Memories of Noyes Lab
One of the memories that I have of Noyes Lab was
fixed upon me shortly after my arrival to the U of I in 1973.
Some of the new graduate students who had not yet selected an
advisor were assigned desk space in the bowels of the basement
of Noyes Lab. The rooms were poorly lighted, stuffed with old
wooden furniture, and the floors were poured, uneven concrete.
In one place, you could see a pile of dirt behind a fenced-off
area. I'm sure that these amenities added quaintness and character
to the building, but to most of us it was a big incentive to quickly
select an advisor.
My favorite memory of Noyes Lab is the beautiful
woodwork throughout the building and also the high ceilings. This
is a building with character and timeless beauty. In some ways,
it was like working in a museum. It is definitely true that they
don't build them like that anymore.
David House, Ph.D. organic chemistry,
1978.
==========================================
Biography
David W. House, Ph.D., received his bachelor's
degree in chemistry from the University of North Carolina at Charlotte
in 1973 and his doctorate in organic chemistry from the University
of Illinois (Urbana-Champaign) in 1978. He joined UOP LLC in 1978
and is currently an R&D Associate in the Applications Science
Skill Center, which is part of the UOP Research Center. David's
current focus is developing novel catalytic processes for the
oxidation of hydrocarbons.
David has also directed the research effort at
UOP for both cellular and non-cellular polyurethane and polyurea
applications since 1985. This area involves the investigation
and development of novel components for polyurethanes and polyureas;
an example being the development of a new series of light-stable,
aliphatic diamines for polyurethane and polyurea coatings. In
addition, his work includes the use of molecular sieves as additives
in polymers and the use of heterogeneous catalysis to carry out
organic syntheses. Previous work covers the development of a new
series of electrically conducting polymers, a method for the large-scale
diastereomeric separation of optical isomers of aminoacids and
alcohols, and the design of new chiral stationary phases for the
liquid chromatographic separation of optical isomers.
David is a member of Sigma Xi, the American Chemical
Society, the Organic Chemistry Division of the American Chemical
Society, and the International Zeolite Association. He is the
author or co-author of 43 U.S. patents and more than 35 scientific
papers. David is listed in Marquis Who's Who In Science and
Engineering and The Society of Plastics Engineers and Technomic
Publishing's Who's Who in Plastics and Polymers.
David is also the co-founder and Post Advisor
of the UOP Explorer Post, which is chartered as part of the Learning
for Life Division of the Boy Scouts of America. The Post introduces
high school students to careers in chemistry and chemical engineering
and is beginning its 11th year. Over the years, David has served
in many scouting positions, including Cubmaster and Scoutmaster.
As an adult scouter, David has received several awards for his
service to youth, including the Silver Beaver Award and the District
Award of Merit.
As of 20 August 2001
