
Darwin’s Four Great Books
A lecture given as part of the Origins 09 series at Florida State University to celebrate the 150th anniversary of Darwin's 'On the Origin of Species'. Now in his 80th year, Alabama-born Edward Osborne (E.O.) Wilson has long enjoyed a reputation as ....
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The Quest for Human Origins
A lecture given as part of the Origins 09 series at Florida State University to celebrate the 150th anniversary of Darwin's 'On the Origin of Species'. Don Johanson's is one of the most recognized names in anthropology the world over. He reached int....
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The Seven Hat Problem and Error Correcting Codes
The power of mathematical notation and reasoning is exploited to relate a famous recreational mathematics problem (hat problem) with an important method for sending and receiving messages that have a small percentage of errors (Hamming codes). The pr....
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Constructing Chemical Formulas
An introduction to constructing and recognising chemical formulas. Using 20 well-known elements, the valency-rules which govern the atomic ratios are explained and used with several examples.
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Chemical Equations – and how we construct them
An introduction into the writing down of fully balanced chemical equations. The process is explained starting with word equations, finding all the relevant formulas and then working with some useful rules for finding the correct coefficients in the b....
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Oxidation Numbers and Equations
The concept of oxidation and reduction is explained and generalised using oxidation numbers with ionic and covalent examples. Several equations are balanced, using the oxidation number method to fix various atomic ratios.
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Communication with Space Probes and beyond
The main problems associated with communicating with distant space probes like Voyager 1 are investigated. The role played by diffraction in limiting the amount of power receivable on Earth is discussed. The further problems of reaching a nearby st....
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John Updike and American Christianity, Part 2
Updike's exploration of American Christianity and Hollywood movies in the 20th Century
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Communication on Earth, using Cables and Satellites
A brief look at the Physics behind sending signals along cables and via geostationary satellites. An experiment to measure the speed of an electrical pulse in a cable is described and the Physics of the orbits of communcations satellites is develope....
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Energy Challenges: Power from Hydrogen
We are faced with energy challenges and the promise of power with hydrogen. The fuel cell and solid state hydrogen storage methodologies are currently limited by materials and represent the cutting edge of energy technology. Implementation to a real ....
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Science in the 21st Century: Single Molecule Magnets
Single molecule magnets (SMMs) are compounds that possess very high-spin ground states and, in principle, should exhibit magnetic multi-stability at the molecular dimensions. The size of SMMs is on the nanometer scale, the so-called mesoscale. Hence ....
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Multi-Catalyst Systems
Many products you use everyday are the direct result of synthetic innovation in organic chemistry. The McQuade group is interested designing catalysts to aid in more efficient synthetic transformations. n We are especially interested in the effect of....
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Sudden Cardiac Death Studied in a Petri Dish
Some heart arrhythmias are produced by the presence of additional pacemakers in the heart. Those pacemakers are death tissues or scars that trap electrical waves. As an analogy, we pinned scroll waves to obstacles using the Belousov-Zhabotinsky react....
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Fun growing new materials and exploring their properties and applications
We have synthesized different alkali metal peroxychromates and K3NbO8 doped with K3CrO8crystals based on rare oxidation state of Chromium (V).We have studied their spectroscopic properties using EPR and pulsed EPR. Coherent spin manipulation on Cr+5 ....
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Complex Mixture Analysis by FT-Ion Cyclotron Resonance Mass Spectrometry
The ultrahigh mass resolving power and sub-ppm mass accuracy of Fourier transform ion cyclotron resonance mass spectrometry (FT-ICR MS) allow the assignment of a unique molecular formula to each peak in the mass spectrum. Ionization methods for petro....
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Advancements and improvements to etherification and olefination reactions
Etherification and olefination reactions play an important role in synthetic organic chemistry on a daily basis. As organic chemists we apply these methods to tackle synthetic targets of ever increasing complexity. As a graduate student in the Dudley....
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Bridges with Organic Chemistry
The development of reliable molecular scale building blocks for the construction of nanoscale devices is one of the greatest challenges for the development of numerous applications of these exciting materials. This research describes our efforts in t....
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In conversation with Michael Kasha
Nobel laureate, Harry Kroto, interviews Michael Kasha, who has had a distinguished career in science. He was at Berkeley during the Manhattan Project, worked as a graduate student with G N Lewis, is a member of the National Academy of Sciences and ha....
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Chemistry and Astronomy: Unification of Sciences
Takeshi Oka, Professor of Astronomy at the University of Chicago and discoverer of H3(+), positively ionised molecule of three protons, talks about the ways in which the various aspects of science are are all interlocked. In particular he shows the ....
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Powering the Planet
Dan Nocera of MIT gives a review of the world's current power demand and projects it forward to 2030. By using readily available data he shows that providing the increase needed is remarkably difficult given the need to restrict the production of ca....
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The Use of Optics in Art – David Hockney and Charles Falco
Charles Falco describes his and David Hockney's theory of the use of optical devices by mediaeval artists.
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Liquid Crystals
A review of the properties and behaviour of liquid crystals. Temperature effects.
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Magnetoresistance – A New Look
The importance of electron orbital angular momentum in the Hall, quantum Hall and Meissner - Ochsenfeld effects.
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Nanoscale Polyelectrolyte O(organic)LED
The advantages and problems of organic light emitting diodes. Synthetic polyelectroltye methods are described.
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Nigeria
A short presentation discussing the economic disadvantages that Nigerians face and one possible method of attempting to alleviate them. Thomas Rush suggests the use of education to help promote an improved quality of life for the citizens outside of ....
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Nuclear Structure and Gamma-ray Spectroscopy
The use of gamma-ray spectroscopy to study the structure of less well-known nuclei.
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Polyelectrolyte Multilayers Controlling Protein Adsorption etc.
A7r5 smooth muscle cells cultured on different polyelectrolyte multilayer (PEMU) thin films behaved differently. Cells Adhered and spread well on nafion terminated PEMUs, they attached less and migrated more on poly(allylamine hydrochloride) (PAH) te....
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Resistivity – A New Look
The importance of electron orbital angular momentum in the processes that contribute to resistivity.
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Secret Science – Invisible Ink
An introduction to acids and bases using simple kitchen equipment and some 'invisible ink'.
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Studying Macroscopic Stars Through Microscopic Nuclear Reactions
Astrophysics is one of the driving forces behind the study of nuclear reactions and nuclear structure. The FSU Department of Nuclear Physics has the facilities and techniques needed to experimentally explore both of these topics. This video briefly....
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Synthesis of Stable, Water Soluble Gold Colloids
Ligand exchange reactions were utilized in the production of aggregation-resistant gold nanoparticles, having an average diameter of 5 nm, comprising a gold core capped with a mixed shell of citrate and zwitterionic ligands. The prepared nanoparticl....
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The Art of Science
A look at the relationship between art and science with the emphasis on carbon nanotubes and protein fibres. Transmission and scanning electron microscopes.
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Using Algae to Help Solve the Energy Problem
Review of world energy problems and their possible solutions; A novel use of algae to produce bio-diesel.
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Wakulla Springs Treatment Plan
Wakulla Springs is dealing high levels of nitrates. These high levels have created a problem foreign local plants and animals. There is also a cosmetic problem due to the over-growth of algae. Smith Sewage Processing Plant, Wastewater Sprayfields, Se....
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Discovery of C-60

