Group News

A number of events are being set up by SCI's Regional and Technical Groups for Early Career Scientists. Keep an eye on our events calendar and make the most of support being offered to PhD students, postdocs, and those starting out in industry or academia.

We look forward to putting our 2012-14 strategy into place, with the support of our members and partners. For more information on the SCI's priority objectives, see the About Us page below.

Getting too many e-mails from us? You may belong to too many technical groups. We'd recommend you limit your choice to just a couple, and one regional group.

This event focussed on the industrial utilisation of biorenewable polymers.

The challenges associated with providing sufficient food in the near future are now high profile, but the nutritional quality of food is also an issue for huge numbers of people today

Please tell us what you think of SCI's services

As voted by Members at the 2011 Annual General Meeting, annual membership fees are now £90 for Standard Membership and £25 for Student Membership.

At the Board's annual planning day on 21 September 2011, we reviewed our strategic direction and rolling three-year plan, and realigned our priorities for the future.

SCI's Board of Trustees has decided that SCI should undertake a thorough review of its awards programme. During 2012, we are therefore cutting back the distribution of awards to a minimum until the review is completed.

When your Board of Trustees last met on 16 November 2011, the key priority was to agree the rolling business plan for 2012-14 and the budget to implement this.

On 17 November at SCI HQ, Professor Subhash Anand, from the University of Bolton, presented a Public Evening Lecture on Nonwoven Fabrics in Healthcare and Medical Devices, where he reminded us that 'life often hangs by a thread'.

The debate surrounding carbon capture and storage intensifies as scientists examine the capacity for storing carbon dioxide underground, in a study published today in the new journal Greenhouse Gases: Science & Technology.

Water use to grow and process biomass feedstocks for fuels has recently emerged as an important controversy. In a world where several countries already face water stress – and where over 70% of global freshwater use takes place in the agricultural sector – bioenergy development might present considerable challenges, from the perspective of water quantity as well as water quality.

A new book has been published by SCI in collaboration with John Wiley & Sons. Energy and Climate: How to achieve a successful energy transition provides a technological roadmap for a transition which aims to avoid both ecological and economic disasters.

My talk triggered some interesting comments regarding the synthetic steps I use and also the scope of the project.

Read the Members' Code of Ethics, which is available online below.

EUREKA runs the Eurostars SME Programme to co-fund R&D and innovation projects in research-intensive SMEs, which have an ambition to develop ground-breaking new products, processes and services for the world market.

The Castle Debates Series offers high-level environmental debates with leading scientific, legal and governmental speakers.

There have been a number of changes to tenancies at our London Belgrave Square headquarters recently.

Can you think of a fellow member worth their weight in gold? Nominate them to receive the Lampitt Medal or a Distinguished Service Award

Julian Perfect has kindly volunteered to take up the role of Hon Librarian. SCI will continue to seek additional volunteers to support Julian and to help us to ensure continuity.

On 17 November 2011, Prof Subhash Anand delivered an SCI Public Evening Lecture on 'Non-woven fabrics in healthcare and medical devices'

Andrew Ladds (CEO of SCI, 2005 - 2010) has resigned as an SCI trustee, effective 1 September 2011, citing the growing demands of his chemical-using business activities

Dame Sue Ion has been a prominent figure in the UK nuclear industry for decades, and is internationally recognised as an expert in nuclear fuels.

We have definitive legal advice on the subject of sending 'unsolicited direct marketing emails' and a few suggestions on how to guard against breach of the legislation are also set out below.

Richardson Bursar Joseph Ikwebe reports from the World Renewable Energy Congress (WREC) 2011, which took place from Sweden, 8-13 May 2011.

