Brew and Chew

Ian Phillips 0428 858 272

Spring is in the air and everywhere, although increasingly less so in our step than formerly. And with the Spring comes racing, replacing footy but with the prospect of cricket to come. And one supposes the climax to Formula 1 and the McLaren rivalry – the economics of that circus defy comprehension, particularly to those of us who have trouble with more than three noughts at the end of any equation. Ever more, the remote aspects of abstract thought eludes us. Nevertheless, we are happy that an Australian, and particularly one with an age profile we can appreciate, shared the Nobel Prize for Chemistry.

In case you missed it, the award, (accordingly to the Nobel Web-site for Dummies), was for:

“..the development of a new type of molecular architecture. The constructions they created – metal–organic frameworks – contain large cavities in which molecules can flow in and out.”

And this was cooked up by Richard Robson 50 years ago while at Melbourne Uni trying, as best I can see, to create rigid structures that resemble three-dimensional crochet.

These it is said “were quite rickety and tended to fall apart”: at least we can understand that!

However, his idea found some root, over many years. One of his fellow prize-winners, Susumu Kitagawa, stated he followed an important principle: to try to see “the usefulness of useless.”

Now that is comforting thought as we survey the accumulation of stuff in our view and in our minds and in our sheds, et al.

But all will be clear at the forthcoming meeting of Brew & Chew - at the Camberwell library at 10.00am on November 26th, the fourth Wednesday as always.

For further information and input, contact me by mobile or irp@alphalink.com.au

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