ACS Richard Smalley Eulogy
A moving address by Harry to the ACS meeting in San Francisco about his colleague and fellow Nobel Prize winner, Richard Smalley.
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Science, Society and Sustainability
A discourse about Harry's loves in science, the experiments leading up to the C-60 discovery in 1985 and the host of developments in putting C-60 and nanotubes to good use. Harry's ideas about public perception of science. Good reasons for being a s....
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Motion at Interfaces
This talk is aimed primarily at young children and expresses my enthusiasm and my love for science. Its an attempt at expressing that Science is fun. I talk about some of the experiments done as part of my graduate work. Strategies for achieving guid....
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Architecture in Nanospace
A brief history of carbon-60 and its developments into useful materials. How can chemistry help move us towards a more sustainable existence.
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Discovery and Creativity
Discovery of atoms and molecules in interstellar space using spectroscopy and how it expands our ideas of our Earth's make-up. Discovery of carbon-60 and creative ideas for the future.
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Isaac Newton and Gravitation
A look at what was known when Newton started to develop his theory of gravitation and how he used these ideas and data to make his great forward step
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The Klein Paradox 2
Standard analysis of the relativistic dynamics of scattering on a step potential leads to a paradox that contradicts the standard interpretation of a wave function in nonrelativistic theory. It is shown how is this result obtained by not being carefu....
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The Klein Paradox 1
Standard analysis of the relativistic dynamics of scattering on a step potential leads to a paradox that contradicts the standard interpretation of a wave function in nonrelativistic theory. It is shown how is this result obtained by not being carefu....
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Spectroscopy
A survey of the variety and usefulness of the wide-ranging techniques which incorporate the name spectroscopy.
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Kroto conducts Klemperer, K80

