"Green chemistry": os 12 princípios da química verde e sua inserção nas atividades de ensino e pesquisa

Green chemistry ¾ defined as the design, development, and application of chemical processes and products to reduce or eliminate the use and generation of substances hazardous to human health and the environment. This article summarizes the 12 principles of green chemistry, describing how they have been applied to the academic, industrial and research activities around the world.

Recensión al libro ANDORNO, Roberto, Bioética y dignidad humana, Tecnos, Madrid, 2012, 177 pp.

Recensión al libro de Roberto Andorno, Bioética y dignidad humana, en el cual el autor, actualmente investigador de la Facultad de Derecho de Zurich, y exmiembro del Comité Internacional de Bioética de la UNESCO, nos ofrece la segunda edición de este interesante ensayo que ya fue publicado en 1998, acerca de los fundamentos de la bioética, el concepto de persona, las consecuencias de determinadas visiones utilitaristas de la ciencia, realizando un recorrido acerca de los dilemas bioéticos que se presentan en los diversos momentos de la vida de la persona.

A natureza pedagógica da experimentação: uma pesquisa na licenciatura em química

In this paper we discuss the characteristics of experimental activities described by teachers and students in a teaching credentials course in Chemistry. The research pointed out a set of characteristics that seem to favor the learning process: the bringing up of the student's knowledge; the mediation by peers; the dialogue to set out the student's knowledge; the debate; the validation of arguments; the discussion about the context. The authors argument that, because of the empirical view of Science present in Chemistry courses, the discussion about the nature of Science is important.

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.

Bioètica de la TMS en nens i adolescents

L'estimulació magnètica transcranial -TMS- és una tècnica per a l'estimulació no invasiva del cervell, usada sovint com a eina de recerca per estudiar la fisiologia del cervell, però també amb utilitats clíniques i com a eina terapèutica. La bioètica és l'estudi de les qüestions ètiques sorgides de les noves situacions i possibilitats dels avanços en biologia i medicina i es fonamenta en quatre principis: autonomia, beneficència, no maleficència i justícia. En aquest treball s'apliquen aquests principis a la tècnica concreta de la TMS per al cas de nens i adolescents.

Implantação de um programa de gerenciamento de resíduos químicos e águas servidas nos laboratórios de ensino e pesquisa no CENA/USP

The aim of this work is to establish a program for the treatment of chemical residues and waste waters at the Centro de Energia Nuclear na Agricultura (CENA/USP), for environmental preservation and training of staff. Five tons of stored residues and the ones currently generated in the laboratories have to be treated. Rational use of water is also part of the program. The traditional purification by distillation has been replaced by purification with ion exchange resins. Lower energy consumption and better water quality were achieved.

"Spin-Off" acadêmico: criando riquezas a partir de conhecimento e pesquisa

Technology companies created from University research are known as "Academic Spin-Off" (ASO). These innovative companies play an important role for the technological, economical and social development of a country. This work discusses some aspects of ASO companies and their importance to Universities. It is also presented a fictitious history of Prof. João, a chemical researcher who will create an ASO company from his academic research work illustrating the basic steps involved in this process.

Informação de patentes: ferramenta indispensável para a pesquisa e o desenvolvimento tecnológico

As technological information is published mainly as a patent, it is fundamental for the country development to know the patent system. In this article it is presented basic information on intellectual property, in special on patent. It is showed the structure of the patent documents, and it is given notions on International Classification and patent data banks.

Contribuição à organização da pesquisa em Química e os desafios da interação com outras áreas do conhecimento

This article provides some aspects that allow making a current reading of the situation of the Brazilian Chemistry that permit us considerate it as a strategic area. They are still presented some initial proposals related to the organization of the research as well as to win the challenges of the relationship with the other areas of the knowledge.

Interfaces e organização da pesquisa no Brasil: da Química à Nanotecnologia

Nanotechnology can be viewed as a powerful tool, capable of shaping the chemistry of atoms and molecules, converting them into exciting nanosized and nanostructured materials, devices and machines. However, in pursuing this task, an exceptional ability is required to deal with complex inter- and multidisciplinary approaches, as imposed by the nanoscale. A new research organization framework, capable of promoting cooperative interactions in many complementary areas, including the industries, is demanded. In this sense, an interesting example are the nanotechnology networks and millenium institutes recently created in Brazil. The highlights and weakness of such cooperative research networks are discussed, in addition to relevant nanotechnology themes focusing on the special needs and resources from the developing nations.

Organização de pesquisa no Brasil: lições do passado, propostas para o futuro

Chemical research in Brazil has grown significantly in the past 20 years, largely thanks to the Brazilian S&T Development Program of the federal government (PADCT). However, the newly achieved levels of highly qualified manpower and research infra-structure require new research organization frameworks to make science, technology and innovation really useful and meaningful for the citizens. The current requirements for creating viable networks of academic and industry researchers are presented and discussed as well as some structural and procedural bottlenecks that have to be eliminated, to achieve maximum high-quality science, technology and relevant innovation output.

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.

A indústria de processamento químico no Brasil: suas motivações para pesquisa e desenvolvimento e suas interfaces com as políticas governamentais

As the Chemical Science is an experimental one a Chemical Industry require technical people in all its staff level: from Directors and Managers to Operators. This chemical and chemical engineering based education is the foundation of the innovate process and motivation. The paper discusses this and the role of Public Policies to improve the R&D and innovation in the Brazilian Chemical Industry.

Biotecnologia, bioètica i envelliment

Una de les obsessions humanes més antigues és semblar eternament jove. Els antics egipcis ja utilitzaven olis i elixirs amb aquesta finalitat. El desenvolupament de les tècniques de cirurgia plàstica ha suposat un espectacular avenç en els tractaments antienvelliment. La biotecnologia promet portar la frontera d'aquests tractaments encara més lluny; tant, que diverses associacions de bioètica ja han fet una crida a la reflexió [...].