A solvent is a liquid that dissolves a solid, liquid, or gaseous solute, resulting in a solution. The most common solvent in everyday life is water. The term organic solvent refers to most other solvents that are organic compounds and contain carbon atoms. Solvents usually have a low boiling point and evaporate easily or can be removed by distillation, thereby leaving the dissolved substance behind. Solvents should therefore not react chemically with the dissolved compounds — they have to be inert. Solvents can also be used to extract soluble compounds from a mixture, the most common example is the brewing of coffee or tea with hot water. Solvents are usually clear and colorless liquids and most of them have a characteristic odor. The concentration of a solution is the amount of compound that is dissolved in a certain volume of solvent. The solubility is the maximal amount of compound that is soluble in a certain volume of solvent at a specified temperature.

Common uses for organic solvents are in dry cleaning (e.g. tetrachloroethylene), as paint thinners (e.g. toluene, turpentine), as nail polish removers and glue solvents (acetone, methyl acetate, ethyl acetate), in spot removers (e.g. hexane, petrol ether), in detergents (citrus terpenes), in perfumes (ethanol), and in chemical syntheses.

Polarity, solubility, and miscibility

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L.A. Times - Science

Researchers produce blood in lab from stem cells
Wed, 20 Aug 2008 00:00:00 -0700
The discovery marks a technical advance but has a long way to go before it can be considered an alternative to donor blood. Scientists said Tuesday that they had devised a way to grow large quantities of blood in the lab using human embryonic stem cells, potentially making blood drives a thing of the past.
Scientists elaborate on the case against Bruce Ivins
Tue, 19 Aug 2008 00:00:00 -0700
One revelation is that, contrary to what some officials had claimed, the mailed anthrax had not been 'weaponized.' Scientists behind the case against Bruce E. Ivins, who federal officials allege was solely responsible for the deadly anthrax mailings of 2001, publicly described their work for the first time Monday and said the spores had originated from a flask linked by investigators to the deceased Army scientist.
Hospitals fined for violations
Tue, 19 Aug 2008 00:00:00 -0700
State acts against facilities -- five in O.C. -- for incidents that placed patients in serious jeopardy. Eighteen California hospitals have been fined by the state for violating laws regarding quality care for patients, the state public health department announced Monday.

Reuters: Science News

"Bigfoot" was rubber gorilla costume
Wed, 20 Aug 2008 02:51:41 -0400
LOS ANGELES (Reuters) - No wonder Bigfoot failed a DNA test. Researchers said on Tuesday the hairy heap claimed by two men to be the corpse of the mythical half-ape, half-human creature was actually a full-body rubber gorilla costume.
Stem cells could allow "blood farms," company says
Tue, 19 Aug 2008 15:37:02 -0400
WASHINGTON (Reuters) - Embryonic stem cells can be used to grow vats of red blood cells, which could lead to the creation of "farms" that could provide limitless sources of blood, U.S. researchers reported on Tuesday.
Stem cell test to help treat bowel cancer
Tue, 19 Aug 2008 20:18:33 -0400
LONDON (Reuters) - Stem cell scientists have developed a new and more accurate way of spotting aggressive forms of bowel cancer, allowing for tailored treatment that should improve patients' chances of survival.

AP Top Science News At 2 a.m. EDT

NASA fixes moonship shaking with shock absorbers
BY SETH BORENSTEIN Wed, 20 Aug 2008 00:01:28 -0000
WASHINGTON (AP) -- A space-age version of the rusty springs under old pickup trucks will help NASA fix the most pressing technical problem with its high-tech new rocket to send astronauts back to the moon....
Stem cell advance may help transfusion supplies
By MALCOLM RITTER Tue, 19 Aug 2008 19:13:47 -0000
NEW YORK (AP) -- Scientists say they've found an efficient way to make red blood cells from human embryonic stem cells, a possible step toward making transfusion supplies in the laboratory. The promise of a virtually limitless supply is tantalizing because of blood donor shortages and disappointments in creating blood substitutes....
Group says climate resolutions increase
By TIM HUBER Wed, 20 Aug 2008 05:58:27 -0000
CHARLESTON, W.Va. (AP) -- Support for climate-change proposals may be growing among investors in big U.S. companies....

NOVA scienceNOW | PBS

NOVA scienceNOW: Phoenix Mars Lander
NOVA Mon, 28 Jul 2008 13:00:00 -0500
NASA's latest robot has already found frozen water and is looking for more signs that the Red Planet could support life.
NOVA scienceNOW: Brain Trauma
NOVA Mon, 28 Jul 2008 13:00:00 -0500
Even so-called "mild" head injuries turn out to be anything but.
NOVA scienceNOW: Mammoth Mystery
NOVA Mon, 28 Jul 2008 13:00:00 -0500
A pair of mammoth skeletons is found locked together by their tusks. What happened?

Newsweek Technology Headlines

Of Sludge and Salad: Wastewater Greens the World's Gardens
Tue, 19 Aug 2008 03:14:52 -0000
You might want to hold your nose for this one.
1-800-CALL-DAD
Mon, 18 Aug 2008 00:00:00 -0000
A new service lets other motorists notify parents how their teens are driving.
Digital Hide and Seek
Thu, 14 Aug 2008 00:00:00 -0000
Are you ready for social mapping?

Innovation

Google and Apple climb the customer-satisfaction polls
cgaylord Tue, 19 Aug 2008 21:56:24 -0000
Google and Apple are at the top of their game and rising even higher, according to a survey of American attitudes toward brands. The University of Michigan posted its 2008 American Customer Satisfaction Index (ACSI) this morning. Among the six manufacturing and e-business industries, Google and Apple hovered above the competition. In the search-engine category, Google scored [...]
Back-to-school laptop report card
cgaylord Mon, 18 Aug 2008 21:25:59 -0000
Unlike most electronics, laptop computers enjoy two big retail seasons: the usual winter holidays and a bigger bump during the back-to-school weeks. PCs are a crucial tool for many college kids. And the ability to throw a cheap but powerful laptop into a book bag and head to the library (or at least escape a [...]
US to convert coal for jets
at-a-glance Mon, 18 Aug 2008 19:12:03 -0000
Click on the thumbnail to see the full image. . . . . .

Science News - UPI.com

Swiss researchers develop stem cell line
Wed, 20 Aug 2008 00:24:56 -0400
GENEVA, Switzerland, Aug. 20 (UPI) -- Researchers in Switzerland have developed a line of stem cells, using a window provided by the legislature for research involving human embryos.
FDA tests 'personalized medicine'
Tue, 19 Aug 2008 23:54:49 -0400
WASHINGTON, Aug. 19 (UPI) -- Medco Health Solutions is working with the U.S. Food and Drug Administration to determine how a patient's genes determine reactions to medicine.
Early rising creates Japanese nationalism
Tue, 19 Aug 2008 19:05:00 -0400
CAMBRIDGE, England, Aug. 19 (UPI) -- A British study suggests a Japanese government-supported trend for arising early each day might be symptomatic of a revival of nationalism.

 

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