BS 10175 'Investigation of Potentially Contaminated Sites - Code of Practice' 22 June 2011 Conference Papers

Distinguished Service Awards are presented annually at the Society's AGM. The awards celebrate the hard work and goodwill of longer-serving Members of all component parts of the Society

Tim White has been a member of SCI since 1980, and has been involved with the Environment Group Committee. In 2001, he founded Marquis and Lord, a company of consulting scientists offering bespoke investigation and review services to the legal, insurance and engineering professions

6-12 June 2011 sees the return of the Food Group's popular 'Ask A Food Scientist': your chance to ask an expert any food-related question!

Three top UK scientists were recognised at SCI's International Honours Presentation on 12 November 2009.

'Ask a Horticultural Scientist' ran from 15-22 May 2011, and was your chance to ask your questions on professional crop production and protection and other horticultural issues via the SCI forums.

Joanne Lyall represents SCI on the UK Chemicals Stakeholder Forum which advises the UK government on managing risks to the environment and to health that may result from the production, distribution and use of chemicals.

Is there a scientific basis for concern over human-induced climate change? This was the subject of the first Public Evening Lecture of 2011, entitled 'The challenge of climate change', given by Sir Brian Hoskins. A soundtrack of the lecture is now available

The College of Scholars was established to help current SCI scholars make the most of the opportunities the SCI scholarships provide

On 16 September 2010, SCI hosted a free Public Evening Lecture featuring Fred Pearce, who is currently the environment consultant of New Scientist magazine and a regular contributor to British newspapers.

Prof David Philips presented a lecture on the subject of light - from sun damage to photo-medicine as part of SCI's Public Lecture Series. The overheads can be downloaded here, and you can also listen to audio.

Sir John Beddington, Chief Scientific Adviser to the Government has told SCI he values its recent paper on biorenewables through anaerobic digestion, and said it will assist government departments in formulating an Anaerobic Digestion Action Plan.

Originally billed as two presentations on the Shale Oil and Coal Tar industries, the evening had to be modified due to the tragic death of one of the intended speakers, Andrew Ainsworth, earlier this year. Alec Thomson kindly volunteered to go solo concentrating on the Scottish Shale Oil Industry 1850-1964. Nestled in the huge refinary complex at Grangemouth, the Ineos Exhibition Centre was an apt venue for this presentation.

A profile of the newest members of SCI's governance: Dr Brian Iddon, Professor K Clive Thompson and Dr Roger Gilmour

SCI provides opportunities for some of the brightest people in the world to exchange ideas and gain new perspectives on markets, technology, and people, SCI Honorary President Dr Stephanie Burns says in a video shown at the 7 July 2010 AGM.

GM Food was the subject of the third in the SCI's series of public lectures and took place on 2 December 2010.

Dr Geoff Fowler reports

In the six months since Joanne Lyall was appointed Executive Director of SCI, she has launched a new business plan for 2011-13.

Joanne Lyall joined SCI as Executive Director on 21 June 2010

SCI and Wiley announce the launch of a new online journal dedicated to the management of greenhouse gases through capture, storage, utilisation and other strategies.

On 9 November 2010, the Membership Advisory Committee held its annual Members' Forum, chaired by Dr Geoff Fowler

SCI members are not impressed with the BBC's coverage of science and think it is neither impartial nor accurate, according to a survey carried out in September 2010.

In this period of substantial public sector cuts the Chancellor has recognised the fundamental role science will play in economic recovery.

We are all aware of dust caused by industrial processes, but are perhaps less aware of the considerable amount of airborne dust created by nature.

Food scientists from the Food Commodities and Ingredients Group answer questions from SCI members and the general public on subjects ranging from cooking and nutrition, to vegetarianism and food safety.

Dean Francis is a trained environmental scientist and professional environmental consultant focusing on environmental monitoring and risk management. He recently became a member of SCI and participated in the Environment and Health and Safety Groups' consultation on BS 8580 Risk Assessment for Legionella as an exhibitor.

The management of contaminated land involves identifying risks arising from the presence of contaminants, in order that appropriate action can be taken before a site is developed.

The advantages of anaerobically digesting waste, and using the biogas as an energy source and the digestate to improve soil.

