2016 Nobel Prize in Chemistry - Molecular Machines

2016 Nobel Prize in Chemistry - Molecular Machines The 2016 Nobel Prize in Chemistry is awarded to Jean-Pierre Sauvage (University of Strasbourg, France), Sir J. Fraser Stoddart (Northwestern Univeristy, Illinois, USA), and Bernard L. Feringa (University of Groningen, the Netherlands) for the design and synthesis of molecular machines. What Are Molecular Machines and Why Are They Important? Molecular machines are molecule that move in a certain way or perform a task when given energy. At this point in time, miniscule molecular motors are at the same level of sophistication as electric motors in the 1830s. As scientists refine their understanding of how to get molecules to move in certain way, they pave the future for using the tiny machines to store energy, make new materials, and detect changes or substances. What Do The Nobel Prize Winners Win? The winners of this years Nobel Prize in Chemistry each receive a Nobel Prize medal, an elaborately decorated award, and prize money. The 8 million Swedish krona will be split equally between the laureates. Understand the Achievements Jean-Pierre Sauvage laid the groundwork for the development of molecular machines in 1983 when he formed the molecular chain called catenane. The significance of catenane is that its atoms were linked by mechanical bonds rather than traditional covalent bonds, so the parts of the chain could be more easily opened and closed. In 1991, Fraser Stoddard moved ahead when he developed a molecule called a rotaxane. This was a molecular ring on an axle. The ring could be made to move along the axle, leading to the inventions of molecular computer chips, molecular muscles, and a molecular lift. In 1999, Bernard Feringa was the first person to devise a molecular motor. He formed a rotor blade and demonstrated he could make all of the blades spin in the same direction. From there, he moved on to design a nanocar. Natural Molecules Are Machines Molecular machines have been known in nature. The classic example is a bacterial flagellum, which moves the organism forward. The Nobel Prize in Chemistry recognizes the significance of being able to design tiny functional machines from molecules and the importance of making a molecular toolbox from which humanity can build more intricate miniature machines. Where does the research go from here? Practical applications of nanomachines include smart materials, nanobots that deliver drugs or detect diseased tissue, and high-density memory.

The Math of Simple Debt Amortization

The Math of Simple Debt Amortization Incurring debt and making a series of payments to reduce this debt to nil is something you are very likely to do in your lifetime. Most people make purchases, such as a home or auto, that would only be feasible if we are given sufficient time to pay down the amount of the transaction. This is referred to as amortizing a debt, a term that takes its root from the French term amortir, which is the act of providing death to something. Amortizing a Debt The basic definitions required for someone to understand the concept are:1. Principal: The initial amount of the debt, usually the price of the item purchased.2. Interest Rate: The amount one will pay for the use of someone elses money. Usually expressed as a percentage so that this amount can be expressed for any period of time.3. Time: Essentially the amount of time that will be taken to pay down (eliminate) the debt. Usually expressed in years, but best understood as the number of an interval of payments, i.e., 36 monthly payments.Simple interest calculation follows the formula:​  I PRT, where I InterestP PrincipalR Interest RateT Time. Example of Amortizing a Debt John decides to buy a car. The dealer gives him a price and tells him he can pay on time as long as he makes 36 installments and agrees to pay six percent interest. (6%). The facts are: Agreed price 18,000 for the car, taxes included.3 years or 36 equal payments to pay out the debt.Interest rate of 6%.The first payment will occur 30 days after receiving the loan To simplify the problem, we know the following: 1. The monthly payment will include at least 1/36th of the principal so we can pay off the original debt.2. The monthly payment will also include an interest component that is equal to 1/36 of the total interest.3. Total interest is calculated by looking at a series of varying amounts at a fixed interest rate. Take a look at this chart reflecting our loan scenario. Payment Number Principle Outstanding Interest 0 18000.00 90.00 1 18090.00 90.45 2 17587.50 87.94 3 17085.00 85.43 4 16582.50 82.91 5 16080.00 80.40 6 15577.50 77.89 7 15075.00 75.38 8 14572.50 72.86 9 14070.00 70.35 10 13567.50 67.84 11 13065.00 65.33 12 12562.50 62.81 13 12060.00 60.30 14 11557.50 57.79 15 11055.00 55.28 16 10552.50 52.76 17 10050.00 50.25 18 9547.50 47.74 19 9045.00 45.23 20 8542.50 42.71 21 8040.00 40.20 22 7537.50 37.69 23 7035.00 35.18 24 6532.50 32.66 This table shows the calculation of interest for each month, reflecting the declining balance outstanding due to the principal pay down each month  (1/36 of the balance outstanding at the time of the first payment. In our example 18,090/36 502.50) By totaling the amount of interest and calculating the average, you can arrive at a simple estimation of the payment required to amortize this debt. Averaging will differ from exact because you are paying less than the actual calculated amount of interest for the early payments, which would change the amount of the outstanding balance and therefore the amount of interest calculated for the next period.Understanding the simple effect of interest on an amount in terms of a given time period and realizing that amortization is nothing more then a progressive summary of a series of simple monthly debt calculations should provide a person with a better understanding of loans and mortgages. The math is both simple and complex; calculating the periodic interest is simple but finding the exact periodic payment to amortize the debt is complex.