New Jersey chemistry expo features 'Global Salute to Polymers' recognition of R&D at Lucent's Bell Labs
FOR RELEASE MONDAY NOVEMBER 02, 1998
The North Jersey Section of the American Chemical Society (ACS) will honor Bell Labs, the research and development arm of Lucent Technologies (NYSE: LU), in a "Global Salute to Polymers" event Saturday, Nov. 7, capping seven days of National Chemistry Week activities sponsored by the North Jersey ACS.
Polymers are natural or synthetic compounds made of long chains of atoms and include familiar plastics such as those used in milk bottles, upholstery, and protective coatings for copper wire and optical fiber.
The "Salute" recognizes Bell Labs scientists, past and present, for their pioneering research and leadership in the application of polymers in communications networks throughout the world .
ACS Section Chair Alan Cooper, of the Schering-Plough Research Institute, will present a plaque to Arun Netravali, Bell Labs Executive Vice President, Research, in a ceremony at the LibertyScienceCenter in Jersey City, N.J.
"Bell Labs many contributions to the chemistry of telecommunications and the polymer industries revolutionized the way we communicate in the U.S. and worldwide," said Cooper.
"Bell Labs has a rich history of innovation in polymers," said Netravali, who will accept the award on behalf of hundreds of Bell Labs scientists whose contributions in this area have ranged from the invention of synthetic rubber during World War II to the development of new ways to print transistors earlier this year.
"We strive to push the envelope in the use of polymers in communications applications, " added Xina Quan, head of the Polymer and Chemical Engineering department at Bell Labs. "Some examples of current research are plastic transistors, plastic optical fibers, holographic storage media, miniature wireless devices, and low-cost components for data communications."
"Chemistry Expo" week in New Jersey includes full days of hands-on activities -- with demonstrations of safe experiments children aged seven and up can do at home - in local schools during the week and at the LibertyScienceCenter on Saturday, Nov. 7.
Children are making slime, marshmallow molecules, goofy putty, and "moo glue," among other things. They're coaxing electricity from fruits and vegetables, analyzing materials, learning about emulsions, surface tension and other "stuff" of the material world, and discovering how color-changing markers work and how chemistry can change the way optical fibers transmit signals.
Presenters include scientists and engineers from about 20 area companies, including Lucent, as well as professors, teachers and students from local colleges, universities, and high schools.
"We want to show that chemistry is fun," said Bell Labs researcher Valerie Kuck, "and that it's part of everyday life." Kuck chairs the National Chemistry Week committee for the ACS, North Jersey Section.
Lucent Technologies designs, builds and delivers a wide range of public and private networks, communications systems and software, consumer and business telephone systems and microelectronics components. Bell Labs is the research and development arm for the company. Further information about the company is available at
The ACS, with 155,000 members, is the largest scientific society in the world. Its mission is to encourage in the broadest and most liberal manner the advancement of the chemical enterprise and its practitioners. The ACS plays a leadership role in educating and communicating with public audiences -- citizens, students, public leaders and others. The North Jersey Section, with 7500 members, is the largest section of the ACS.