Seligman Fellow Eliana Fissore is currently in North Wales working on a project in the Centre for Water Soluble Polymers at Glyndwr University under the supervision of Prof Peter A Williams.

Lampitt Medallist and Chairman of the Membership Advisory Committee Dr Geoff Fowler says he likes to give as much as he can and not admit defeat.

Educationalist Sir David Harrison, SCI member and former chairman of the Awards Committee, talks about his perception of science in education, the media and today’s quality of teaching

REACH is an EU-led initiative to test all chemical substances imported or manufactured in quantities of over one ton in the EU by 2018.

Diane Wood started out as an SCI Member and now works for the Society providing support and customer care.

The global financial crisis has reduced access to credit, combined with a sharp decline in demand for durable goods – both of which have impacted the chemical industry.

SCI, the society established nearly 140 years ago to link science with business in the application of scientific innovation, has recognised three top UK scientists in the International Honours announced on 12 November 2009.

In July 2009, SCI entered into a broader strategic alliance with the American Chemical Society (ACS) to advance chemistry-based knowledge and address global issues of mutual interest and benefit to our members.

SCI provided very valuable resources for my career, Dr Melling tells Members News

More than 50 SCI members attended the Members’ Forum held on Wednesday 25 November 2009

SCI and its publishing partner John Wiley and Sons are launching a new range of books.

SCI’s website now features a poll on the homepage, where users can vote to express their opinions on a variety of issues.

It could be said that this waving, drowning or emerging figure represents the global chemical industry as delegates heard at the SCI Summit, since some companies are suffering badly while others are making the best they can, and others even seeing some improvement.

The Young Chemist in Industry symposium is an annual, one-day meeting, which represents a unique opportunity for younger chemists to showcase their industrial research to an external audience.

Stephanie Burns, CEO and Chairman of Dow Corning and new Honorary President of SCI, talks about her experience leading a corporation where innovation is paramount. She also discusses SCI's role in driving knowledge transference in the chemical industry, CSR initiatives and innovative ideas for the future of SCI involving community engagement and mentoring of young scientists.

Have you ever read a news story based on science that concerns you?

Sue talks about her experiences with teaching science to boys and girls, and particularly about her efforts to encourage girls into the field.

An alliance between SCI, the Society of Dyers and Colourists and the Oil and Colour Chemists’ Association will deliver reciprocal benefits to members of all three organisations

SCI is always happy to welcome new volunteers and members to the Society.

On Thursday 11 and Friday 12 September 2008, SCI ran two ‘workshop and best practice sharing’ events, open to all Treasurers, Secretaries and Chairs of Regional Interest (RIG) and Technical Interest Groups (TIG).

The main aim of SCI is to bring members together and an online forum can help us do this through the web.

The third SCI Members' Forum 2009 took place on 25 November at SCI HQ, London.

On Monday, 28 September 2009, SCI will be hosting a one-day ‘Volunteer Workshop and Best Practice’ day for the Honorary Chairmen, Secretaries and Treasurers of all its UK-based Interest Groups.

Palm oil is the world’s most widely produced and traded vegetable oil and a feedstock for biodiesel. Indonesia and Malaysia dominate production and have done much to make the oil so important, but have also come under criticism for the destruction of tropical rainforest.

Do the slogans 'from plough to plate' or even, 'from field to forecourt' mean anything to you? If so, there are around a thousand SCI members who share your interests in agriculture, food, feed, fuel or fibre.

In the mid-1990s, the UK's Office of Science and Technology published a series of recommendations about the future of British science and technology. Expert panels from fifteen business sectors produced recommendations and identified futuristic scenarios for life in 2015.

William Hudson, is a member of the Horticulture Group and has been involved with horticulture for many years. He has developed specific expertise with innovative soft fruit production systems and an astute view of the ways in which existing food distribution and marketing systems have damaged British production.

