George Parris

Chemistry & Materials for Civilization George Parris

This book is targeted at two audiences: (1) Non-scientists with an interest in technology and (2) scientists who are starting a career outside of academia especially in chemistry. It is written in three parts. Part I covers the basic physics and chemistry need to understand light, energy, atoms, molecules, chemical reactions. It is presented from a historical perspective and minimizes math. Part I provides most of what is really useful to non-chemists in a two-semester general chemistry course. Obviously, most science and engineering majors can skip this material. Part II provides a historical summary of materials (metals, polymers, plastics, dyes, fuels, explosives, fertilizers, drugs, pesticides, herbicides, building materials, industrial chemicals, etc.) that affect our daily lives. I am particularly interested in (i) how these materials interconnect in peace-time and war-time economies, (ii) how advances in one area creates innovation in others, and (iii) how natural resources shape trade, commerce, and strategic decision-making. I am interested in how personal, economic, legal, political and military considerations have impacted and are impacted by technology. Part III specifically addresses bio-active materials (drugs, pesticides, herbicides and "pollutants"). After describing the technologies, I provide an overview of how governments (especially the US) has evolved a net work of regulations to try to ensure the health and well-being of this citizens. This includes an overview of laws for environmental protection in the US and some insight as to how these laws come into being and how they are implemented. Much of this material in Parts II and III are sadly absent for college courses for chemists and material scientists. If you are a recent graduate in chemistry (and regardless of what you think, most of you are not going to get jobs in academia), you need to read Parts II and III. My qualifications for writing this book? A PhD in chemistry and a very diversified career. I have been on the fringes of academia, worked for and/or a consulted to federal agencies (EPA, FDA, NIST, DoE, CoE, etc.), lobbyist for a trade association, marketed and managed multi-million dollar projects, was in the Army, have sold used cars on commission and have worked as a seasonal employee for a delivery company...you do what you have to do to pay the bills. Search "George E. Parris" on the internet and pubmed and you will find a variety things I have published.