ΙιΓ*ΐν«.1^ίϊΤΞ»ΤΓ5Τ53:ΐ cle, where electrochemical reduction of water also is occurring. "The result is the formation of fractal 'wires' which grow toward the nearest point on the other particle's surface," the researchers explain in last week's Nature [389, 268 (1997)]. These wires tend to be veiy fragile, but Bradley says his group has found a way to make them more robust in air. The Drexel researchers also demonstrate that they can selectively form wires between specific particles of a small array simply by changing the direction of the electric field. They expect they can extend this concept to 3-D particle arrays to permit the construction of 3-D microcircuitry. For this to be feasible, they note, components will have to be scaled down. They are working toward this objective and have already shown that submicrometer wires can be grown on particles as small as a few micrometers in diameter. A forthcoming paper from the group in Advanced Materials describes how they use this approach to build simple, stable circuits on a circuit board. Chemistry professor Michael J. Sailor of the University of California, San Diego, who has grown polymer wires on electrodes, observes that "although living systems have developed several techniques for growing interconnect structures (for example, neuronal connections in the brain), modem technology has a very limited set of tools to construct the analogous 'artificial' structures. This paper represents a milestone achievement in that regard." Drexel University has filed two provisional patents on the work, and potential licensees are being sought. Ron Dagani
joint-venture site [has] had associations with chemical weapons manufacture." "About four or five other U.S. chemical companies are considering potential Russian investments," says Michael P. Walls, Chemical Manufacturers AssociaDuPont is investing $10 million in a joint tion senior assistant general counsel. But, venture with a Russian company, A. O. he cautions, "I'm not sure if they are inKhimpom, Novocheboksarsk, to build a terested only in plants that fall under the herbicide production facility on a com- conversion program or if they are talking plex that once also housed a Soviet about broader investments in Russia." Union chemical weapons facility. The The U.S. government, however, is now venture aims to serve Russia's rapidly ex- seeking OPCW approval for conversion of panding agricultural markets, which a declared chemical weapons production could reach $1 billion within a decade. facility in Van Nuys, Calif. This facility, opNovocheboksarsk, about 400 miles east erated under contract to the Army by Marof Moscow, was—in typical Soviet fash- quardt Co., purchased commercially availion—a multiple-use complex. Chemical able industrial chemicals to fill compoweapons were made on a highly secured nents of the Bigeye binary bomb and part of the complex, and that part would binary artillery shells. have to be destroyed or converted to peaceAll specialized equipment and building ful uses under strict Chemical Weapons features have been removed and have been Convention guidelines. Approval for con- destroyed or are scheduled to be destroyed. versions must come from the Organization Since 1992, Marquardt has been leasing the for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons building to other firms that manufacture (OPCW), The Hague-based group imple- aircraft parts or produce motion pictures menting the treaty, to ensure that the con- and television programs. The U.S. expects verted facilities are no longer able to pro- formal OPCW approval next month. duce chemical weapons. Japan, a treaty ratifier, has declared as A U.S. government official says Du- a production facility the building where Pont was veiy concerned that it not vio- the Aum Shinrikyo cult made the nerve late the treaty, which the U.S.—but not gas sarin it used in a terrorist attack on Russia—has ratified. "It veiy carefully the Tokyo subway system in 1995. checked the ramifications of the treaty OPCW has inspected die site to verify before it went ahead," this official tells tiiat all chemicals and equipment have been C&EN. removed. But die site itself cannot be deDuPont did so by hiring San Diego- stroyed because it is evidence in trials of based consulting company Science Ap- cult members. Japan has asked OPCW to plications International, which, in turn, consider die maintenance of die site as trial engaged David A. Kay. Kay, who led spe- evidence to be a peaceful conversion, but cial United Nations inspections teams in OPCW has denied that request. An accomIraq after the 1991 Persian Gulf War, says modation is expected to be worked out. he found no evidence that "the proposed Lois Ember
Converting chemical arms plants to peaceful uses
Oregon chemist wins presidential mentoring award Géraldine L. Richmond, a professor of chemistry at the University of Oregon, Eugene, is the only chemist among the 10 individuals who received the 1997 Presidential Award for Excellence in Science, Mathematics & Engineering Mentoring. Nine institutions also received the award. The awards, administered by the National Science Foundation and given for the first time last year, recognize outstanding efforts "to increase the participation of underrepresented groups in science, mathematics, and engineering." Recipients receive a $10,000 grant and a certificate. In nominating her for the award, Richmond's former students at Bryn Mawr College, Bryn Mawr, Pa., wrote: "As a researcher, [Richmond] was the most sought-after undergraduate research adviser, with the most innovative research projects and the most supportive work environment. And, as a mentor, all science majors freely consulted her for advice, not only about the academic program but also about weathering the vagaries of student life." Richmond believes her strongest mentoring will be done through research. One of her priorities is to mentor women in research universities early in their careers so they can move up the academic ladder and "change the culture" for women in these universities from the top down. Mairin Brennan
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