Dr Henry Wainwright's Real IPM Company specialises in crop protection. Established in Kenya in 2003, it focuses on promoting ‘integrated pest management’ (IPM) crops, reducing pesticide use by producing and selling biocontrol agents.

In January 2000, the UK Government announced the decision to suspend the concept of a pesticide tax in favour of a partnership approach with the agrochemical industry – producers, advisers and farmers. The package of measures, later named the Voluntary Initiative (VI), was implemented in April 2001

Eighty three delegates met at Syngenta’s Jealott’s Hill Research Station on Wednesday 9 September 2009 to hear seven internationally acclaimed scientists speak about the future of agricultural research.

Special reduced subscription for SCI members

John Farmer joined Borax Consolidated Limited's research centre in Chessington, Surrey as a ‘bench chemist,’ working in the environmental area and on the fundamental properties of boron compounds, and eventually became managing director of the centre.

BS 10175: Investigation of Potentially Contaminated Sites - Code of Practice was held at SCI HQ, London on Wednesday 14 July 2010, Organised by SCI's Environment Group and Health and Safety Group.

Organised by SCI’s Science & Enterprise Group, Environment Group, Yorkshire & the Humber Group, Fera, and CIWEM Tyne & Humber Branch, 'The Water Framework Directive: What are the Business Opportunities?' was held on Thursday 25 March 2010 at Fera, York, UK.

Organised by SCI’s Science & Enterprise Group, Environment Group, Yorkshire & the Humber Group, Fera, and CIWEM Tyne & Humber Branch, 'Biorenewable Fuel and Fertiliser: Realising the Potential' was held on Wednesday 24 March 2010 at Fera, York, UK.

B5 8580: Risk Assessments for Legionella Control was held at SCI HQ, London on Thursday 8 April 2010, Organised by SCI's Environment Group and Health and Safety Group. Over 120 delegates attended to give feedback on the BS 8580 which will supplement the documented returns from the public comment stage of the standardisation process.

‘Opportunities for enhancing your business with green chemistry’ took place on 2 December 2009 at the King’s Manor, University of York

The Yorkshire water sludge phyto-conditioning (SPC) process seminar was held on 15 May 2007 at the Esholt Conference Centre, Shipley, West Yorkshire, UK.

 Recently-appointed IPCC member Professor Jim Skea spoke to the SCI Thames and Kennet Regional Group on the risks from, and possible solutions to, man-made climate change.

The 7th Science and the Parliament event was held on 28 November 2007, once again in Our Dynamic Earth, Edinburgh. The topic was Energy and Climate Change.

The Annual North of England Young Scientists Research Competition was held at Manchester Metropolitan University (MMU) on Tuesday 24 March 2009.

The three day ‘International conference on water status monitoring of aquatic ecosystems in the context of the water framework directive (WFD)’ was held in Lille, France, from 12 - 14 March 2007.

The revised BS 1427 Guide to on-site test methods for the analysis of waters, published in January 2009, describes on-site tests for characterising the tested water for quality or process control.

The environment is central to every activity of the chemical and allied industries, as well as most other major technology sectors. The Group endeavours to enhance all aspects of professional awareness on environmental matters.

The Environment Group has contributed to the development of British, European and International standards

Energy from Waste was held at Lancaster Environment Centre on 18 June 2009, and organised by the Environment and Process Engineering Groups

The UK's carbon footprint is over 500 million tonnes of carbon dioxide per year. How much of that footprint is made by the travel industry? And how much by industries that build transport infrastructure?

SCI’s Canada Group organised its 2009 annual awards ceremony and dinner on Thursday, 26 March 2009, at the Sheraton Centre Toronto Hotel.

At a Cambridge and Great Eastern regional meeting Professor Elizabeth Morris OBE, gave a fascinating and topical talk: ‘Arctic Science in the International Polar Year 2007/8’.

The 2009 SCI Plant of the Year Award was won by VEOLIA Environmental Services for its Woodlawn Bioreactor.