Penicillin – the Life Saver
Real-life story about one of the first uses of penicillin. An interview with a survivor.
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Science, the Enlightenment and the Internet
A wide-ranging discourse on how science and the enlightenment led to the great ideas of the founding fathers in the USA.
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Algebra
How simple algebra can be used to investigate cubes and other polyhedra up to icosahedra.
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Where do you come from?
A simple introduction to our ideas about where the elements which make up the Earth originated.
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Numbers HK
Harry gives an introduction to the difficulty of writing large numbers in Roman Numerals
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What are we made of?
Development of the ideas which persuaded us to accept the theory of atoms and molecules as constituents of matter.
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Maps
A brief introduction to getting over the problems of representing a sphere on a flat sheet.
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Direct Cluster Nuclear Transfer Reactions
Studies of direct cluster nuclear transfer reactions to give information about angular momentum values in excited states of nuclei.
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Nuclear Structure Studies at FSU
An overview of the low energy structure nuclear structure nphysics at Florida State University by a graduate student. The nparticle accelerator as well as certain nuclear experiments are described nto give insight into the research possibilities avai....
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High-Resolution Gamma-Ray Spectroscopy at Florida State University
Studies of nuclear stability using gamma-ray spectroscopy. Use in security scanning; PET scans;
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Organic Synthesis and Methodology – Inspired by Natural Products
Prof Gregory Dudley presents on a research program developing under his direction at Florida State University. The research program is centered in synthetic organic chemistry, with a specific emphasis on electrophilic coupling and C-C bond cleavage ....
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Systems Chemistry: How can reactions shape the macroscopic world?
Abstract: 21st century chemistry is slowly expanding its concepts into the realm of supermolecular phenomena. However, few tools exist for explaining, creating and controlling complex macroscopic structures and dynamics. In this talk, I discuss our....
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The Discovery of Element 101
A first-hand interview of the moment of this discovery from Greg Choppin who worked with Glen Seaborg.
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Algebra with Chinese subtitles
How simple algebra can be used to investigate cubes and other polyhedra up to icosahedra.
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Crater Formation in Sand
A description and demonstration of the way in which craters formed by dropping objects into sand can be linked to some elementary physics
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Estimation – Educated Guesswork?
How can we make sensible estimates of very large numbers? It is often very important to know the size of an unknown number, at least to within a factor of ten.
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Square Roots 2

All numbers are not equal
An introduction to the various types of numbers which are recognised as important.
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Fractions 2
An approach to adding and subtracting fractions, using an understanding of the processes involved.
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Fractions 1
How can we represent fractions in the simplest way? Equivalence of decimal and common fractions.
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Fractions 3
Mutiplying and dividing fractions: a systematic approach to this perennial problem.
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Percentages
Making life easy when using percentages. A sometimes fraught topic looked at differently.
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Simple and Compound Interest

Logarithms

A Quantum Gas
The quantum gas is an extreme state of an ensemble of atoms when their de Broglie wave length is of the same length as the size of the container. The ways of achieving this state are described and also how its temperature is defined.
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Why we all need the arts
A brief critical survey of the necessary function of the arts and their similarity to science.
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BuckyBall Workshop to Iceland
An Internet Buckyball workshop to 80 young children in Iceland which worked extremely well. It was the first test of the FSU Internet GEO project.
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