Database expanded Spectroscopic data on another 200 shortlived molecules have been added to NIST's Vibrational and Electronic Energy Levels of Small Polyatomic Transient Molecules Database (VEEL). The program now holds data on 1796 molecules. VEEL consists of two molecular databases and associated reference files of groundstate vibrational fundamentals of three- to 16-atom transient molecules and the electronic energy levels of excited-state vibrational fundamentals for three- to sixatom molecules plus some selected sevento 16-atom molecules. VEEL is avaiiable from the Standard Reference Data Program Bldg 820 Rm 113 NIST Gaithersburg Md 20899-0001 (301- 975-2208; fax 301- 926-0416; e-mail srdata@enh nist gov
BUSINESS
Micromass officially launched Speaking to the press at Analytica in Munich, Germany, for the first time as an independent company, officials with Micromass said they plan to compete in all areas of the MS business. In addition, Tony Hixson, marketing manager for Micromass, told Analytical Chemistry that the financial condition of the new company is secure, saying, "We can pay the banks." Micromass is the Manchester, U.K.based management group that purchased VG's MS business from Fisons for £47 million. In 1995 these businesses had £52 million in revenue. The buy-out was POTT)pleted April 1.
A European program for a better quality of life
Rhine Basin analysis program changing Discussions are now underway that will change the format of the Rhine Basin Program that monitors contaminants in the
Rhine and other European rivers, according to Piet van Hout, program manager. The program was launched in 1990 by Hewlett-Packard in honor of their 50th anniversary. Since then, the program has picked up seven additional partners and expanded its monitoring activities to about 15 other rivers, including ones in eastern Europe, said van Hout. The program currently costs HP about $1 million a year, and the company hopes to find other organizations to assume more of the financial burden beginning in 1997. van Hout said that options being discussed include a role for the European Commission (EC) based in Brussels and establishment of a foundation. HP still plans to have a major role in the program. The Rhine Basin Program has played a major role in developing analytical technologies that are "on-line, on-site, and automated," said van Hout. Many of these methods are for multiple analytes. The next step, said van Hout, is to make the technologies smaller and cheaper to run. In addition, he hopes to extend the monitoring to measuring toxic effects on organisms such as mussels. Currently, the EC does not regulate contaminants in surface waters but does set an "alarm" value of 3 ug/L for herbicides and other pollutants. However drinking water pesticides regulated at 0 1 ug/L
PEOPLE
1 9 9 7 - 9 8 Fulbright Scholar Awards The Fulbright Program, funded and administered by the U.S. Information Agency, requests nominations for Fulbright Scholar Awards. Ranging from two months to a full academic year, the awards offer opportunities for lecturing or advanced research in nearly 135 countries and are flexible to meet the needs of the grantee. Nominees must be U.S. citizens who have earned Ph.D.s. Applications are encouraged from professionals outside academia, as well as from faculty at all types of institutions. To receive lecturing awards university or college teaching experience is required. Application materials be obtained from the USIA Fulbright Senior Scholar Program Council for International Exchange of Scholars 3997 Tilden St N W Suite 5M Box GNEWS Washington DC 20008-3009 (202-686-7877; internet htto7/www
cies.org/; e-mail [application materials only]
[email protected]). Deadline is Aug. 1.
Benedetti-Pichler nominations The American Microchemical Society is requesting nominations for the 1997 Benedetti-Pichler Award, which recognizes outstanding achievements in microanalytical chemistry. The award consists of a plaque and expenses to attend the Eastern Analytical Symposium in Somerset, NJ, in November to receive the award. Nominations, including at least two supporting letters, should be sent to Robert Michel, Dept. of Chemistry, University of Connecticut, Storrs, CT 06269 (203486-3143; fax 203-486-298L e-maii
[email protected]). Deadline is Oct. 30.
Web sites Digital Instruments—http:// www.di.com; site offers more than 100 scanning probe microscope images in sections on life sciences, semiconductors, atoms and STM, magnetic force microscopy and data storage, and materials; images are added and rotated on a regular schedule. MICRA Scientific—http:// www.micrasci.com/; includes information on chromatography columns. Polysciences—http://www.polysciences.com; includes information on the company and its chemical and reagent products. Rockland Technologies—http:// rti.zorbax.com; includes chromatograms for more than 100 applications, a column selection guide, and product, seminar, and contact information. Thermotron—http://www.thermotron.com; includes information on environmental simulation, testing, and screening equipment as well as used equipment Water Environment Federation—http://www.wef.org; includes water quality information, technical resources, product information, and technical discussion groups.
Analytical Chemistry News & Features, June 1, 1996 349 A
