Here's yet another reason I wish I had an iPhone rather than another brand "smartphone" -- The American Chemical Society (ACS) just launched an iPhone application for its Molecule of the Week (MOTW). It's also available on the iPod Touch and the just-released iPad.If you're not familiar with MOTW, it's a quiz that gives you a clue about a molecule and you must guess which molecule it is. According to the ACS website, "Many molecules are suggested by chemists and chemistry enthusiasts. Every structure is reviewed by a scientist and displayed in 3-D and flat images with a brief description.Each week’s molecule also links to a sample record from the CAS Registry, which is searched using SciFinder. Each record displays the registry number, index name and synonyms, bibliographic information, and more."
From allicin (the molecule responsible for the odor of crushed garlic) and ascorbic acid (vitamin C) to xylitol (the sugar substitute) and zingerone (which gives ginger a hot taste), there are always fascinating molecules that relate chemistry to everyday life. To download the app, visit: www.acs.org/motwapp.
Are there any other apps out there that make your life as a chemical processing professional easier or more fun? If so, please let me know – I'd like to highlight the best apps. AND I'd love to know of any apps that are compatible with other smartphones!
Traci Purdum
Senior Digital Editor