Oceans produce one of the largest global natural sources of aerosol in the form of sea spray aerosol (SSA) particles which therefore play a large role in global climate dynamics. SSA particles are enriched in ocean-derived organic compounds, specifically surfactants, which influence the chemical properties of SSA and the potential for SSA particles to become cloud seeds.

With some 150 million objects (including living specimens) in its collection that have been selected for conservation and are available for study, the interests of the Smithsonian Institution fill every niche. Though material analysis is needed to support all manner of research, it may be more important to the museum and other interested parties that rare, precious, or culturally sensitive objects remain un-damaged. Mass spectrometry in its various forms presents a powerful tool, but it is inescapably destructive at some level.

With globalization and the spreading availability of technologies, nuclear proliferation challenges continue to grow and evolve. Savannah River National Laboratory (SRNL) works to counter proliferation by providing scientific and technological solutions, as well as expert advice to combat emerging threats.

Photoredox catalysis has emerged as an integral fraction of modern organic methodology.[1] Since the early 2000’s there has been a renewed interest in photochemistry, with photoredox catalysis utilizing visible light becoming a rapidly expanding field.