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Chemistry News

Read article: 25th Sylvia M. Stoesser Lecture: Dr. Brandi Hudson, principal scientist in computational chemistry
25th Sylvia M. Stoesser Lecture: Dr. Brandi Hudson, principal scientist in computational chemistry
On her path to becoming a pharmacist, Brandi Hudson discovered her passion for chemistry in an organic chemistry class. Encouraged by her professors, she decided to change her major. Gaining hands-on experience in organic chemistry research during her senior year further solidified her interest in...
Read article: Chemistry alumnus to receive College of LAS Alumni Award
Chemistry alumnus to receive College of LAS Alumni Award
Seven alumni of the College of Liberal Arts & Sciences will receive recognition during the college’s 2025 alumni awards at a celebration in April. They are researchers, volunteers, and political thinkers who have made incredible impacts in their fields and communities.  One of the seven is...
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Read article: Chemistry professors awarded prestigious Sloan Fellowships
Chemistry professors awarded prestigious Sloan Fellowships
Three Illinois scientists are among 126 recipients of the 2025 Sloan Research Fellowships from the Alfred P. Sloan Foundation. According to the foundation, the awardees represent “the very best of early-career science,...
Read article: Nicholas E. Jackson selected as a 2025 Cottrell Scholar
Nicholas E. Jackson selected as a 2025 Cottrell Scholar
Research Corporation for Science Advancement, America's first foundation dedicated wholly to science, has named 16 early career scholars in chemistry, physics, and astronomy as recipients of its 2025 Cottrell Scholar Awards, including Illinois chemistry faculty...
Read article: Minecraft players can now explore whole cells and their contents
Minecraft players can now explore whole cells and their contents
Scientists have translated nanoscale experimental and computational data into precise 3D representations of bacteria, yeast and human epithelial, breast and breast cancer cells in Minecraft, a video game that allows players to explore, build and manipulate structures in three dimensions. The...

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Black and white photo of steel pump cans containing whip cream.

Spotlight: Charles Getz and Aerosol Whip Cream

Spray whip cream or “Instantwhip” was invented at the University of Illinois during the depression by Charles Getz, a graduate student in the Chemistry Department and student of Professor George Frederick Smith. Getz found that milk would foam if pressurized carbon dioxide (CO2) was forced into it and the pressure release. Getz found that the carbon dioxide altered the taste of the whip cream. After numerous experiments, Getz and Smith discovered that nitrous oxide was the solution to the problem because it did not change the taste. This led to the development of instant whip cream in a...