Laboratório de resíduos químicos do campus USP-São Carlos: resultados da experiência pioneira em gestão e gerenciamento de resíduos químicos em um campus universitário

A novel and unique in a brazilian university experience for rigorous handling of chemical residues of research and teaching is described. The activities since 1998 of a laboratory for the adequate treatment and recovery of chemicals at the São Carlos Campus of the University of São Paulo are summarized. The necessity of environment conscience future professional is enhanced.

Relato de uma experiência pedagógica no ensino de química: formação profissional com responsabilidade ambiental

The toxic heavy metals can not be transformed in other less toxic substances as organic wastes through chemical process. Various chemistry courses at Faculty of Philosophy, Sciences and Humanities (FFCLRP/USP) use heavy metals in their experimental classes. In this context, a course were created: "Heavy Metal Wastes generated in the teaching and research laboratories: disposal or recovery" and has a specific goal to capacitate the students to define the adequate strategy for disposal or recovery of the chemical wastes, in particular heavy metals, through an interdisciplinary approaching. This course was given to 25 students during the second semester of 2000 and 2001. The environmental responsibility desired for the professional and citizen can be promoted.

Programa de pesquisa em produtos naturais: a experiência da CEME

The Brazilian effort on R&D of products from the national biodiversity dates back to the 70's. The Central de Medicamentos - CEME - was tailored to add scientific and technological competence to the production of pharmaceutical drugs derived from the Brazilian biodiversity by means of the Research Programme on Medicinal Plants - PPPM. Although previous to the Convention on Biological Diversity - CBD - and to the current debate and the ever-growing interest on phytomedicines, CEME has historical importance in the present governmental efforts on fostering the R&D on phytomedicines. This article makes a historical redemption of the PPPM, the actions and the results in the course of its existence.

A evasão nos cursos de graduação de química: uma experiência de sucesso feita no Instituto de Química da Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro para diminuir a evasão

The problem of the dropping out of the graduate chemistry courses is not new in the Brazilian University. What are the principal factors for this dropping out? Are there rules to measure this dropping out? In this work we present our experience in the Chemistry Institute of the Federal University of Rio de Janeiro to deal with this problem.

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.

Estudo do comportamento fotocrómico de um naftopirano: uma experiência simples ilustrativa do fotocromismo

An easy experiment on the synthesis of 3,3-diphenyl-3H-naphtho[2,1-b]pyran and characterization of its photochromic behaviour is reported. Upon irradiation of an uncoloured toluene solution of 3,3-diphenyl-3H-naphtho[2,1-b]pyran with near UV light, an intense yellow colouration is produced due to the formation of two coloured open forms. When the irradiation source is removed the coloured open forms return to the uncoloured state. The analysis of the absorbance decay with time allows the determination of the discoloration rate constants of each open form. The reversibility of the photochromic phenomenon, well demonstrated by the exposure of the solution to sunlight for a few seconds, is particularly attractive to the students.