Instrumentation for a Better Tomorrow

On November 15, 2004, the National Academies sponsored a symposium at the Beckman Center in honor of Arnold O. Beckman. The symposium concentrated on the wide-ranging practical applications of scientific instrumentation as was the focus of much of Arnold Beckman's career. The report begins with two presentations: a remembrance by Arnold Beckman's daughter, Pat, and an overview of his life and accomplishments by Arnold Thackray, President of the Chemical Heritage Foundation. The next section contains presentations on the application of instrumentation in seven, diverse areas: organic chemistry, molecular and systems biology, synchrotron x-ray sources, nanoscale chemistry, forensics, and clinical medicine. Finally, there is a summary of a panel discussion on the evolving relationship between instrumentation and research.Table of Contents Front Matter PART I - A Daughter's Remembrances--Pat Beckman Finding the Sweet Spot of Opportunity--Arnold Thackray PART II - A Lifetime of Experience in the Growth of Modern Instrumentation for Organic Chemistry--John D. Roberts Molecular and Systems Biology--Leroy Hood Compelling Science and Synchrotron X-ray Sources--Gabrielle G. Long Chemistry at the Nanoscale Frontier--Chad Mirkin Nanoscale Science and Engineering--Michael L. Roukes Forensic Science and Technology--Robert E. Gaensslen Clinical Medicine--T. Vincent Shankey PART III - The Evolving Relationship Between Instrumentation and Research--A Panel Discussion The Arnold and Mabel Beckman Center of the National Academies