I love separation science, since it amuses me no end. As the coffee stain still lurks at my desk, reading through this article, the stain will be a mainstay at my laboratory. Okay, the hygiene issues will linger. Scientists at Harvard, California and Stanford universities have come up with use of coffee ring effect. A chromatography method that uses the same physics as the coffee stain: It separates nanometer- and micrometer-scale particles by size as a droplet dries. 

Being a follower of IYC 2011, I was completely aware of the goals and purpose of the events taking place and getting the coveted IYC tag and grants too. However, this one email made me rethink. Valentine's Day is around the corner and I was also aware of the fact that scientists are lovers too, but organizing an IYC 2011 event out of it was a plan that never even crossed my mind-even my wildest imagination would make me refrain from such issues, if any. 

2011 is Chemistry's year, sharing its limelight with another international celebration - forests. The International Year of Chemistry (popularly abbreviated as IYC 2011) is an excellent window of opportunity for chemists, chemical educators, chemical scientists all over the globe. As the celebration involves sharing of ideas and later brainstorm them into understanding to a wider audience is already ongoing at various societies like the ACS, RSC and other related organisations. 

A witty scientist friend of mine asked me," What can an atom and a void can do with us?"
I replied, "Atomic world lies far below and since we cannot see the atoms, their movements, atoms and void have escaped you and me