Focus on science and technology says Jamaican chemist

[Islandman]

Morant Bay alum doing his thing.


Daraine Luton, Senior Staff Reporter

A JAMAICAN chemist, who was part of a group of researchers at IBM that recently created a new class of plastics known in the scientific world as polymers, has urged the country to focus more on science and technology.

The material developed by Dr Gavin Jones, who hails from St Thomas, and his team could deliver cheaper, lighter, stronger, and recyclable materials ideal for the electronics, aerospace, airlines, and automotive industries, and he believes that Jamaica has the talent that could deliver similar breakthroughs in other areas.

http://jamaica-gleaner.com/gleaner/2...ead/lead7.html

[Don1]

noice!!

[Islandman]

Great story, especially hearing from his mother who is understandably on toof the world in recent weeks.

You know me haffe go link him, but going to wait till things settle down a bit.

Btw when is the best times to give you a shout?

[myYout]

Big tings, love it, an dat is correct sir chemist, science an technology fi lead di way, ah dat di Govt fi focus pan, fi real.

[Assasin]

seen a little big of that material at work. Good to know is a yard man on it.

Big up to him and he is spreading good words. Congrats sah.

[Don1]

Great story, especially hearing from his mother who is understandably on toof the world in recent weeks.

You know me haffe go link him, but going to wait till things settle down a bit.

Btw when is the best times to give you a shout?

mi deh bout tonite

[HL]

Morant Bay alum doing his thing.


Daraine Luton, Senior Staff Reporter

A JAMAICAN chemist, who was part of a group of researchers at IBM that recently created a new class of plastics known in the scientific world as polymers, has urged the country to focus more on science and technology.

The material developed by Dr Gavin Jones, who hails from St Thomas, and his teamcould deliver cheaper, lighter, stronger, and recyclable materials ideal for the electronics, aerospace, airlines, and automotive industries, and he believes that Jamaica has the talent that could deliver similar breakthroughs in other areas.

http://jamaica-gleaner.com/gleaner/2...ead/lead7.html

I guess the chemistry behind the product is beyond the scope of the article.

The discovery of polymers is one of the greatest (accidental) invention.....

Significant progress have been in polymer chemistry. Polyethylene and nylon are two examples [dif. in mol.wgt.].

Any improvements in this area of chemistry is a plus. Especially from a bi0degradable perspective.

Example:

Corn-starch is NOW a biodegradable base substitute for Styrofoam (polystyrene). The natural base application over the synthetic styrofoam is grossing millions of dollars.

Hope Dr. Gavin Jones have the business aspect of this invention locked up in patents.

Good job!!!

[Assasin]

if he does he is having a bath. I suspect that it was done for a company though.

[HL]

Yes. I remember having to sign a Intellectual Property contract worksheet (of sorts) every year with the last company i worked. Giving them all rights and privileges to any original ideas or discovery.....

[Tilla]

Hope Dr. Gavin Jones have the business aspect of this invention locked up in patents.

I am sure it is. The sad part is, he may be mentioned on the patent, but the benefit and ownership is that of his employer IBM.

So many other polymers in everyday use. Some I can think of of the top of my head:
Polypropylene (PP) - Used to make "jinks bokkle"
Polystyrene - Styrofoam
Polytetrafloroethylene or PTFE - The Teflon used to coat pots
Polyester - Sass used to use this to make "lengths" back in the day.
Polyinyl Chloride (PVC) - Used for garden hose, pipes for electrical conduits etc. Some even use it for sidings for homes.
And who can forget this one:
Terylene - I understand that my good friend Karl still has a three piece suit made of this polymer material.

[Assasin]

"Polyester - Sass used to use this to make lengths back in the day. "


LOL

[Hortical]

I understand his suggestion that we focus on science & technology. Jamaica should really focus on the basics, reading, writing & math.

[Don1]

I understand his suggestion that we focus on science & technology. Jamaica should really focus on the basics, reading, writing & math.

Yes focus on that if we wish to remain backward..... as it appears we do

[HL]

I understand his suggestion that we focus on science & technology. Jamaica should really focus on the basics, reading, writing & math.

I agree with you Hortical One!

Not saying the the science and technology focus is not an imperative....

Two weeks ago I was in Jamaica. Two primary school boys asked me for a lift. I gave them a lift.

While driving I said to both boys...'so I take it that both of you are bright boys'.

"Me no suh bright sah" said one boy. The other agreed.

"So why you nuh bright" i asked.

The both blamed it on the teacher.

I spoke to the boys at length as saw that they were not very literate.

I mentioned in a previous post that my eyes welled up with tears when i visited an All-age school and saw the apalling learning conditions>>>>>>>.

Much more i could say on this topic...but suffice it to say that yes... we should push science and technology, but more so Jamaica MUST do much more to improve it's literacy rate.

[Rudi]

Hope Karl added some wool to that terylene. Man of distinction never just wear soso terelyne seen.