A inovação tecnológica e o avanço científico: a química em perspectiva

Some general features about the role of Science and Technology in the modern western civilizations are discussed, emphasizing those related to Chemistry. The discussion is centered on the social regulation of technological and scientific institutions and on the way this regulation takes place in response to social demands. Finally, some new trends are presented about the Brazilian chemistry courses and how the local educational authorities intend to modernize them.

A química do estanho no século 18, ou como uma consulta se transformou num projeto de pesquisa

An ominous suspicion arose in France in the second half of the 18th century, that household tin objects might be contaminated with arsenic. Charged with the task of studying and deciding the question, the chemists Pierre Bayen and Louis Charlard set up a comprehensive research project, which resulted in a book describing the whole enterprise. It is very gratifying to analyse this work today, for the many lights it sheds on the way chemistry was practised and reasoned at the time, and for the whiff of modernity we are presented with.

Síntese dos analgésicos paracetamol e fenacetina e do adoçante dulcina: um projeto para química orgânica experimental

A synthesis of artificial sweetener dulcin starting from nitrobenzene was elaborated for undergraduate organic laboratory course. Paracetamol and phenacetin, both physiologically active analgesic compounds, were also prepared as intermediates. Besides a large scope of discussion subjects related with organic synthesis, interesting lectures about analgesics and sweeteners may also be performed in this project. The advantage of this project is the adaptability according to the conditions offered by the course, i.e., convenience and/or availability of time and reagents.

Utilizando o monitoramento ambiental para o ensino da química: pedagogia de projeto

The article shows how the monitoring of the water quality can be utilized in an inter-disciplinary pedagogical project involving Analytical Chemistry, Biochemistry and Microbiology making the apprenticeship more dynamic and consolidating the link between the student and the community.

A questão da inovação em fármacos no Brasil: proposta de criação do programa nacional de fármacos (Pronfar)

Medicines are essential instruments to the preservation, maintenance and promotion of Health. The access to the medicine represents an important factor of social inclusion, depending on the availability of the pharmaceutical - active principle contained in the medicine that in 85% of the cases has a synthetic origin. In this scenario the importance of knowing how to make pharmaceuticals and medicines plays a significant role for the viability of the autonomous Health politics necessary for the demands of the major Nations. In this context, this work describes concisely the main aspects involved in the interdisciplinary drug discovery process, identifying the possible gorges for the successful development of innovative drugs in Brazil.

Aspectos e fatores da produtividade em pesquisa, desenvolvimento e inovação

Comparison of national budgets for R&D is often made but it should consider the relative productivity and their factors. In Brazil, inefficiency factors as well as their causes have been diagnosed since the late 60's and solutions have been proposed within various governmental organisms, from CNPq to the strategy think tanks. Problems that hinder R&D and innovation in Brazil are reviewed from a historical perspective together with the proposed solutions providing a detailed analysis of the difficulties that have to be overcome to achieve a more effective innovation environment, adequate for the present times, challenges and opportunities.

Inovação tecnológica e produção no setor químico

Innovation is the main tool for competitiveness and growth in the chemical sector and the main factors for innovation activities in industry as well as the innovation dynamics are discussed in this paper. Success indicators of innovation in Oxiteno are the following: 54% of the current production derives from RD&E projects, 11% of the gross margin in the internal market is due to new products, the company is a technology licensor, holding 17 patents and keeping a strong participation in the production and service sales in the high technology catalysts area, beyond its core petrochemicals and surfactants area.

O Quadrante de Ruetsap e a anti-ciência, tecnologia e inovação

The concept of research and the controversy among classical models for C, T & I, outdated by the development of knowledge and Post-modern society needs were revisited through the (3) Quadrants advanced by Donald Stokes in the mid-nineties. The scientific community to fit into these Quadrants was faced with many difficulties and reacted by issuing pseudo-facts, accepted by under-prepared technocrats as viable justifications for conducting research in face of these new paradigms. In a poor country full of contrast and needs such as Brazil, this attitude satisfies the bureaucracy and academic elite, but frustrates government and society, that do not get, in the expected measure, the benefits of their commitment with the Teaching, Research and Extension Sectors mainly embedded in the Public University system. An extension, in fact a contradictory approach, to Pasteur's Quadrant, is proposed to characterize this situation: The Syndrome of Ruetsap's Quadrant.

A importância do observatório de atividades industriais vis-à-vis tendências em ciência, tecnologia e inovação

Given that innovation is fundamental for competitiveness, and that it is intrinsically linked to knowledge, it has become essential to foster effective interaction between the Brazilian productive sector and universities and R&D centers. This interface should be created by means of the model used in developed countries: Observatory of Industrial Activities and Trends in Science, Technology and Innovation. The present work describes its main functions, using examples of activities undertaken by the Chemical Industry Information System of the Federal University of Rio de Janeiro related to production systems of primary and high-tech industries, examining the diffusion of knowledge to decision-makers.

Cromatografando em coluna com resina de almécega: um projeto para química orgânica experimental

The use of natural products to demonstrate the silica gel column chromatography technique is proposed in the present article. It describes the separation of the triterpenes alpha- and beta-amirin from the diol breine and maniladiol, obtained from almécega resin (Protium heptaphyllum March.). The experiment uses an accessible material, was accomplished in 4 h, and can be applied with success an the experimental course of organic chemistry for undergraduate students.

De resíduo a insumo: a construção do caminho para uma química mais limpa através de um projeto de ensino

The discussion among teachers, students, and technicians about the destination of residues from chemistry laboratories led to a research project whose results were incorporated into a course in its daily practices. The treatment of the residues from argentimetric practices allowed us to establish cognitive relations of technological basis and of those related to the rising of the level of awareness about environmental aspects and social responsibility of chemistry professionals. The techniques and the results, from the economic point of view, namely that of value aggregation (metallic silver) and the conversion of the residue into input (potassium chromate solution) are shown.