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The University of Southampton
Chemistry

Celebrating the International Year of the Periodic Table

Published: 22 November 2019
Int'l Year of the Periodic Table

An outdoor film projection by the Royal Society of Chemistry (RSC) on Friday 22 November lit up Building 85 on Highfield Campus as part of the University of Southampton’s celebration of Chemistry Week.

Inspired by the International Year of the Periodic Table (IYPT) and with the aim of showcasing the Periodic Table, the film highlighted the importance of precious elements. The fact that several of them are becoming increasingly scarce, including Arsenic and Silver, provoked numerous discussions. It is vital that old tech devices, such as phones and computers that use elements such as Yttrium and Gallium, are reused and recycled if we are to avoid these elements running out completely.

Some 400 people participated at an outreach event alongside the projection. They had the chance to experience some Electrochemistry “gold fingerprinting” and the theme of the Chemistry of Mulled Wine (tasting, aromatic oil extracts). Children designed their own elements to make a team periodic table (colouring on large post-its and assembling them on a glass window). Team members Dr Jo Corsi and Tom Wakelin had promoted and discussed the event in an interview on Radio Solent the day before.

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