encourage women in their deeds, then only the world will get essential and the best result in chemistry. There is nothing impossible for women if they want and if they get our support. So, let’s walk hand in hand for the appreciation and encouragement of women in chemistry.

 

Polymer Modification: A use of natural fibers   

Polymeric materials are becoming increasingly used in different aspects of everyday life worldwide. Even in  developing countries like Nepal, the demand of polymeric materials is increasing. At present, polymer science is guiding the most interesting areas of Nanotechnology; the most rapidly advancing area of contemporary research activities worldwide. Therefore, it has been already late enough to take initiatives for the introduction of research and development (R&D) activities as well as education in polymer science and technology (PST) in Nepal. On the other hand, the excessive use of petroleum-based polymers without proper management of the plastics-based wastes has created a lot of environmental problems. One often neglected issue in this regard is the economic aspect of the excessive use and environmental degradation caused by the use of those plastics materials. Therefore, it is of utmost importance, for the countries like Nepal, to develop the materials which serve simultaneously to save the foreign currency (by reducing the imports of petroleum-based products), enhance the income generation of the local public, and develop new materials based on local, renewable resources such as natural fibers.

Natural fibers (such as those from bamboo, flax, banana, pineapple, Vimal etc. which can be obtained easily in to our forests) have been used as reinforcing materials in different types of matrices [1–2]. Recently, the effective utilization as a reinforcing material for different polymer matrices has been the focus of several studies. Thus, the reinforcing materials from renewable resources have become the choice for several applications. The reason behind the use of these natural fibers is the presence of cellulose which is found in different crystalline forms and endows the fibers with high mechanical strength and flexibility.

In this regard, the thermosetting resins, which are generally prepared by the reaction of epoxide group-containing compounds with some cross-linking agents, are used extensively to bind glass, porcelain, metal, and wood. When properly cured, epoxy resins can yield very tough materials that can be used to manufacture articles for industrial floorings, foams, potting materials for electrical insulations etc. These resins suffer, however, from brittle mechanical behavior and hence need to be toughened and reinforced. Natural fibers, being renewable resources and due to their several useful properties, can be used for this purpose [3-5].

Natural fibers are any hair like raw material directly obtained from an animal, vegetable, or mineral source. The reinforcing efficiency of natural fiber is related to the nature of cellulose and its crystallinity. The main components of natural fibers are cellulose (a-cellulose), hemicellulose, lignin, pectin, and waxes. After grinding and subsequent removing of lignin, pectin, and waxes by chemical treatment the fibers are made ready to reinforce into the polymer matrixes. A Nano- cellulosic fiber can be made by steam explosion technique.

In Nepal, though late, some initiative work has been commenced on this field. If sufficient concentration is drawn by the government and related authorities in this regard we will be able to fulfill the polymer demand in our country easily by using natural resources and create lots of employment opportunities.

                                                                  

                                                              Fig 1: Picture of Grewia optiva (Vimal plant)

                                  The fabrication of composites revealed the following structure as shown in figure 2.    

  The f

          

                           Fig. 2a) Neat fiber (NF) + resin composite b) Washed fiber (NF') + resin composite) 

                            c) Bleached fiber (NF'') + resin composite

 The Fourier Transform Infrared Spectra (FTIR spectra) of resorcinol-formaldehyde resin (RF) and the composites (90/10 composition by weight) with neat fiber flour (NF), NaOH treated fiber flour (NF') and bleached fiber flour (NF'') are compared with resorcinol-formaldehyde resin (RF) in Fig. 3. The peaks are also observed in the spectra of the neat filler and NaOH treated filler loaded RF/FF composites. The spectra of the composites shows the peaks corresponding to cellulosic filler (3430 cm^-1, 1740 cm^-1, 1430 cm^-1 and around 1000 cm^-1) and the peaks characteristics of the thermosetting resin around1603cm^-1 and 1093cm^-1 .

 On comparing the neat fiber (NF)-resin composite with that the washed (NF') and bleached fiber (NF'')-resin composite, the –OH concentration increases due to the effective bonding between the fiber and resin. So by the increase in –OH concentration the peak on them has broadened.              

Fig 3: Comparison of FTIR spectra of different composites comprising 10 wt.-% of neat fiber (NF), 

               NaOH treated fiber (NF') and bleached fiber (NF'')

 

REFERENCES

[1]           Singha, A. S., Shama, A., and Thakur, V. K., Bulletin of Material Science 31, 7 (2008).

[2]           Kaith, B. S., Singha, A. S., Sanjeev K., and Susheel K., International Journal  of Polymeric Materials 57, 54 (2008).

              [3]             Veldevan, de K. and Kiekens, P., Compos Struct. 62, 443 (2003).

              [4]             Singha, A. S. and Shama. A., International. J. Chem. Sci. 5, 1404 (2007).

              [5]              Misra, B. N., Kishore, J., Kanthwal, M., and Mehta, I. K., J. Polym. Sci. Polym.                                      Chem. Ed., 24, 2209 (1986). 

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