Augustana University SD - Chemistry & Biochemistry Department-

10/22/2026

Some late but funny pictures of our students presenting at the Sioux Valley Fall Research Symposium!!!

10/08/2026

Let’s mirror….

This year's in Chemistry was awarded for research which helps chemists make just one of a molecule's pair of mirror images 🪞 This is hugely useful in making medicinal molecules, and also gives us insights into why biological molecules are formed from single mirror-image building blocks

10/07/2026

It is all about “structure” ⚛️

10/07/2026

The Nobel Prize in Chemistry 2026 results from a long chain of ideas, of which the first link was forged in the mid-19th century. It all began with Louis Pasteur investigating a substance that is important for w**e production: tartaric acid.

Pasteur looked at most of what he wanted to study through his microscope. When his colleagues claimed that tartaric acid sometimes bent polarised light to the right, but at other times did not affect the light at all, his interest was piqued. He grew crystals of tartaric acid and examined them under his microscope – and he discovered that they existed in two variants, each the other’s mirror image. Using tweezers, he divided them up and dissolved them separately. When he sent polarised light through the liquids, one bent the light to the right and the other to the left. If he combined the liquids, the light was unaffected.

This experiment provided chemists with the insight that some substances occur in two mirrored variants. Eventually, these substances came to be called chiral, and the two molecules that are each other’s mirror images enantiomers.

The 2026 Nobel Prize in Chemistry has been awarded to Henri B. Kagan and Kenso Soai “for the discovery of non-linear effects and autocatalysis in asymmetric organic synthesis.”

Learn more
Press release: https://bit.ly/4gWk4Qh
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09/23/2026

🍣 🍱 🇯🇵

Did you know the wasabi in most sushi restaurants isn't wasabi? Or that a chemical synergy between dried seaweed and raw fish enhances sushi's savoury flavours?

Learn more about sushi science with this infographic, as requested by my sushi-mad seven-year-old 🍣 https://wp.me/s4aPLT-sushi

09/21/2026

Our students and faculties participated at Sioux Vally Fall Research Symposium!!!

09/11/2026

SMAC kick off party was a success and a surprise celebration for Dr Duffy!!!

09/05/2026

What an honor to call Dr Duffy OURS.

The ACS Fellows Program was created by the ACS Board of Directors in December 2008 "to recognize members of the ACS for outstanding achievements in and contributions to Science, the Profession, and the Society." The honor of a Fellow designation is bestowed on ACS members who have achieved excellence in two defined areas - scientific/professional accomplishments and service to the ACS.

Photo credit to EPNAC.com

08/31/2026

Join SMAC for a fun afternoon of games, food and some yummy treats!!!

08/27/2026

First day of class means also Safety Training for our TAs. Fire training, Safety training, pizza and first quiz of the year!!! Cheers to a wonderful new academic year.