Topic, "The Periodic Table"

Hi. This month we will have a fascinating discussion at our Cafe Sci at 7PM on Wednesday 2 November, at Taste, in College Park.

The periodic table is an amazing tool that provides the ability to predict chemical properties. Scientists often take it for granted. We will undertake a guided tour of the periodic table from its humble beginnings with just a little over 60 elements to today's table with 118 elements and counting. The layout we are familiar with is much different from the original and even today alternative depictions are being developed.

Dr. Richard Blair earned his B.S. in Chemistry and Mathematics from Hope College in Holland, MI. He has an MS in Physical Chemistry from UC Berkeley and a Ph.D. in Inorganic Chemistry from UCLA. He worked at NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory on the next generation of thermoelectric power modules for spacecraft.

In 2007, he accepted a position as assistant professor of Chemistry and Forensic Science at UCF. His work at UCF has expanded on a synthetic technique utilized at JPL where mechanical force is used to induce a chemical reaction--mechanochemistry. His current research is focused on biofuels, greener syntheses, and forensic identifications of illicit substances.

Directions

Taste
717 W. Smith Street
Orlando, United States
32804

Taste is near the corner of Princeton Street (really Smith Street after the fork) and Edgewater Drive, so about 2 minutes from I-4 to parking. One can park on the street or in the parking lot behind Taste.

From Downtown and south, drive north ("east") on I-4 through downtown. At the exit for Princeton Street, exit and turn left/west.
From Altamonte Springs and north, drive south ("west") on I-4 toward downtown Orlando. At the exit for Princeton Street, exit and turn right/west.

From I-4, drive a few blocks to Edgewater Drive. At the intersection, you should see a orange building ahead of you, labeled "Taste". Park on the street or behind Taste.

Themed Drink

We have access to a full bar, and it can be difficult to order while someone is speaking, so Chad is playing with the idea of an easy-to-order themed drink for each topic. Of course, our Cafe Sci remains open to people of all ages.

This month's drink is the White Russian. 5 parts vodka, 2 parts coffee liqueur, 3 parts fresh cream, served pver ice in an Old Fashioned glass. While Dmitri Mendeleev was Russian, the drink is not. (If you're dressing as a character from "The Big Lebowski" for Halloween, you pretty much have to come dressed in costume, now. Sorry.)