Nobel Laureate Robert Curl Lectures on “A Brief History of Carbon” at Spelman College
As one of the co-discoverers of carbon cage compounds called fullerenes, Robert Curl, Ph.D., will discuss the timeline of human experience with elemental carbon and its chemistry during the lecture “A Brief History of Carbon” on Nov. 15.
WHAT:
Robert Curl, Ph.D., awarded the Nobel Prize in Chemistry in 1996 as one of the co-discoverers of carbon cage compounds called fullerenes, will discuss the timeline of human experience with elemental carbon and its chemistry during the lecture “A Brief History of Carbon.” The discovery of fullerenes, also known as “buckyballs,” has been influential in the development of nanotechnology, which continues to have a major impact in medicine and consumer electronics, in addition to contributing to various environmental applications such as renewable energy and pollution prevention.
A Q&A session and reception will follow the lecture.
The event is free and open to the public.
WHO:
Robert Curl is the Kenneth S. Pitzer-Schlumberger Professor of Natural Sciences Emeritus and university professor emeritus at Rice University in Houston, Texas. Curl graduated with a bachelor’s degree from Rice Institute. He received his Ph.D. at the University of California, Berkeley, and was a research fellow at Harvard University.
Curl's research focus is in physical chemistry, with particular attention given to high-resolution spectroscopy. In addition to the Nobel Prize, Curl is also a co-recipient of the American Physical Society International Prize for New Materials and the American Carbon Society Medal for Achievement in Carbon Science.
WHEN:
4 p.m.
Monday, Nov. 15, 2010
WHERE:
Spelman College, Science Building, Room 134 (NASA Auditorium), 350 Spelman Lane, Atlanta GA 30314
WHY:
Carbon, in its numerous forms including diamond, graphite and coal, is one of the oldest and most abundant of chemical elements. “A Brief History of Carbon” is presented by Spelman College department of physics, department of chemistry and the American Institute of Physics.
About Spelman College
Founded in 1881, Spelman College is a prestigious, highly selective, liberal arts college that prepares women to change the world. Located in Atlanta, Ga., this historically black college boasts a 79 percent graduation rate, and outstanding alumnae such as Children's Defense Fund Founder Marian Wright Edelman; former U.S. Foreign Service Director General Ruth Davis, authors Tina McElroy Ansa and Pearl Cleage; and actress LaTanya Richardson. More than 83 percent of the full-time faculty members have Ph.D.s or other terminal degrees, and the average faculty to student ratio is 12:1. More than 2,100 students attend Spelman. For more information, visit www.spelman.edu.
Audrey Arthur, Spelman College, (404) 270-5892, aarthur3@spelman.edu
Spelman College
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